Is it a violation to make a U-turn at a red light?
3 Answers
Making a U-turn when the U-turn signal is red is a violation. According to the "Road Traffic Safety Law," it results in: 6 penalty points and a fine of 200 yuan. If there is no U-turn signal, and the gap is marked with a dashed line, the U-turn is not affected by traffic signals and does not require crossing the pedestrian crossing. If the gap is marked with a solid line, the U-turn must cross the pedestrian crossing and is subject to traffic signals. Making a direct U-turn in this case would count as running a red light and may result in being photographed or penalized by on-site traffic police. When making a U-turn that requires crossing a pedestrian crossing, yielding to pedestrians is necessary: If pedestrians are walking on the right side of the crosswalk and have not reached the centerline of the road, vehicles on the left side should slow down and proceed only after ensuring safety. If pedestrians are waiting outside the boundary line of the motorized and non-motorized lanes and have not entered the roadway, vehicles should slow down and proceed only after ensuring safety. If pedestrians cross the boundary line between motorized and non-motorized lanes, vehicles that do not stop and yield are committing a violation and should be penalized. If pedestrians enter the motorized lane (Lane A) from the crosswalk, vehicles in Lane B should slow down and proceed only after ensuring safety. Vehicles in Lane A that do not stop and yield are committing a violation and should be penalized. If pedestrians are waiting at the centerline of the road without entering the motorized lane, vehicles that do not stop and yield are committing a violation and should be penalized. If pedestrians cross the centerline of the road and enter the motorized lane, vehicles that do not stop and yield are committing a violation and should be penalized. If the road is divided by a green belt and pedestrians are waiting in the middle area, vehicles must slow down and proceed only after ensuring safety. Scenarios where U-turns are allowed: If there is a U-turn sign at the intersection, a U-turn is permitted. If there is a U-turn signal light, follow its instructions. If there is no signal light, make the U-turn based on the specific situation without obstructing other vehicles or pedestrians. If there is no explicit "No U-turn" or "No Left Turn" sign at the intersection, a U-turn is allowed. "No explicit prohibition" means the absence of signs like "No U-turn," "No Left Turn," or solid centerlines, in which case a U-turn can be made confidently. U-turns are also allowed in yellow grid zones. Yellow grid lines are no-stopping zones marked at intersections prone to congestion due to temporary stops, important entrances, or other designated areas. Stopping in these zones (including waiting for traffic lights) is a violation. However, U-turns are permitted in yellow grid zones as long as there are no central barriers, effectively making them "U-turn allowed" areas. If there is a U-turn signal light at the intersection, follow its instructions—only proceed on green. If "No Left Turn" and "U-turn Allowed" signs appear together, U-turns are permitted, but left turns are prohibited. Note that "No U-turn" is not the same as "No Left Turn." Precautions when making a U-turn at an intersection: Observe road markings. If they are solid lines, U-turns are prohibited under any circumstances. Continue driving to find a suitable U-turn location. If there is a "No Left Turn" sign, even if "No U-turn" is not mentioned, U-turns are not allowed at that intersection, as U-turns inherently involve left-turning movements. U-turns must be made from the innermost left-turn lane. If you are in the second left-turn lane, U-turns are not permitted at that intersection. Always yield to straight-moving vehicles before making a U-turn. Proceed only if it does not interfere with their normal flow; otherwise, you will bear full responsibility for any accidents. Near intersection stop lines, lanes often have guiding arrows. The leftmost lane may not always have a left-turn arrow—some may have straight arrows. Even without explicit "No U-turn" signs, U-turns are prohibited in such lanes.
A friend asked me about this recently. Having driven for nearly twenty years, I can confirm that making a U-turn at a red light is absolutely a traffic violation—it counts as running a red light. Traffic laws prohibit passing through intersections during red lights, including turning or making U-turns, unless a dedicated green arrow specifically permits it. I remember when I drove a taxi in the city, I often saw drivers making U-turns at red lights being stopped by traffic police, fined 200 yuan with six penalty points deducted, not to mention the wasted time. It also easily leads to accidents, like oncoming straight-moving vehicles suddenly appearing, leaving no time to react. My advice is to be patient while driving—wait for the green light before moving. Safety comes first. Don’t risk saving a few seconds; strict rules exist for everyone’s benefit. Pay attention to intersection signals regularly and develop good habits to avoid trouble.
I often drive my kids to and from school, so I'm very clear about the issue of making U-turns at red lights. It's definitely a violation because a red light means stopping all traffic, including U-turns. Once, I tried it in a hurry and almost hit an electric bike—my heart was racing, and I vowed never to make that mistake again. Violations can lead to points deduction and fines, and in serious cases, they may be recorded in your file, affecting your insurance. I recommend familiarizing yourself with local traffic rules before driving. Generally, if there's a 'No U-turn' sign at an intersection, it's absolutely not allowed. Safety is more important than saving time—just wait for the green light. Develop good habits to protect yourself and your family; don't let small oversights lead to big trouble. Patient driving and obeying traffic signals make life much smoother.
