Is It a Violation to Make a U-Turn When the U-Turn Signal Is Red?

[SanFelix]

Making a U-turn when the U-turn signal is red is a violation. According to the "Road Traffic Safety Law," it carries a penalty of: 6 demerit points and a fine of 200 yuan. If the gap is marked with a dashed line, the U-turn is not affected by the traffic signal, nor does it require crossing the pedestrian crossing. If the gap is marked with a solid line, then the U-turn must cross the pedestrian crossing and is subject to the traffic signal. Making a direct U-turn in this case would be considered running a red light, which may result in being photographed or penalized by on-site traffic police. When making a U-turn that requires crossing the 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 of the road should slow down and proceed only after ensuring safety. If pedestrians are waiting outside the boundary line between 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) via 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 median area, vehicles must slow down and proceed only after ensuring safety. Permissible U-turn situations: If an intersection has a U-turn sign, a U-turn is allowed. If there is a U-turn signal light, follow the signal's instructions. If there is no signal light, make the U-turn based on the specific situation, ensuring it does not interfere with other vehicles or pedestrians. If an intersection does not explicitly prohibit U-turns or left turns, a U-turn is allowed. "Not explicitly prohibiting U-turns" means the intersection has no "No U-turn" or "No Left Turn" signs, and the centerline is not solid. In such cases, a U-turn is permitted. 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 parking, important entrances, or other designated areas. Stopping in these zones (including waiting for traffic lights) is a violation. However, U-turns are allowed in yellow grid zones as long as there is no central barrier, effectively making them "U-turn permitted" areas. If an intersection has a U-turn signal light, follow the signal—only proceed on green. If "No Left Turn" and "U-turn permitted" signs appear together, U-turns are allowed, 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: Check the 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 there is no explicit "No U-turn" sign, U-turns are not allowed at that intersection, as U-turns inherently involve a left turn. U-turns must be made from the innermost left-turn lane. If you are in the second left-turn lane, a U-turn is not permitted at that intersection. Always yield to oncoming traffic when making a U-turn. Proceed only if it does not interfere with the normal flow of traffic; otherwise, you will bear full responsibility for any accidents. Near the stop line at intersections, lanes often have guiding arrows. The leftmost lane may not always have a left-turn arrow. If it has a straight arrow, U-turns are prohibited even if there are no explicit "No U-turn" signs.

[Mitchell]

When it comes to making a U-turn at a red light, with over 20 years of driving experience, I know for sure that this is absolutely a traffic violation. According to traffic rules, a red light means stop, and a red U-turn signal means no U-turns are allowed. I've seen too many drivers in a hurry to turn around at a red light get caught by cameras—light penalties include a 200-yuan fine, while more severe ones can result in a three-point deduction. The key issue is safety. Think about it: when the light is red, other vehicles are proceeding straight, and your U-turn could easily lead to a collision. Just last year, I witnessed a novice driver cause a minor accident this way. That's why I always remind everyone to obey traffic signals and not rush—otherwise, you're the one who'll suffer. Remember, check the signs and signal colors before making a U-turn; safety is more important than anything else.