Is it allowed to make a U-turn at a red light intersection?
1 Answers
If the U-turn signal is red, you must wait to make a U-turn; otherwise, it will be considered running a red light. According to the "Road Traffic Safety Law," this violation incurs a penalty of 6 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. However, if the gap is marked with a solid line, the U-turn must cross the pedestrian crossing and is subject to the left-turn signal. Making a U-turn directly without adhering to these rules may result in being photographed or penalized by on-site traffic police. When making a U-turn across a pedestrian crossing, yielding to pedestrians is required: If pedestrians are on the right side of the crosswalk and have not reached the centerline of the road, vehicles on the left side must slow down and proceed only after ensuring safety. If pedestrians are waiting outside the boundary of the motorized and non-motorized lanes and have not entered the roadway, vehicles should slow down and proceed after ensuring safety. If pedestrians cross the boundary between motorized and non-motorized lanes, vehicles failing to stop and yield are committing a violation and should be penalized. If pedestrians enter the motorized lane from the crosswalk, vehicles must slow down and proceed after ensuring safety. Failing to yield is a violation and should be penalized. If pedestrians are waiting at the centerline without entering the motorized lane, vehicles failing to yield are committing a violation and should be penalized. If pedestrians cross the centerline into the motorized lane, vehicles failing to 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 after ensuring safety. Cases 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 without obstructing other vehicles or pedestrians. If there is no explicit prohibition of U-turns or left turns, a U-turn is allowed. This means the intersection has no "No U-turn" or "No Left Turn" signs, and the centerline is not solid. U-turns are also allowed in yellow grid zones. While stopping in these zones is prohibited, U-turns are permitted unless there is a central barrier. If there is a U-turn signal light, follow its instructions—only proceed on green. If "No Left Turn" and "U-turn Allowed" signs coexist, U-turns are permitted, but left turns are not. Note that "No U-turn" does not equate to "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 spot. If there is a "No Left Turn" sign, U-turns are also prohibited, even if "No U-turn" is not explicitly stated, as U-turns involve left-turn 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 allowed at that intersection. Always yield to oncoming traffic when making a U-turn. Proceed only if it does not interfere with their right of way; otherwise, you bear full responsibility for any accidents. Near the intersection stop line, 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 not permitted in such cases.
