Is it allowed to reverse at a traffic light intersection?
2 Answers
Reversing at a traffic light intersection is not allowed and constitutes a traffic violation. According to the regulations in the Road Traffic Safety Law Implementation Ordinance: When reversing a motor vehicle, the driver should observe the situation behind the vehicle and confirm safety before reversing. Reversing is prohibited at railway crossings, intersections, one-way roads, bridges, sharp curves, steep slopes, or tunnels. When there is a conflict between traffic signals and police gestures, motor vehicle drivers must obey the on-site command of the traffic police. If a driver runs a red light due to police on-site command, they can obtain a traffic flow adjustment certificate from the local traffic police brigade to avoid penalties. If the party disagrees with the penalty, they can appeal through administrative reconsideration or administrative litigation.
After years of driving, I know very well that reversing at a traffic light intersection is absolutely not recommended. The main reason is safety concerns. Intersections have dense traffic flow, and if you suddenly reverse, vehicles behind may not react in time, leading to a rear-end collision, and it can also disrupt traffic from the left and right directions. According to traffic rules, this behavior is generally prohibited and may result in a ticket or points deduction. I've seen someone accidentally reverse before, which ended up blocking the entire intersection. If you accidentally stop in the wrong position, such as realizing you're in the wrong lane when the light turns green, the correct approach is to continue forward or wait until the next green light to pass through the intersection, then make a U-turn or adjust your direction in a safe area. Regularly reviewing the driving manual can help avoid such issues. Remember, reversing at an intersection is high-risk and could also harm pedestrians. It's better to prioritize driving out of the intersection first and then adjust your route.
