Is it permissible to reverse when there's insufficient space for a U-turn at an intersection?
2 Answers
Reversing is allowed when a U-turn cannot be completed. The U-turn should be initiated at the position of the foremost line. In terms of right-of-way, reversing vehicles have the lowest priority and must yield to any vehicles approaching from behind. Precautions for reversing: Reversing is more challenging than forward driving, primarily due to limited visibility, making it difficult to clearly see the road and obstacles behind. Additionally, during reversing, the rear wheels become the leading wheels, and the front wheels become the trailing wheels, altering the subjective perception and the control points for steering. Consequently, reversing maneuvers may feel less intuitive, convenient, flexible, and precise compared to driving forward. When reversing, always check for oncoming vehicles and pedestrians in front and behind, signal your intention to reverse, and sound the horn to alert other vehicles and pedestrians. Maintain a steady pressure on the accelerator pedal, keeping the speed below 5 km/h, and avoid sudden speed changes to prevent stalling or dangerous situations caused by excessive reversing force. Continuously monitor your progress through the rear windshield and mirrors, and adjust the steering as needed to prevent scraping the front or rear of the vehicle.
As an experienced driver, I think reversing when there's not enough space for a U-turn at an intersection is absolutely unacceptable - it's too risky! Intersections are high-traffic areas where your slow reversing movement might catch following drivers off guard, easily leading to rear-end collisions. I once saw someone attempt this at a city crossroads and end up scraping a streetlight - the insurance company refused to cover it. When reversing, there are many blind spots; if a pedestrian suddenly appears or you get caught by traffic police, at best you'll face fines and penalty points, at worst it could cause a serious accident. Safety first - my advice is to simply abandon the U-turn if space is insufficient, drive forward to find a wider section of road or gas station for a safe turn. Don't risk saving a few minutes. Developing the habit of observing your surroundings and planning routes in advance can prevent such awkward situations.
