Is it unnecessary to wait for traffic lights when making a U-turn?
2 Answers
If 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. You can make a U-turn directly without affecting other normally moving vehicles and ensuring your own safety. If the gap is marked with a solid line, then making a U-turn requires crossing the pedestrian crossing and is subject to traffic signals. If you need to cross the pedestrian crossing to make a U-turn, you must yield to pedestrians: Pedestrians walking on the right side of the road's crosswalk, not reaching the centerline of the road. Vehicles driving on the left side of the road should slow down and ensure safety before proceeding through the crosswalk. Pedestrians waiting outside the boundary line between motorized and non-motorized lanes. If they have not entered the road, vehicles should slow down and ensure safety before proceeding through the crosswalk. If pedestrians cross the boundary line between motorized and non-motorized lanes, vehicles failing to stop and yield are committing a traffic violation and should be penalized. Pedestrians waiting at the centerline of the road without entering the vehicle lane. Vehicles failing to stop and yield are committing a traffic violation and should be penalized. Pedestrians crossing the centerline of the road and entering the vehicle lane. Vehicles failing to stop and yield are committing a traffic violation and should be penalized. If the road is divided by a green belt in the middle, and pedestrians are waiting in the stopping area of the road center, vehicles must slow down and ensure safety before proceeding through the crosswalk. Cases where U-turns are allowed: If there is a U-turn sign at the intersection, you can make a U-turn: If there is a clear U-turn sign at the intersection, you can make a U-turn. If there is a U-turn signal light, you must follow its instructions. If there is no signal light, you should make a U-turn based on the specific situation without obstructing other vehicles or pedestrians. If the intersection does not explicitly prohibit U-turns or left turns, you can make a U-turn: If there is no explicit prohibition of U-turns at the location, you can make a U-turn. Here, "no explicit prohibition of U-turns" means that as long as there is no "No U-turn sign," "No left turn sign," or solid centerline at the intersection, you can confidently make a U-turn. U-turns are also allowed in yellow grid zones: Yellow grid lines are actually no-stopping grid lines marked at intersections prone to congestion due to temporary parking, entrances of important institutions, and other necessary locations. Any vehicle stopping on the no-stopping grid line (including waiting for traffic lights) is committing a traffic violation. Although vehicles cannot stop in the yellow grid zone, they can make U-turns there. As long as there is no central barrier in the yellow grid zone, it is equivalent to "U-turns allowed." If there is a U-turn signal light at the intersection: This is easy to understand. If there is a U-turn signal light, you must follow it—only proceed when the light is green. If "No left turn" and "U-turn allowed" signs appear simultaneously: U-turns are allowed, but left turns are prohibited. However, "No U-turn" is not equivalent to "No left turn." Things to note when making a U-turn at an intersection: Observe the road markings. If they are solid lines, U-turns are not allowed under any circumstances. You should continue driving forward to find a suitable location for a U-turn.
I always thought U-turns didn't require waiting for red lights because some areas seemed empty. Once in the city center, I was in a hurry and made a U-turn running a red light, almost hitting pedestrians who were crossing the road. Since then, I've learned: vehicles making U-turns must obey traffic lights—it's a basic requirement of traffic rules. Unless there's a dedicated U-turn lane or signal allowing it at the intersection, you must stop. Violating this isn't just dangerous; you might also get caught on camera and fined several hundred yuan. On highways, extra caution is needed due to blind spots and higher risks. In short, safety comes first—only by obeying traffic signals can you protect yourself and others. When driving normally, I pay special attention to signs and signals to develop good habits.
