Is the U-turn gap affected by red lights?
4 Answers
If the gap is marked with dashed lines, the U-turn is not affected by traffic signals and does not require crossing the pedestrian crossing. You can make a U-turn directly as long as it does not interfere with other normally moving vehicles and ensures your own safety. If the gap is marked with solid lines, then the U-turn must cross 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 who have not reached the centerline of the road. Vehicles on the left side of the road should slow down and proceed with caution, ensuring safety before passing the crosswalk. Pedestrians waiting outside the boundary line between motorized and non-motorized lanes. If they have not entered the roadway, vehicles should slow down and proceed with caution, ensuring safety before passing the crosswalk. If pedestrians cross the dividing line between motorized and non-motorized lanes, vehicles that do not stop and yield are committing a traffic violation and should be penalized. After pedestrians enter the motorized lane via the crosswalk, vehicles should slow down and proceed with caution, ensuring safety before passing the crosswalk. If vehicles do not stop and yield, it is a violation and should be penalized. Pedestrians waiting at the centerline of the road without entering the motorized lane. If vehicles do not stop and yield, it is a violation and should be penalized. Pedestrians crossing the centerline of the road and entering the motorized lane. If vehicles do not stop and yield, it is a violation and should be penalized. If the road is divided by a green belt, pedestrians waiting in the middle of the road must be yielded to. Vehicles should slow down and proceed with caution, ensuring safety before passing the crosswalk. Scenarios where U-turns are allowed: Intersections with U-turn signs: If there is a clear U-turn sign at the intersection, a U-turn is permitted. If there is a U-turn traffic light, follow its instructions. If there is no traffic light, make the U-turn based on the specific situation, ensuring it does not interfere with other vehicles or pedestrians. Intersections without explicit no-U-turn or no-left-turn signs: If there is no explicit prohibition against U-turns, they are allowed. 'No explicit prohibition' means there are no 'no-U-turn' or 'no-left-turn' signs, and the centerline is not solid. In such cases, U-turns are permitted. U-turns are also allowed on yellow grid lines: Yellow grid lines indicate no-parking zones, typically placed at intersections prone to congestion due to temporary parking, important facility entrances, or other necessary locations. Parking on these lines (including waiting for traffic lights) is a violation. However, while parking is prohibited, U-turns are allowed on yellow grid lines unless there is a central barrier. If 'no-left-turn' and 'U-turn allowed' signs appear together: U-turns are permitted, but left turns are prohibited. Note that 'no U-turn' is not the same as 'no left turn.' Things to note 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 location for a U-turn. If there is a 'no-left-turn' sign ahead, even if there is no explicit 'no-U-turn' sign, U-turns are not allowed at that intersection because 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, U-turns are not permitted at that intersection. Always yield to straight-moving vehicles before making a U-turn. If you interfere with their normal movement, you will bear full responsibility for any accidents. Near the intersection stop line, lanes usually have guiding arrows. The leftmost lane does 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.
I've been driving for over a decade and often encounter this issue in the city. Whether a U-turn gap is affected by red lights depends on the specific situation. According to China's traffic regulations, most intersections prohibit U-turns during red lights because vehicles are not allowed to proceed when the light is red, and making a U-turn is considered a form of proceeding. Unless there's a specific sign, such as one stating 'U-turn permitted when red light is on,' it's not safe. Once, I made a U-turn at a red light on a main road and nearly collided with an oncoming vehicle, and I was also warned and fined by a traffic officer. Since then, I've been more cautious—I stop and wait for the green light at red lights, regardless of whether there's a U-turn gap. Safety comes first; don't rush or take shortcuts—just make it a habit. Additionally, some intersections have special designs, such as arrow signals or sensors, so extra attention is needed to avoid misjudgment. Now when I drive, I always remind myself: if it's not permitted, don't move—protect your life.
From the perspective of traffic regulations, the basic answer to whether a U-turn gap is subject to red lights is yes. The Road Traffic Safety Law stipulates that vehicles are prohibited from passing when the red light is on, which includes U-turn maneuvers. Unless there is a specific sign at the intersection allowing U-turns on red, you should stop as soon as the red light appears. Why is that? Making a U-turn often involves facing oncoming traffic or pedestrians, which can easily lead to collisions. When I drive, I always check whether the traffic signal applies to my lane; if it's an independent gap without a signal, it might be free, but most are synchronously controlled. I advise fellow drivers not to attempt a U-turn during a red light without first checking for any permitting signs. The safe driving rules emphasize that such negligence can result in point deductions, fines, or worse—accidents. In short, obeying the red light rules is paramount.
Making a U-turn at a red light is far too risky, and I believe it's absolutely not worth taking the chance. While some U-turn gaps may have independent settings, most are still governed by the red light. If you start a U-turn as the light turns red, oncoming vehicles might accelerate towards you, leading to severe consequences. I've encountered similar cases where a friend was fined and their car was damaged, leaving them full of regret. From a safety perspective, it's best to always stop and wait at a red light until it turns green and you can confirm the road conditions are safe before proceeding. Developing good habits to prevent accidents is simple yet effective.
