Is U-Turn Allowed at a Red Light?

[JaxsonDella]

If the U-turn signal is red, you must wait; otherwise, it will be considered running a red light. According to the "Road Traffic Safety Law," this offense carries a penalty of 6 demerit 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. Performing a direct U-turn may result in being photographed or penalized by on-site traffic police. When making a U-turn that requires crossing a pedestrian crossing, yielding to pedestrians is mandatory: If pedestrians are walking 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 ensure safe passage for pedestrians. 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 safely. If pedestrians cross the boundary between motorized and non-motorized lanes, vehicles failing to stop and yield constitute a violation and are subject to penalties. Once pedestrians enter the motorized lane via the crosswalk, vehicles must slow down and proceed safely. Failure to yield is a violation and punishable. If pedestrians wait at the centerline without entering the motorized lane, vehicles failing to stop are in violation and subject to penalties. If pedestrians cross the centerline into the motorized lane, vehicles failing to yield are in violation and punishable. In areas where the road is divided by greenery, vehicles must slow down and proceed safely when pedestrians are waiting in the median. Permissible U-turn scenarios: If an intersection has a U-turn sign, a U-turn is allowed. If there is a U-turn signal, follow its instructions. Without a signal, perform the U-turn safely without obstructing other traffic or pedestrians. If an intersection has no explicit prohibition against U-turns or left turns, a U-turn is permitted. The absence of "No U-turn" or "No Left Turn" signs or solid centerlines means U-turns are allowed. U-turns are also allowed in yellow grid zones. These zones prohibit stopping but permit U-turns unless a central barrier is present. If a U-turn signal is present, follow it—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." Key considerations when making a U-turn: Check road markings—solid lines prohibit U-turns under any circumstances; continue driving to find a suitable location. If a "No Left Turn" sign is present, U-turns are also prohibited, even if not explicitly stated, as U-turns involve left-turn movements. U-turns must be made from the innermost left-turn lane. U-turns from the second left-turn lane are not allowed. Always yield to oncoming traffic when making a U-turn. Interfering with straight-moving vehicles makes you fully liable for any accidents. Lane arrows near intersections guide vehicle movements. The leftmost lane may not always have a left-turn arrow—if it shows a straight arrow, U-turns are prohibited even without explicit signs.