Reasons for No U-Turns at Railroad Crossings
2 Answers
Railroad crossings prohibit U-turns because they can easily cause accidents. Here is some information about illegal U-turns: 1. Making an illegal U-turn is a violation of traffic laws, specifically the prohibition signs, and will result in a fine and a deduction of 3 points from the driver's license. 2. Article 7 of the "Procedures for Handling Road Traffic Violations" states: Traffic police officers who discover minor violations that do not affect road traffic or safety should verbally inform the violator of their offense. 3. The "Implementation Regulations of the Road Traffic Safety Law" thus stipulates that "motor vehicles are prohibited from making U-turns at locations with no U-turn or no left-turn signs or markings."
Having driven for many years, I believe the prohibition of U-turns at railway crossings is primarily for safety reasons. Trains travel at high speeds with exceptionally long braking distances, making emergency stops nearly impossible. If a vehicle is making a U-turn and gets stuck on the tracks, it can easily be hit by an oncoming train, leading to severe consequences. This rule is legally established to protect the lives of drivers and passengers, while also preventing traffic congestion, as railways have priority passage. During normal driving, visibility at railway crossings is often limited, and poor weather conditions further obscure approaching trains. Additionally, the act of making a U-turn itself disrupts normal traffic flow and increases the risk of accidents. From my experience, adhering to this regulation significantly reduces casualty rates, especially near busy intersections. In case of emergencies, it's always safer to detour or find a secure open space to turn around rather than taking unnecessary risks.
