Should a Car Cross the Pedestrian Crossing When Making a U-turn?

[DePaul]

A car should cross the pedestrian crossing when making a U-turn. Although cases of being photographed, fined, or penalized for making a U-turn on a pedestrian crossing are rare, it does not mean this method of U-turn is correct. The regulation requiring vehicles to cross the pedestrian crossing before making a U-turn is to prevent pedestrians or small vehicles from suddenly running a red light or to avoid situations where pedestrians are caught in the middle of the crossing when the light turns red. According to the Implementation Regulations of the Road Traffic Safety Law, motor vehicles are not allowed to make U-turns on pedestrian crossings. However, at intersections without a no-U-turn sign, U-turns are permitted as long as they do not obstruct the normal flow of other vehicles. Some intersections may have yellow solid or dashed lines or gaps before the stop line, allowing U-turns at any time unless there is a no-U-turn sign, provided it does not hinder other vehicles.

[DiAmy]

I remember when I first started driving, I was always confused about making U-turns. It wasn't until I'd driven tens of thousands of kilometers that I finally understood some things. You can't just cross the zebra crossing to make a U-turn—zebra crossings are pedestrian walkways, and the law gives pedestrians the right of way. Trying to squeeze through there will only get you penalty points or a traffic camera fine. You need to find a safe spot, like an intersection with traffic lights where there's no prohibition sign, or a wide road where you're sure there are no pedestrians or cars blocking the way. Once, I almost brushed against a pedestrian when making a U-turn near a zebra crossing by accident, and it scared me so much my legs went weak. Now, before every turn, I carefully check my surroundings and wait until the traffic light is completely green before moving, just to avoid unnecessary trouble. Also, in big cities, there are surveillance cameras everywhere. If you violate the rules, the system records it automatically, and a 3-point penalty plus a 200-yuan fine is inevitable. It's better to drive a bit farther and make a U-turn properly—it's both safer and less stressful.

[VanJoshua]

Having driven for decades, I have a clear memory of the U-turn rules. Simply put, you cannot directly drive over the crosswalk to make a U-turn, as it’s equivalent to driving onto the sidewalk and causing obstruction—both illegal and dangerous. Traffic police often emphasize this, especially in crowded areas or near schools where pedestrians are abundant, and yielding is mandatory. U-turns should be made at intersections with green light permission or in areas without no-U-turn signs, ensuring the road is clear before turning. Once, I saw a novice driver making a U-turn at a crosswalk and getting stopped—the fine was hefty. In reality, some intersections have special indicators, like arrow signs, to show where turns are appropriate. Safety first—don’t rush and cut corners only to cause trouble. Make it a habit to check road conditions before maneuvering.

[OVictoria]

When I was taking my driving test, the instructor repeatedly reminded me about the rules for making U-turns. Never make a U-turn on a zebra crossing—that's a place for pedestrians to cross the road. Turning your car around there is not only against the rules but also increases the risk of hitting someone. Now that I'm driving on my own, I always make sure to find a safe spot for a U-turn, like an empty lane or a non-pedestrian area. I still remember my first mistake, which almost cost me points—it was a hard lesson learned. Following the rules makes for smoother driving.

[Jill]

I drive my kids to and from school every day, and I'm especially careful about crosswalks when making U-turns. Crosswalks are for pedestrians, and vehicles are not allowed to occupy or cross them for U-turns—it's clearly prohibited by law. Otherwise, it could disrupt safety and even harm pedestrians. I need to find a spot away from crowds, like an open intersection where U-turns aren't prohibited, and wait for a green light to turn safely. I often see news about accidents caused by such negligence, which is really alarming. Driving well requires balancing efficiency and responsibility.

[McKyle]

After pondering the rules of car driving for a while, I found that conflicts between U-turns and crosswalks are quite common. The law requires that vehicles cannot directly cross a crosswalk to make a U-turn; instead, they should perform the maneuver at safe positions before or after the crosswalk, such as turning after passing the pedestrian crossing or in areas without prohibitory signs. This rule prioritizes pedestrian safety and helps avoid congestion and accidents. In practical driving, paying attention to traffic signals and road signs and developing good habits can help avoid the risk of penalty points.