Should I Make a U-turn or Reverse When Driving Against Traffic?
3 Answers
On urban roads, neither making a U-turn nor reversing is advisable when driving against traffic. It's best to continue driving forward until you find the next intersection to circle back. The following situations constitute illegal U-turns: 1. Making a U-turn at a left-turn intersection: This violates the traffic rule of not following the designated lane direction, resulting in a 2-point penalty. 2. Making a U-turn at a straight-only intersection: This also violates the traffic rule of not following the designated lane direction, resulting in a 2-point penalty. 3. Making a U-turn where the centerline is solid: This violates the traffic rule against crossing prohibited markings, resulting in a 3-point penalty. 4. Making a U-turn at locations such as crosswalks or bridges: This violates the traffic rule against U-turns in prohibited areas.
When I first started learning to drive, I would get especially nervous if I accidentally went the wrong way. My instructor always said to prioritize making a U-turn because it allows you to quickly return to the correct direction and avoids prolonging the time spent going the wrong way, which increases danger. However, it depends on the road conditions—it should be done on a straight and wide section of the road, ensuring there are no cars in front or behind and visibility is clear. If you're on a highway or a one-way street, making a U-turn is illegal, and you must carefully reverse back to a safe spot. When reversing, I turn on my hazard lights and move slowly while checking the mirrors to avoid collisions in blind spots. Safety is the top priority—don’t let panic lead to a secondary accident. It’s best to pull over, think carefully, and then act. Based on past experience, U-turns are efficient but require space, while reversing offers better control but demands higher technical skill. In short, as a beginner, remember to stay calm and prioritize the safest option.
Having driven in the city for many years, I've encountered situations where I went the wrong way a few times. My principle is: once I realize the mistake, I stop the car steadily and carefully observe the surroundings. Most of the time, I prioritize attempting a U-turn because it's more direct and effective in rectifying the mistake, especially at ordinary intersections. However, if the space is tight, such as in narrow alleys, the only option is to reverse, but it must be done extremely slowly, using the rearview camera to avoid scraping pedestrians or other vehicles. I've noticed that in busy city traffic, a U-turn saves time but carries higher risks; reversing is more precise but prolongs exposure to the risk of going the wrong way. When handling such situations, always turn on the hazard lights to signal, ensure a safe gap before moving. From a preventive perspective, using navigation apps more often helps avoid wrong turns, and practical experience has taught me that timely correction is key.
