Should You Check for a Left-Turn Red Light When Making a U-Turn?
2 Answers
If the gap is marked with a dashed line, making a U-turn is not affected by traffic signals and does not require crossing the pedestrian crossing. You can directly make a U-turn as long as it does not interfere with other normally moving vehicles and ensures your own safety. If the gap is marked with a solid line, then making a U-turn requires crossing the pedestrian crossing and is subject to traffic signals. When making a U-turn by crossing the pedestrian crossing, you must yield to pedestrians: Pedestrians walking on the right side of the pedestrian crossing without reaching the centerline of the road. Vehicles on the left side of the road should slow down and proceed safely to allow pedestrians to cross. Pedestrians waiting outside the boundary line between motorized and non-motorized lanes. If they have not entered the road, vehicles should slow down and proceed safely to allow them to cross. If pedestrians cross the boundary line between motorized and non-motorized lanes, vehicles that do not stop are committing a traffic violation and should be penalized. After pedestrians enter the motorized lane (Lane A) via the pedestrian crossing, vehicles in Lane B should slow down and proceed safely to allow them to cross. If vehicles in Lane A do not stop, 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, it is a violation and should be penalized. Pedestrians crossing the centerline into the motorized lane. If vehicles do not stop, 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 allowed to cross safely by slowing down. Scenarios where U-turns are allowed: If there is a U-turn sign at the intersection, you can make a U-turn. If there is a U-turn traffic light, follow its instructions. If there is no traffic light, make a U-turn only if it does not interfere with other vehicles or pedestrians. If there is no explicit prohibition against U-turns or left turns at the intersection, you can make a U-turn. This means the absence of "No U-turn" or "No Left Turn" signs and no solid centerline. U-turns are also allowed on yellow grid lines. These lines indicate no-stopping zones, but vehicles can make U-turns 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 not. Note that "No U-turn" does not mean "No Left Turn." Points 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 spot. If there is a "No Left Turn" sign, U-turns are also prohibited, even if "No U-turn" is not explicitly mentioned, as U-turns involve left turns. U-turns must be made from the innermost left-turn lane. If you are in the second left-turn lane, you cannot make a U-turn at that intersection. Always yield to straight-moving vehicles before making a U-turn to avoid accidents and liability. Near the intersection stop line, lane arrows guide vehicle movements. The leftmost lane may not always have a left-turn arrow. If it has a straight arrow, U-turns are prohibited even without explicit signs.
When making U-turns before, I always had to keep an eye on the left-turn red light since safety comes first. Especially at intersections, U-turns are quite similar to left turns, and traffic signals control the flow - ignoring them can easily lead to accidents or violations. I remember one time I didn't notice the red light while making a U-turn. Fortunately, I was driving slowly and didn't hit any pedestrians, but the police almost gave me a ticket. Since then, I've developed the habit of always checking traffic signals before any U-turn - this helps prevent red-light violations, point deductions, or worse. Urban driving carries significant risks with many vehicles and pedestrians. Traffic signals act like a safety net, protecting everyone's safe movement.
