Should You Downshift When Making a U-Turn?
1 Answers
Downshifting is necessary when making a U-turn because it requires slowing down to ensure driving safety. Conditions under which U-turns are permitted: Presence of U-turn traffic lights or signs: When there is a U-turn traffic light at an intersection, a U-turn can be made when the light is green. If there is a U-turn sign or a lane marking indicating U-turns, you can make a U-turn after ensuring the safety of yourself and others. No U-turn signs but left turns are allowed (no prohibition signs): Vehicles can make a U-turn at intersections where left turns are permitted and there are no signs or markings prohibiting U-turns. Note that vehicles should proceed according to the left-turn signal without affecting the normal flow of other vehicles. If making a U-turn at an intersection with a left-turn waiting area, you can enter the waiting area when the straight-ahead light is green and wait until the left-turn light turns green to complete the U-turn. U-turns are allowed at dashed lines: Both white and yellow dashed lines permit U-turns. For double yellow lines (one solid and one dashed), check if your side is the dashed line. If it is, a U-turn is allowed if safe; if it's solid, U-turns are prohibited. At intersections with double yellow lines, U-turns can be made on the dashed side but must not cross the stop line. U-turns are allowed at yellow grid lines: Parking is prohibited in yellow grid areas, but as long as there is no central barrier, you can make a U-turn after yielding to normally moving vehicles. U-turns are allowed on the dashed side of a green belt: If the green belt has a dashed line ahead, vehicles on that side can make a U-turn there. If the green belt has a solid line ahead, vehicles must follow the traffic signal, cross the pedestrian crossing, and then make the U-turn. Driving over solid lines or pedestrian crossings is prohibited. Precautions for U-turns: When making a U-turn, you should activate the left turn signal in advance, keep the speed below 30 km/h, and avoid obstructing other vehicles or pedestrians.
