Should You Pay Attention to Red Lights When Making a U-Turn?
3 Answers
If the U-turn signal light is red, you must wait; otherwise, it will be considered running a red light. According to the "Road Traffic Safety Law," this violation incurs: 6 penalty points and a fine of 200 yuan. If there is no U-turn signal light, and the gap is marked with a dashed line, the U-turn is not affected by traffic signals and does not require crossing the pedestrian crossing. However, if the gap is marked with a solid line, the U-turn must cross the pedestrian crossing and is subject to the left-turn signal light. Making a U-turn directly may result in being photographed or penalized by on-site traffic police. When making a U-turn by crossing the pedestrian crossing, yielding to pedestrians is required: If pedestrians are walking on the right side of the crosswalk and have not reached the centerline of the road, vehicles on the left side must slow down and proceed only after ensuring safety. If pedestrians are waiting outside the boundary between motorized and non-motorized lanes and have not entered the roadway, vehicles should slow down and proceed after ensuring safety. If pedestrians cross the boundary between motorized and non-motorized lanes, vehicles failing to stop and yield constitute a violation and should be penalized. If pedestrians enter the motorized lane (Lane A) via the crosswalk, vehicles in Lane B must slow down and proceed after ensuring safety. Vehicles in Lane A failing to stop and yield constitute a violation and should be penalized. If pedestrians are waiting at the centerline of the road without entering the motorized lane, vehicles failing to stop and yield constitute a violation and should be penalized. If pedestrians cross the centerline and enter the motorized lane, vehicles failing to stop and yield constitute a violation and should be penalized. If the road is divided by a green belt and pedestrians are waiting in the middle, vehicles must slow down and proceed after ensuring safety. Permissible U-turn situations: If an intersection has a U-turn sign, a U-turn is allowed. If there is a U-turn signal light, follow its instructions. If there is no signal light, make the U-turn without obstructing other vehicles or pedestrians. If an intersection has no explicit "No U-Turn" or "No Left Turn" signs, a U-turn is allowed. This means if there are no "No U-Turn" or "No Left Turn" signs and the centerline is not solid, a U-turn is permitted. U-turns are also allowed in yellow grid zones. Yellow grid lines indicate no-stopping zones, but U-turns are permitted unless there is a central divider. If an intersection has a U-turn signal light, follow its instructions—only proceed on green. If "No Left Turn" and "U-Turn Allowed" signs coexist, U-turns are permitted but left turns are not. Note that "No U-Turn" does not equate to "No Left Turn." Precautions when making a U-turn at an intersection: Check road markings—if they are solid lines, U-turns are prohibited under any circumstances. Continue driving to find a suitable U-turn location. If there is a "No Left Turn" sign, U-turns are also prohibited at that intersection, as U-turns inherently involve a left turn. U-turns must be made from the innermost left-turn lane. If you are in the second left-turn lane, a U-turn is not allowed at that intersection. Always yield to straight-moving vehicles before making a U-turn to avoid accidents, or you will bear full responsibility. Near the intersection stop line, lanes often have guiding arrows. The leftmost lane may not always have a left-turn arrow—if it has a straight arrow, U-turns are prohibited even without explicit "No U-Turn" signs.
Making a U-turn at a red light is strictly prohibited, and I’d like to share my years of driving experience. One night at an urban intersection, with the red light on, I hastily attempted a U-turn and failed to notice an oncoming car speeding toward me—nearly resulting in a collision that left me drenched in cold sweat. That incident taught me a crucial lesson: traffic signals are lifelines. A red light means stop, whether you're going straight or making a U-turn. City driving demands extra vigilance, as light changes occur rapidly, and ignoring a red light can easily lead to accidents. I’ve since made it a habit in my daily driving to always check the signal before a U-turn—stopping if it’s red and proceeding only on green or a turn arrow. The law is clear: U-turning at a red light is illegal in many places, risking fines or serious harm. Safe driving is no joke; following the rules protects both yourself and others—a habit now ingrained in my daily rhythm.
From a safety perspective, it is essential to observe the red light when making a U-turn. I once nearly got into an accident by ignoring a red light, which made me realize its importance: the red light phase is designed to allow other traffic flows to proceed, and abruptly making a U-turn can disrupt the flow, potentially leading to collisions. In urban driving, traffic signals coordinate movement, and a red light is a clear stop signal—violating it carries high risks. Through experience, I’ve learned that no matter how rushed I am, I always check the light first. Move only on green, and wait patiently during red. This not only avoids fines and penalty points but also fosters good habits. Safety comes first, making roads more harmonious and preventing tragedies.
