Should You Press the Accelerator When Making a U-Turn?
3 Answers
You do not need to press the accelerator when making a U-turn. This is because you should slow down to ensure driving safety. Circumstances under which U-turns are allowed: Presence of U-turn traffic lights or signs: When there is a U-turn traffic light at an intersection, you can make a U-turn when the U-turn light is green. If there is a U-turn sign or a lane marking indicating U-turns is allowed, you can make a U-turn as long as you ensure your own and others' safety. No U-turn sign but left turns are allowed (no prohibition of U-turns): 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 before making the U-turn. U-turns are allowed at dashed lines: Whether it's a white or yellow dashed line, U-turns are permitted. For double yellow lines (one solid and one dashed), check if your side is the dashed line—if so, you can make a U-turn safely; if it's a solid line, U-turns are not allowed. If encountering double yellow lines at an intersection, you can make a U-turn on the dashed side, but you must not cross the stop line ahead. 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 side with dashed lines near green belts: If the area in front of the green belt is a dashed line, vehicles on that side can make a U-turn there. If the area in front of the green belt is a solid line, vehicles must follow the traffic signal, cross the zebra crossing, and then make a U-turn—they must not cross the solid line or the zebra crossing to make a U-turn. Precautions when making a U-turn: When making a U-turn, you should turn on the left turn signal in advance, and the maximum speed should not exceed 30 km/h. Do not obstruct other vehicles or pedestrians moving normally.
When I'm driving, I usually avoid stepping hard on the accelerator during U-turns because it can easily cause the car to lose control or skid, especially on narrow roads, slippery surfaces, or in complex areas with pedestrians and other vehicles. As an experienced driver, I believe safety comes first. When making a U-turn, it's important to observe the surroundings, ensure a safe distance, and then gently release the brake or maintain a steady speed. For automatic transmission cars, lightly tapping the accelerator is fine, but avoid applying too much force to prevent wheel spin or hitting the curb. For manual transmission cars, extra caution is needed—use the clutch to control speed and avoid stalling or jerking. In short, developing good habits and keeping the speed around 10-20 km/h is the safest approach, applicable to both new and experienced drivers. This helps prevent accidents and boosts driving confidence.
When making a U-turn in actual driving, whether to step on the accelerator depends on the situation. For example, in a spacious and empty square or an experienced driving environment, I would gently press the accelerator to make the car turn smoothly, avoiding slow movements that might annoy following cars. However, in crowded urban areas or during rainy or snowy days, I simply maintain idle speed or lightly release the brake, letting the car turn naturally by inertia. I have experienced the risks of suddenly accelerating a few times—the tires can easily lose grip or even skid, increasing the risk of hitting a tree or losing control. It is recommended to practice low-speed U-turn techniques in daily driving first, learning to estimate the turning radius and visibility, which is useful for any vehicle model. Pay more attention to road changes, such as being extra careful on slopes, and ensure safety before accelerating.
