Should You Wait for a Red Light When Making a U-Turn?

[OManuel]

If the U-turn signal is red, you must wait; otherwise, it will be considered running a red light. According to the "Road Traffic Safety Law," this offense carries a penalty of 6 demerit points and a fine of 200 yuan. If there is no dedicated U-turn signal, U-turns are not affected by traffic signals when the gap is marked with a dashed line, and you do not need to cross the pedestrian crossing. However, if the gap is marked with a solid line, you must cross the pedestrian crossing and follow the left-turn signal. Making a direct U-turn without adhering to these rules may result in being photographed or penalized by on-site traffic police. When making a U-turn that requires crossing a pedestrian crossing, you must yield to pedestrians: 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 ensure safety before proceeding. 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 safely. If pedestrians have crossed the boundary between lanes, failing to stop for them is a violation and may result in penalties. If pedestrians are already in the motorized lane (Lane A), vehicles in Lane B must slow down and proceed safely. Failing to yield is a violation. If pedestrians are waiting at the centerline without entering the motorized lane, failing to stop is a violation. If pedestrians cross the centerline into the motorized lane, failing to yield is a violation. If the road is divided by a green median and pedestrians are waiting in the middle, vehicles must slow down and proceed safely. Permissible U-turn scenarios: If an intersection has a U-turn sign, U-turns are allowed. If there is a U-turn signal, follow it. Without a signal, proceed cautiously without obstructing other vehicles or pedestrians. If there are no explicit "No U-Turn" or "No Left Turn" signs, U-turns are generally allowed. This means if the intersection lacks such prohibitions and the centerline is not solid, U-turns are permitted. U-turns are allowed on yellow grid lines, which are no-stopping zones. While stopping on these grids is prohibited, U-turns are permitted unless there is a central barrier. If a U-turn signal is present, follow it—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" and "No Left Turn" are not the same. Important considerations when making a U-turn: Check road markings—if they are solid, U-turns are prohibited under any circumstances. Continue driving to find a suitable spot. If a "No Left Turn" sign is present, U-turns are also prohibited, as they involve a left turn maneuver. U-turns must be made from the innermost left-turn lane. Attempting from the second left-turn lane is not allowed. Always yield to oncoming traffic before making a U-turn to avoid accidents and liability. Pay attention to lane arrows—some leftmost lanes may have straight arrows instead of left-turn arrows, prohibiting U-turns even without explicit signs.