What is the maximum speed limit for U-turns and turns of motor vehicles?
4 Answers
When making a U-turn or turning, the maximum speed of a motor vehicle must not exceed 30 kilometers per hour. According to Article 46 of the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law": "When a motor vehicle encounters a situation requiring a U-turn, turn, or descending a steep slope, the maximum speed must not exceed 30 kilometers per hour. Prohibited U-turn situations are as follows: U-turns are prohibited where there are "No U-turn" or "No Left Turn" signs: If there is a sign prohibiting U-turns, then U-turns are not allowed at that intersection. A U-turn is an extension of a left turn, so if there is a sign prohibiting left turns at an intersection, U-turns are also prohibited there. U-turns are prohibited at crosswalks: U-turns are not allowed at crosswalks. If at an intersection where U-turns are permitted, the vehicle must cross the crosswalk before making the U-turn and cannot make the U-turn on the crosswalk. U-turns are prohibited when there is no left-turn lane: Even if in the leftmost lane, if there is no sign permitting left turns, U-turns are also not allowed. U-turns are prohibited within the second left-turn lane line: When a vehicle is in the second left-turn lane, it cannot make a U-turn. In the absence of any directional signs, vehicles can only make U-turns in the innermost left-turn lane.
I often drive long distances, and turning around requires extra caution—going too fast can cause the car to skid sideways and lead to an accident. Once, while making a U-turn on a rainy rural road at just 20 km/h, I felt the car swaying noticeably. Fortunately, I slowed down in time. Generally, it's best to keep speeds between 10 to 30 km/h when navigating curves or making U-turns, adjusting based on road conditions. In crowded urban areas with heavy traffic, going slower—around 15 km/h—is much steadier. Larger vehicles, like SUVs, need even lower speeds for smoother turns. Also, if the road is wet or slippery, reducing speed by a few more km/h is safer. I always remind myself to slow down—safety comes first. Avoiding excessive centrifugal force to prevent losing control is non-negotiable. Once it becomes a habit, driving feels much smoother.
When I first got my driver's license, I was always nervous about making turns and U-turns. My instructor told me to take it slow. Higher speeds can cause the car to fishtail and become difficult to control. There's no fixed maximum speed—it depends on the situation. When driving in the city, I usually slow down to around 15 km/h to keep things steady. For beginners practicing U-turns, I recommend starting at 20 km/h. Once you're comfortable, you can increase the speed slightly, but don't exceed 30 km/h, as higher speeds make steering harder and increase the risk of hitting the curb or pedestrians. Also, remember to slow down before changing lanes to prepare—it's safer and more reliable. Gradually, I figured out these tips, and now I feel much more confident behind the wheel.
From a safety perspective, the speed of a motor vehicle when turning or making a U-turn must never be too high, otherwise it may fly out due to centrifugal force and cause an accident. I understand that traffic regulations emphasize safe speeds without a specific upper limit, but it is generally recommended to maintain between 5 to 20 kilometers per hour. On slippery roads or sharp turns, it's safer to reduce the speed below 10 kilometers per hour. The faster the speed, the longer the braking distance, increasing the risk of rear-end collisions or loss of control. I always remind myself to anticipate situations and slow down in advance, especially at intersections or U-turn areas on highways, as driving steadily can save lives. In daily driving, this habit has helped me avoid trouble and significantly improved driving comfort.
