Why is it difficult to capture illegal U-turns?
2 Answers
When a vehicle runs a red light while making a U-turn, it is almost certain to be captured if the road is equipped with an electronic monitoring system. However, if the traffic light intersection lacks a monitoring system, running a red light during a U-turn will not be photographed by electronic cameras. This scenario is very rare and usually occurs at traffic light intersections in small towns. In urban areas, most traffic light intersections are equipped with electronic monitoring. Penalties for illegal U-turns: Violations such as running a red light during a U-turn, left turn, or going straight are all penalized as violations of the red light phase prohibition, involving crossing the stop line and continuing to drive. To deter drivers from intentionally running red lights, traffic police departments impose penalty points for such violations, including a fine of 200 RMB and a deduction of 6 points. Methods for checking violations: Generally, after an electronic camera captures three instances of illegal behavior, the data is automatically uploaded to the violation system. After the traffic police review and confirm the violation, it takes about 5 working days to check the violation online. However, if you visit the local traffic management department where the violation occurred, the record can usually be queried within 2 to 3 working days.
After driving for so many years, I've witnessed quite a few illegal U-turn incidents, but very few were actually caught on camera. The main reason is the freedom in choosing U-turn locations—many drivers opt for small roads or blind spots where cameras are usually only installed at main intersections or traffic lights, leaving too many blind spots uncovered. The speed of the maneuver also plays a role; a U-turn takes just a few seconds, and the camera's auto-focus can't keep up. Poor weather or insufficient lighting at night makes the footage blurry, further complicating detail capture. Additionally, the system prioritizes monitoring high-risk violations like speeding and running red lights, pushing U-turns lower on the priority list. I believe this increases urban management costs, and it would be better if high-definition cameras were added at common U-turn spots.
