Will I Get Penalty Points for Making a U-Turn After Accidentally Entering a One-Way Street?
3 Answers
If you are caught by an electronic surveillance camera while driving in the wrong direction on a one-way street, you will be penalized with 3 demerit points and a fine. Definition of Wrong-Way Driving: Wrong-way driving refers to motor vehicles or non-motor vehicles traveling on the left side. Article 35 of the "Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China" stipulates: Motor vehicles and non-motor vehicles shall drive on the right side. Hazards of Wrong-Way Driving: Driving in the wrong direction is a serious intentional traffic violation that can lead to traffic congestion, reduced road capacity, and in severe cases, major traffic accidents, even resulting in fatal consequences. Typically, in accidents caused by wrong-way driving, the party driving in the wrong direction bears full responsibility.
I remember doing the same thing last summer. That night, I was driving home on an unfamiliar road and accidentally turned into a one-way street. Realizing something was wrong, I quickly made a U-turn and got out. A few days later, I received a ticket—3 points deducted and a 200-yuan fine. After checking, I learned that such one-way street entrances usually have surveillance cameras, and making a U-turn itself is a violation because it increases risks for other vehicles or pedestrians. My advice is, if you encounter this situation, don’t panic and rush to make a U-turn. Instead, pull over safely, turn on your hazard lights, and wait for a safe moment to slowly exit or use navigation to find an alternative route. Always pay attention to road signs and arrows, and installing a good navigation app can save you a lot of trouble. In short, safety comes first. If you do mistakenly enter, handle it carefully—don’t take risks just to save time.
Having driven for over a decade, I've witnessed many friends and strangers make this mistake. Entering a one-way street by mistake may already result in a fine, but making a U-turn to go back is absolutely adding fuel to the fire. In traffic regulations, this is called violating a prohibition sign, typically resulting in a 3-point deduction, a fine of several hundred yuan, and possibly causing an accident. I often remind beginners that one-way street entrances have clear indicators. Once you mistakenly enter, stay calm and don't rush to make a U-turn—that could easily lead to a collision with the car behind you. Proceed slowly to find an exit or seek help from a traffic officer for a safer solution. Develop the habit of checking your route before driving and glancing at road signs when parking—these small actions can prevent major problems. Remember, driving safety comes above all else; don't let a small mistake lead to a big disaster.
