Will I Get Penalty Points for Making a U-Turn at a Left-Turn Red Light?
2 Answers
When driving in a left-turn lane without a dedicated U-turn signal, and there are no dashed lines at the intersection or gaps in the guardrail, you must follow the traffic signal ahead—no U-turns are allowed at a red light. U-turns are prohibited during designated no-U-turn times at locations with "No U-Turn" signs, and violations will result in penalty points. Whether a U-turn at a left-turn red light incurs penalty points depends on the following scenarios: 1. If there is a dedicated U-turn lane, you can make a U-turn directly without being restricted by the traffic signal. 2. If you are in a left-turn lane without a "No Left Turn" sign and there are dashed lines on your side of the lane divider, you can make a U-turn at the dashed line without being restricted by the traffic signal, provided it does not interfere with straight-moving traffic. 3. If there is an arrow U-turn signal, follow its indication. 4. If the left-turn lane has no "No U-Turn" sign but has a solid yellow line, do not cross the line for a U-turn; wait for the green light and cross the pedestrian crossing to make the turn. 5. If the intersection clearly has a "No U-Turn" sign, U-turns are prohibited even when the light is green.
I've been driving a taxi for over 20 years and encountered this issue too many times. Making a U-turn during a left-turn red light is absolutely not allowed. A red light means stop - whether you're turning left or making a U-turn, you must come to a complete stop. The U-turn maneuver itself is complex enough, and forcing it during a red light will definitely be caught by cameras as running a red light, resulting in an automatic 6-point deduction. What's more dangerous is that you might interfere with vehicles in other lanes, potentially causing rear-end collisions or crashes. I once saw a car attempting a U-turn at a red light in downtown and it nearly hit a pedestrian. As an experienced driver, I recommend all drivers study the rule handbook - safety is far more important than saving a few seconds. It's also essential to regularly check signalized intersections to minimize operational errors.
