Will U-turns at Crosswalks Definitely Be Captured by Cameras?
3 Answers
If there are electronic surveillance cameras, the act will be captured as making a U-turn on a crosswalk is a traffic violation. According to the "Regulations for the Implementation of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China," this offense incurs a penalty of 3 demerit points and a fine of 200 yuan. The basis for this is Article 49, which states: Motor vehicles are not allowed to make U-turns at locations with signs or markings prohibiting U-turns or left turns, as well as at railway crossings, pedestrian crossings, bridges, sharp curves, steep slopes, tunnels, or other dangerous road sections. Definition of yielding to pedestrians at crosswalks: When pedestrians are walking on the right side of the crosswalk and have not reached the centerline of the road, vehicles on the left side should slow down and proceed cautiously, ensuring safety while allowing pedestrians to cross. When pedestrians are waiting outside the boundary line separating motorized and non-motorized lanes and have not entered the roadway, vehicles should slow down and proceed cautiously, ensuring safety while allowing pedestrians to cross. If pedestrians cross the dividing line between motorized and non-motorized lanes, vehicles failing to stop and yield is a violation and should be penalized. If pedestrians are waiting at the centerline of the road without entering the vehicle lane, vehicles failing to stop and yield is a violation and should be penalized. If pedestrians cross the centerline of the road and enter the vehicle lane, vehicles failing to stop and yield is a violation and should be penalized. When the road is divided by a median strip and pedestrians are waiting in the central stopping area, vehicles must slow down and proceed cautiously, ensuring safety while allowing pedestrians to cross. Permissible U-turn scenarios: Intersections with U-turn signs: If an intersection has a clear U-turn sign, U-turns are permitted. If there is a U-turn traffic light, follow its signal. In the absence of a traffic light, U-turns may be made based on the situation, provided they do not obstruct other vehicles or pedestrians. Intersections without explicit U-turn or left-turn prohibitions: If there are no signs explicitly prohibiting U-turns, they are allowed. "No explicit prohibition" means the absence of "No U-turn" or "No Left Turn" signs, and the absence of solid centerlines, among other conditions. U-turns permitted on yellow grid lines: Yellow grid lines indicate no-stopping zones at intersections prone to congestion due to temporary stops, important entrances/exits, or other designated areas. Stopping on these lines (including waiting for traffic lights) is a violation. However, while stopping is prohibited, U-turns are allowed on yellow grid lines unless there is a central divider. Intersections with U-turn traffic lights: This is straightforward—if there is a U-turn traffic light, proceed only when the light is green. When "No Left Turn" and "U-turn Permitted" signs coexist: U-turns are allowed, but left turns are prohibited. Note that "No U-turn" does not equate to "No Left Turn." Precautions when making U-turns at intersections: Observe road markings—if they are solid lines, U-turns are prohibited under any circumstances. Continue driving to find a suitable location. If there is a "No Left Turn" sign, even if "No U-turn" is not mentioned, U-turns are not allowed at that intersection, as U-turns inherently involve left-turning movements. U-turns must be made from the innermost left-turn lane. If in the second left-turn lane, U-turns are not permitted at that intersection. Always yield to oncoming traffic when making a U-turn. Proceed only if it does not interfere with the normal flow of traffic; otherwise, you will bear full responsibility for any accidents. Near intersection stop lines, lanes often have guiding arrows. The leftmost lane is not always a left-turn lane. If a straight arrow is present, even without explicit "No U-turn" signs, U-turns are not allowed.
Making a U-turn at a zebra crossing is definitely a violation of traffic rules, as it is explicitly prohibited there due to the interference with pedestrian safety. Whether you will be caught and fined depends on the specific location: some sections are equipped with electronic eyes or surveillance cameras that automatically capture violations, and once recorded, the vehicle owner will receive a ticket and penalty points. For example, on main urban roads, near school entrances, or in areas with high pedestrian traffic, the cameras operate frequently, posing a high risk. However, in remote suburban areas or places without surveillance at night, you might not be caught. Based on feedback from car owners I've interacted with, the probability of being fined for this violation is not low, with penalties amounting to several hundred yuan plus penalty points—hardly worth the gamble. I recommend never making a U-turn at a zebra crossing; instead, find an open and safe area to perform the maneuver. Following the rules not only saves money but also avoids the dangers of traffic accidents.
Having driven for decades, I've seen too many friends get fined for making U-turns at crosswalks. Those spots are indeed prone to triggering surveillance, such as crosswalks near major intersections or crossroads, where cameras operate 24/7, automatically uploading captured vehicle data to traffic authorities. However, this doesn't mean every attempt will be recorded—small towns or certain times when equipment isn’t active may seem safer, but the risk remains high. Getting caught by traffic police on the spot is even more troublesome. This behavior is extremely dangerous, as pedestrians crossing the road may not have time to react, leading to fines and demerit points at best, or accidents at worst. From my own experience, I’d rather drive a few hundred meters farther to find a proper U-turn spot than risk the stress and ruin my day.
