How To Avoid An Illegal U-Turn Ticket
February 20th, 2008 Posted in James Baxter, Traffic Tickets
By James Baxter, NMA President
The political theory is that traffic laws should be fairly uniform, make sense to the average person, and the difference between legal and illegal behavior should be obvious. That’s the political theory, reality is a whole different story. No traffic law better displays the disconnect between this political theory and reality then the officially described “U-turn.”
The statutory definition usually makes reference to a vehicle turning in a manner that it reverses its direction of travel.
Fair enough, but what makes one of these turns legal or illegal?
It all depends where you are when you make that U-turn. While most states have some kind of legal structure that differentiates between legal and illegal U-turns, the game doesn’t end there. The states also allow local governments to further define what is legal and what is not.
So, the state may allow a mid-block U-turn, but the Town of Prongville, population 879, can have an ordinance that says mid-block U-turns are illegal.
How does the average motorist know what rule applies?
He doesn’t, not unless a prominent sign is posted explaining the more stringent local ordinance. Often, no such sign exists, prominent or not. There is no one universal code of conduct that can keep you out of harms way when it comes to implementing a U-turn.
However, if you abide by the following rules your chances of being rousted for the hideous crime of “making an illegal U-turn” will be greatly reduced.
- Do not make a U-turn at an intersection with a traffic signal.
- Do not make a U-turn in the middle of the block in urban/residential areas.
- Do not make a U-turn where there is a sign prohibiting U-turns.
- Do not make a U-turn where visibility is limited by a curve or hill crest.
- Do not make a U-turn if there is a police officer anywhere in sight, this is like waving a red cape at a wounded bull, regardless of legality.
This leaves uncontrolled intersections, open rural roads with good visibility, divided roadways with dedicated breaks in the divider, and locations where U-turns are expressly permitted by official signs as your least risky U-Turn opportunities.
If you need 100 percent assurance that you are legal, go around the block and re-enter the street that you want to reverse course on.
Yes, I know the blocks are quite large in West Texas and Eastern Montana.
For more official information on U-turns try this link from the Transportation Research Board: http://www.trb.org/news/blurb_detail.asp?id=8731
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9 Responses to “How To Avoid An Illegal U-Turn Ticket”
By Eric on Sep 2, 2008
Yes, you are allowed to make a U-Turn in Tennessee, as long as you do so in a safe manner. However, in Mount Juliet, just east of Nashville, there is a “hidden law” that bans all U-Turns. Recently, I was stuck in a massive traffic jam on the main thoroughfare through town, and my air conditioning had died, leaving me stuck in a stifling car on a 95 degree day (I’m sure it was much hotter in my car). I waited patiently until all traffic from the opposite direction had passed (there were no oncoming cars within 200-250 yards), checked my rear view mirror, signalled, and made a U-Turn. A few moments later, I got pulled over by an officer who told me that all U-Turns are illegal in Mount Juliet, and gave me a ticket for nearly $200. No signs anywhere indicate that this is the case, nor could I find any evidence of this law in extensive online searches. To add insult to injury, the officer told me that if I take a defensive driving course, the ticket won’t hurt my insurance rates. The only defensive driving courses around are offered by the State of Tennessee, where U-Turns are legal, thus negating any supposed “benefit” of taking such a course.
By Betty Pavey on May 1, 2008
Coming out of Porter Ranch mall, right turn only. Did that and am heading west. First opening on the left has a large red-circled sign do not enter. Next opening no such sign. I turned left into the divided grass- filled area which held my car competely so I was not delaying traffic going west (there wasn’t any at this time)and waited until 6 cars heading east passed by and then I made the 2nd left turn to the other side. A motorcycle policeman stopped me and explained no “u-turn” is allowed in a business area. Yes, he saw me wait patiently for eastbound traffic before turning again and he ‘respected’ me for that. Anyway, no warning but a ticket. When I travelled in the same area heading only east, every opening (3) in the divider had the large red-circled slashed ‘do not enter.’Too bad for me there was no such sign where I turned and I should have known no “u-turns” are allowed.
By KL on Mar 2, 2008
Another simple solution is to pull into a parking lot and then pull out in the direction you want to go….
By John Riley on Feb 25, 2008
I’d like to mention that turn signals are mainly used to warn other drivers of your intentions; not necessarily to avoid a ticket.
By Desert Tripper on Feb 23, 2008
Here in CA, the decision in many cases has already been made for you. “Traffic calming,” that expensive and useless practice of erecting elaborate concrete medians in the middle of divided boulevards, requires you to proceed to the next light for any left or U turn (and more often than not, the next light is signed “No U Turn,” as well. Very aggravating. I often wonder if the drones that design these schemes ever actually have to drive in the areas they “calm.”
By ryan on Feb 22, 2008
apprently, in tennessee, you can make a u-turn anywhere you like. no turn signal necessary(although, i do believe the turn signal is a dealership option that costs more than air conditioning in this area).
By Billy on Feb 21, 2008
U turns on a divided roadway i.e. raised or painted center median is prohibited anywhere in NYC as per NYC Traffic rules.
By Jrob on Feb 21, 2008
Beth,
Why make an illegal U-turn? Just wait ’till you get to the useless overpass where it’s legal.
To all you non-Huntsville residents, sorry for the inside joke. She knows EXACTLY which overpass I’m referring to. (We’ve got an overpass, inbetween two overpasses less than 1/2 mile from each other, that exists simply in case…)
By Beth on Feb 20, 2008
If you live in Huntsville, Alabama, U-turns are a part of your everyday life, that’s the parkway for you.