# I'm making a U-turn - I HAVE THE FUCKING RIGHT OF WAY, ASSHOLE! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [December 21, 2004, 11:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957 "2004-12-21T11:15:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 10
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2005, 8:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/181 "2005-01-07T08:01:59Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > I doubt it. šŸ˜ƒ > > Yes, a number of folks have stated that making a U-turn is the only way to get to their destination. They donā€™t seem to consider that a different route may be better. I donā€™t think _anybody_ here said that a U-Turn is ALWAYS the best way to get somewhere. Since you conceded that they are _sometimes_ the best way to get somewhere, I still donā€™t understand your bone of contention. > [@](#): > > Like Iā€™ve said, If you have to make a Ueeee, do, but it is best to avoid it so that YOU donā€™t screw up the flow of traffic. You make a U-Turn when itā€™s the best thing to do, and you donā€™t when it isnā€™t. Whatā€™s your point? ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2005, 8:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/182 "2005-01-07T08:05:36Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > It slows down the left turners behind you. Jesus Fucking Christ!!! How many people do you think you slowed down by going around the whole goddamned block just to avoid a fucking U-Turn? Now youā€™re just being ridiculous. ---
**Author:** ![don\_t\_ask](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e68b1a/32.png) [@don\_t\_ask](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/don_t_ask)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2005, 9:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/183 "2005-01-07T09:37:59Z")
I have just returned from a holiday in Victoria. Down there people do U-turns where they like and some traffic lights have U-turn lights. Because of this thread I asked my friends what the rules are in Victoria. From **Driving In Victoria Rules and Responsibilities** they found: **When making a U-turn** You **must** give way to all pedestrians as well as vehicles when making a U-turn. Simple eh? My friends thought that unless signposted otherwise you can do a U-turn anywhere. We got the proof of this when we went for a trip along the south coast of the mainland. We headed west on the Great Ocean Road which is, in parts, like Highway 1 in California - single lane each way, halfway up a cliff with a blind corner every 30 metres and with ā€œno U-turnā€ signs. You wouldnā€™t attempt one for a bet anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Girl)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2005, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/184 "2005-01-07T09:52:44Z")
> [@blowero](#): > > Jesus Fucking Christ!!! Um, dear. That little vein on your forehead is popping out again. šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2005, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/185 "2005-01-07T13:58:33Z")
> [@](#): > > ā€œQuite simple really.ā€ Try to pay attention to where youā€™re driving, even when making a right turn on red. Iā€™ve been driving for 30 years and have never been involved in any type of accident. I have no problem paying attention. My ā€˜boneā€™ of contention is that IMHO U-turns do screw up the flow of traffic, and can usually be avoided if people would take 10 seconds and think about possible alternatives. And, as far as paying attention, many U-turns are performed by people that have missed a previous turn. Those are the folks that arenā€™t paying attention. ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Girl)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2005, 6:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/186 "2005-01-07T18:21:48Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > And, as far as paying attention, many U-turns are performed by people that have missed a previous turn. Those are the folks that arenā€™t paying attention. Umm, how do _you_ know? You a mind-reader or just jumping to conclusions? Last I checked, nobody announces with a bullhorn or sign language why theyā€™re making a U-turn. Or any other turn for that matter. If youā€™re speaking from personal experience, speak for yourself. ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2005, 6:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/187 "2005-01-07T18:35:30Z")
> [@Cinnamon Girl](#): > > Um, dear. > > That little vein on your forehead is popping out again. > > šŸ˜ƒ Actually, it already burst. My nonsense buffer can only handle so much input before it overflows. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2005, 7:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/188 "2005-01-07T19:07:57Z")
> [@Cinnamon Girl](#): > > Umm, how do _you_ know? You a mind-reader or just jumping to conclusions? Last I checked, nobody announces with a bullhorn or sign language why theyā€™re making a U-turn. Or any other turn for that matter. > > If youā€™re speaking from personal experience, speak for yourself. If there are no other entrances/driveways to the street between the lights, what else could they be doing? And since, at least where I live, itā€™s almost always easier, shorter to get to your destination directly (except for a few circumstances). After all, when you make a U-trurn, you cover distance you already traveled. I think Iā€™m done beating this dead horse. I can see we wonā€™t ever agree. Drive safe everyone. ---
**Author:** ![Voyager](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/voyager/32/133_2.png) [@Voyager](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Voyager)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2005, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/189 "2005-01-07T19:25:55Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > It slows down the left turners behind you. If you havenā€™t seen this, you either havenā€™t been driving long and/or youā€™re not paying attention. And yes, it does also slow down the right on red turners, but thatā€™s not the point Iā€™ve been driving five years longer than you have. Yeah, on the average a U-turn might take a fraction of a second longer than a left, not all of which happens in the intersection. However in my neck of the woods the people who feel they need to leave three car lengths before they turn left are a much bigger slowdown, and the ones who turn left then stop suddenly to pull into a driveway are far scarier. I donā€™t remember ever missing a turn light due to U-turners. > [@](#): > > Like I said, If the traffic is light, in this situation, I donā€™t really mind when people bend the rules with a little illegal lane use. Just realize that what youā€™re doing is not just bending the rules, it is also, breaking the law. Like I said, not around here it isnā€™t. There are cases where traffic is heavy, and you canā€™t make it across. In that situation, I travel to the next intersection marked for a U-Turn and make it there. It is still safer and more efficient than driving through the shopping center - where Iā€™d have to cross more lanes of traffic on a busier street to make my left. > [@](#): > > My ā€˜boneā€™ of contention is that IMHO U-turns do screw up the flow of traffic, and can usually be avoided if people would take 10 seconds and think about possible alternatives. Maybe one percent of the U-Turns I make come from missing a turn or getting messed up. Almost all are within a few blocks of my house. From the lack of befuddlement on the faces of other drivers making U-Turns (I can read minds too.) and the fact they pop into driveways of shopping centers after making the turn, I donā€™t think their confused either. Itā€™s nice that the roads you drive have no dividers, and that you can always turn left into any driveway with no problems, but not all areas are like that. ---
**Author:** ![spinky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@spinky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spinky)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2005, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/190 "2005-01-07T19:57:12Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > And, as far as paying attention, many U-turns are performed by people that have missed a previous turn. Those are the folks that arenā€™t paying attention. I hate to break it to you, but most of the driving population isnā€™t meticulously trying to avoid making U-turns due to some irrational aversion to them, so the reason they make them isnā€™t so much ā€œmissing a turnā€ as much as the fact that itā€™s occasonally natural to do so. Nobodyā€™s kicking themselves thinking, ā€œaw, dang, in order to get to that mini mall, I have to make a dreaded U-turn, which is going to anger the driving gods.ā€ While you contend that thereā€™s no reason to make a U-turn, the rational world contends that thereā€™s no reason to avoid them, either. ---
**Author:** ![sturmhauke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/e47c2d/32.png) [@sturmhauke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sturmhauke)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2005, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/191 "2005-01-07T20:03:03Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > If there are no other entrances/driveways to the street between the lights, what else could they be doing? And since, at least where I live, itā€™s almost always easier, shorter to get to your destination directly (except for a few circumstances). After all, when you make a U-trurn, you cover distance you already traveled. > > I think Iā€™m done beating this dead horse. I can see we wonā€™t ever agree. Drive safe everyone. Maybe you should come to California and drive around the South Bay Area for a while. There are A LOT of streets like the one I drew, and in some cases this odd reluctance you have for U-turns can take you literally miles out of your way. In other words, what applies in your area doesnā€™t apply everywhere, so get over yourself already. ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2005, 8:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/192 "2005-01-07T20:11:23Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > After all, when you make a U-trurn, you cover distance you already traveled. Yeah, much better to make 3 left turns or 3 right turns and go all the way around the block (even assuming that all streets are laid out in perfect grids with no one-way streets or dead-ends, which isnā€™t the case), than to cover that 1/2 a block that you already travelled. :rolleyes: Oh wait, NOW I get it. You have one of those flying cars that can fly over medians and one-way streets so that you can always take the shortest distance between 2 points. šŸ˜ƒ ---
**Author:** ![hyjyljyj](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/0ea827/32.png) [@hyjyljyj](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/hyjyljyj)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 3:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/193 "2005-01-12T03:59:13Z")
So, unless I am mistaken, what we can deduce from this thread is that in the US at least, EITHER the U-turner must yield to the right-turner on his left because his maneuver is less common and he is showing a deceptive left turn signal, OR the right-turner must yield to the U-turner instead. One or the other, depending onā€¦whichever one I am at the time. Apparently to avoid slowing down anyone else hoping to make a left before the light turns red, rather than a making U-turn it is better simply to go around the world and come at oneā€™s target from the other side. In case I donā€™t have time for that, the logic that still seems to speak louder to me is the one suggesting that the right turner is stopped, either at a light or a stop sign, AND he or she is attempting a turn onto a road that the U-turner is already on. These items seem to give the green light to the U-turner, and the right-turner has to yield. Both of them better be paying attention instead of dialing their cell phone while lighting a cigarette, disciplining their rugrats and picking up their babyā€™s pacifier off the floor, though. ---
**Author:** ![PigBoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/97f17d/32.png) [@PigBoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PigBoy)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 4:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/194 "2005-01-12T04:43:08Z")
If Iā€™m not mistaken, Columbus, Ohio shuts up this whole debate by making U-turns illegal citywide. Not that U-turns would generally be necessary in most of Columbus. Also, I just wanted to say that I have seen zillions of intersections like what **Ellis Dee** described (post #162, above). I must admit that Iā€™ve never really considered U-turners. Perhaps they are illegal at such intersections. ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 8:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/195 "2005-01-12T08:32:13Z")
> [@PigBoy](#): > > If Iā€™m not mistaken, Columbus, Ohio shuts up this whole debate by making U-turns illegal citywide. Not that U-turns would generally be necessary in most of Columbus. > > Also, I just wanted to say that I have seen zillions of intersections like what **Ellis Dee** described (post #162, above). I must admit that Iā€™ve never really considered U-turners. Perhaps they are illegal at such intersections. Iā€™m curious how it is you know for a fact that the two perpendicular directions both have green arrows at the same time. And if you have studied the intersection carefully enough to know _that_, how do you _not_ know if U-Turns are allowed? ---
**Author:** ![Cinnamon\_Girl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9d8465/32.png) [@Cinnamon\_Girl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cinnamon_Girl)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 8:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/196 "2005-01-12T08:48:11Z")
> [@PigBoy](#): > > If Iā€™m not mistaken, Columbus, Ohio shuts up this whole debate by making U-turns illegal citywide. Not that U-turns would generally be necessary in most of Columbus. Well, itā€™s not in the Columbus City Codes. I hope itā€™s not illegal as the last time I was there, I was looking for a tobacco store downtown and found it on the other side of the street. I promptly made a U-turn at the next light. I donā€™t remember seeing a sign prohibiting it either. ---
**Author:** ![RedFury](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ec9cab/32.png) [@RedFury](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RedFury)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 8:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/197 "2005-01-12T08:52:15Z")
Hmmmā€¦looks like I made a wrong turn somewhere. Not the thread I was aiming for. Apologies. Buh bye. ---
**Author:** ![Freejooky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ba8739/32.png) [@Freejooky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Freejooky)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 9:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/198 "2005-01-12T09:10:27Z")
Somehow, I completely missed my thread growing to FOUR PAGES. Wow! Just to clarify the OP - I was making a left U-turn at an intersection where I had a green left turn arrow. The subjects of my ire were waiting at a red light and making right turns on red, ignoring the right-of-way afforded to me by my green turn arrow. ---
**Author:** ![PigBoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/97f17d/32.png) [@PigBoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PigBoy)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 2:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/199 "2005-01-12T14:30:44Z")
> [@blowero](#): > > Iā€™m curious how it is you know for a fact that the two perpendicular directions both have green arrows at the same time. And if you have studied the intersection carefully enough to know _that_, how do you _not_ know if U-Turns are allowed? It doesnā€™t require much study- I can see a green right-turn arrow at the same time that people from the perpendicular direction(s) are making left turns, and left turns only (i.e., no one is going straight across). And Iā€™ve been through one example of this kind of intersection enough times (from different directions) to be certain that this is the case. As for whether U-turns are legal or not, I donā€™t know how the laws work. I was just wondering if itā€™s one of those things that youā€™re supposed to know but that is not posted. The only thing I could easily find in Ohio law was something saying that with a green arrow, you are supposed to begin moving into your turn, but yield to any pedestrians or other traffic legally in the intersection. Ordinarily there would not be any other traffic or pedestrians legally in the intersection, but with the two green arrows together it would have to mean that the right-turner and the U-turner must yield to each other. So thatā€™s not helpful. I have no idea what the actual rules are. > [@Cinnamon Girl](#): > > Well, itā€™s not in the Columbus City Codes. I hope itā€™s not illegal as the last time I was there, I was looking for a tobacco store downtown and found it on the other side of the street. I promptly made a U-turn at the next light. I donā€™t remember seeing a sign prohibiting it either. I could be totally wrong about that. Iā€™m mainly just remembering what someone told me, though I do vaguely recall a ā€œno U-turns citywideā€ type of sign somewhere. Maybe Iā€™m thinking of a different place. ---
**Author:** ![Severian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/49beb7/32.png) [@Severian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Severian)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2005, 7:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/200 "2005-01-12T19:49:18Z")
> [@blowero](#): > > Iā€™m curious how it is you know for a fact that the two perpendicular directions both have green arrows at the same time. And if you have studied the intersection carefully enough to know _that_, how do you _not_ know if U-Turns are allowed? I know of at least two intersections like this as well. While I turn right with my right-turn green arrow I can glance over my shoulder and see a left-turn green arrow for the other traffic as well. As to whether a U-turn is allowed at these intersections, itā€™s unclear. I can say that there are no signs specifically prohibiting them. I also know of an intersection in the same city that does have a No U-Turn sign, so that would seem to indicate U-turns are generally allowed. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957.md?page=9) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957.md?page=11)