# 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:** 16\ **Page:** 11
**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, 10:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/201 "2005-01-12T22:08:59Z")
> [@Severian](#): > > 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, it’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. Interesting. That sounds pretty fucked-up to me. I’m glad they don’t do it that way in California. I looked at the Minneapolis City Code and I don’t see any prohibition of U-Turns. It says green arrows yield to traffic “lawfully in the intersection”, I think is the wording. So I guess the right-turner yields to the U-turner if the U-turner is already in the intersection. I’ll have to remember to be extra careful if I ever drive in your state. ---
**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, 10:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/202 "2005-01-12T22:16:07Z")
So are there a lot of accidents at these intersections with the conflicting green arrows? I would think there would be. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2005, 1:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/203 "2005-01-14T01:24:16Z")
Just an update regarding the simultaneous perpendicular protected green arrows and U-Turns. I emailed City Hall asking what the deal was. (Are U-Turns legal there, and if so, who is required to yield.) The response I got back was, and I quote: “Your email concerning U-Turns has been forwarded to the [town deleted] PD Patrol and Traffic Officer. [town deleted] PD number is [number deleted].” This response got my hopes up, but alas, I received it a week ago (the 6th) and haven’t heard a peep since. ---
**Author:** ![PigBoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/97f17d/32.png) [@PigBoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PigBoy)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2005, 1:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/204 "2005-01-14T01:45:11Z")
> [@blowero](#): > > So are there a lot of accidents at these intersections with the conflicting green arrows? I would think there would be. I don’t think there are too many in the intersections I know of, at least not because of U-turns. I think at these places U-turns are too rare for much conflict to arise. By the way, just to confirm an earlier statement, I did find some legislation from the city of Columbus (Ohio) that says U-turns are prohibited. So I’m calling the cops, **Cinnamon Girl**! ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2005, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/205 "2005-01-14T02:55:37Z")
Gahhhhh, Can’t believe I’m back. On the simultaneous right turn and left turn arrow. If the Right hand turner stayes in their lane (which they can), and a person that made a U-turn (instead of a left) hit them, It would be the U turners fault. Illegal lane use. ---
**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 14, 2005, 3:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/206 "2005-01-14T03:37:56Z")
> [@PigBoy](#): > > By the way, just to confirm an earlier statement, I did find some legislation from the city of Columbus (Ohio) that says U-turns are prohibited. So I’m calling the cops, **Cinnamon Girl**! Ah, well. Perhaps I can get the citation thrown out of court when I tell the judge that their legislature neglected to add it to Title 21 of their own city codes. 😉 See link on [their own website](http://www.cityofcolumbus.org/) to Columbus City Codes listed under Business. At least I can say I did my homework. ---
**Author:** ![PigBoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/97f17d/32.png) [@PigBoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PigBoy)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2005, 4:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/207 "2005-01-14T04:06:42Z")
> [@Cinnamon Girl](#): > > Ah, well. Perhaps I can get the citation thrown out of court when I tell the judge that their legislature neglected to add it to Title 21 of their own city codes. 😉 > > See link on [their own website](http://www.cityofcolumbus.org/) to Columbus City Codes listed under Business. > > At least I can say I did my homework. Actually… looks like it is there. 2131.12 You’re in big trouble.😛 Unless maybe your u-turn was before December 2003, when it seems the rule was passed, according to the “City Bulletin” I first saw it in. ---
**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 14, 2005, 7:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/208 "2005-01-14T07:00:23Z")
> [@PigBoy](#): > > Actually… looks like it is there. 2131.12 > You’re in big trouble.😛 Unless maybe your u-turn was before December 2003, when it seems the rule was passed, according to the “City Bulletin” I first saw it in. Now, how did I miss that? :smack: Okay, well, then I guess no UEs in Cols. Thanks, PigBoy. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![spinky](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/59ef9b/32.png) [@spinky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/spinky)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2005, 9:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/209 "2005-01-15T09:00:02Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > If the Right hand turner stayes in their lane (which they can), and a person that made a U-turn (instead of a left) hit them, It would be the U turners fault. Illegal lane use. Forgive us if we take your “expert” opinion on this matter with a grain of salt, considering your opinion that any U-turns **at all** constitute “illegal lane use.” ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2005, 5:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/210 "2005-01-15T17:04:45Z")
You’re forgiven. “Expert” ehh. Never said I was. I did say that I’ve been driving for 30 years, and have never been involved in any type of accident. I must be doing something right. I avoid unexpected maneuvers and look for other people making them. To me, U-turns are much like driving the speed limit in the left lane. Legal (in some, most[?] places), but not a good idea. Actually, the last two U-turns I’ve seen where illegal, one not too bad, the other performed by an idiot on the damn highway. A two lane highway (not divided), this guy practically comes to a stop and makes a U-turn, crossing the double yellow line. I KNOW that nobody is advocating that kind of stuff. Around here, I would guess that most of the U-turners missed a previous turn/changed their mind/are lost. Not really a surprise considering the amount of tourists we have. Before someone accuses me of being a mind reader again, note this-. There are two, two intersections in this county that would be a reasonable place to make a U-turn. All other places can be driven to directly. People that defend U-turns don’t seem to think that the maneuver clutters up traffic. I disagree, and would prefer that people pay better attention, and not miss their turn, and/or plan their route better and know where they’re going BEFORE they get in the car. For those people that a U-turn is the only reasonable way to get to your destination, be my guest. ---
**Author:** ![OpalCat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8edcca/32.png) [@OpalCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/OpalCat)\ **Post date:** [January 15, 2005, 7:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/211 "2005-01-15T19:32:17Z")
> [@zut](#): > > Well, I was taught in driver’s ed that the person making a right-hand turn has right-of-way over people making left-hand turns. Which I guess your U-turn is, sort of. So in this situation, I’d assume the person making the right-hand turn has the right-of-way. > > Sorry, no cite, but you didn’t give one either. (In Arizona) I was taught that people already on the road have the right of way over people trying to get onto the road. Hence, the person making the U-turn has the rigth of way. ---
**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 15, 2005, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/212 "2005-01-15T23:02:45Z")
> [@enipla](#): > > People that defend U-turns don’t seem to think that the maneuver clutters up traffic. I disagree, and would prefer that people pay better attention, and not miss their turn, and/or plan their route better and know where they’re going BEFORE they get in the car. With this I agree, except when to avoid a U-turn means crawling in the left lane of a road looking for the street you need to turn on. I see plenty of them. Maybe your streets are well marked, but I have lived plenty of places where it is almost impossible to see a street name until you are right up on it. I think a U-turn might be safer than driving for a half mile in fits and starts, but the best is well marked roads. ---
**Author:** ![EllisDee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ellisdee/32/4531_2.png) [@EllisDee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EllisDee)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/213 "2005-01-16T02:16:58Z")
> [@OpalCat](#): > > (In Arizona) I was taught that people already on the road have the right of way over people trying to get onto the road. Hence, the person making the U-turn has the rigth of way. Careful. That’s really just a re-wording of “the more lanes your cross, the more you must yield.” Even if it is correct, it is apparently stupid and irrelevant. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 16, 2005, 3:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/214 "2005-01-16T15:42:20Z")
> [@Voyager](#): > > With this I agree, except when to avoid a U-turn means crawling in the left lane of a road looking for the street you need to turn on. I see plenty of them. Maybe your streets are well marked, but I have lived plenty of places where it is almost impossible to see a street name until you are right up on it. I think a U-turn might be safer than driving for a half mile in fits and starts, but the best is well marked roads. I see, and agree with your point here. Ya know, I think we are in such different driving enviornments, that this can’t really be debated. Yeah, I’m a bit anal about some things. Driving is one of them. Sometimes it pays to be extra cautious. One thing that bugs me is when someone makes a left turn and does not stay in their lane (that would be inside to inside). I compare U-turns to left turns. It seems to me that the law turns a blind eye to the whole ‘stay in your own lane thing’ when it comes to U-turns. Maybe they should be outlawed and be done with it, wouldn’t bother me a bit. Yes I know that it is imposible for a vehicle to stay in it’s lane on a U-turn, just like a Semi may take up the whole road when making a left or right turn. So, the law allows for exceptions. Fine. Still a good truck driver will avoid situations where his rig blocks or clutters up traffic. I think all drivers should do this, and that some folks don’t care how their actions affect others. Sometimes it can’t be avoided, sometimes it can. ---
**Author:** ![blowero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/41988e/32.png) [@blowero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blowero)\ **Post date:** [January 17, 2005, 7:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/215 "2005-01-17T07:28:34Z")
> [@ntucker](#): > > Forgive us if we take your “expert” opinion on this matter with a grain of salt, considering your opinion that any U-turns **at all** constitute “illegal lane use.” Heh heh. > [@enipla](#): > > I did say that I’ve been driving for 30 years…[blah, blah…] I’m sorry, but just because you’re old doesn’t mean you’re right. ---
**Author:** ![enipla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/54ee81/32.png) [@enipla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/enipla)\ **Post date:** [January 18, 2005, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957/216 "2005-01-18T01:30:14Z")
> [@blowero](#): > > Heh heh. > > I’m sorry, but just because you’re old doesn’t mean you’re right. “There are old pilots, and there are bold pilots, there are no old bold pilots.” With a nod to exceptions like Chuck Yeager. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/im-making-a-u-turn-i-have-the-fucking-right-of-way-asshole/280957.md?page=10)