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.
So are there a lot of accidents at these intersections with the conflicting green arrows? I would think there would be.
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.
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!
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.
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 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.
Now, how did I miss that? :smack:
Okay, well, then I guess no UEs in Cols. Thanks, PigBoy. 
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.”
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.
(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.
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.
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.
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.
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.