U-Turns - Safety First: When are U-turns allowed?

U-Turns - Safety First: When are U-turns allowed?

• A. They are allowed whenever there is enough space and traffic allows.
• B. Only perform U-turns when safe; prohibited at specific locations in urban and rural areas.
• C. They are allowed on highways at all times with a green light.
• D. They are allowed in any residential street corner.

Answer: (B)

U-turns must be made only when you can do them safely and where the law allows. While space and low traffic help, they aren’t the only factors—there are specific places where U-turns are prohibited, in both urban and rural areas. Signs, road design, and sightlines tell you where a U-turn is not allowed, and ignoring them can put you and others at risk. Think about it this way: you should perform a U-turn only if you can complete the maneuver without interfering with opposing or moving traffic, without crossing into oncoming lanes, and without forcing pedestrians or cyclists to react suddenly. On highways, U-turns are generally not permitted, even if a light is green, because of high speeds and divided road design. Likewise, turning at residential street corners isn’t a blanket permission—you still must assess visibility and any prohibiting signs. That’s why the best rule is to U-turn only when it’s safe and not restricted by location or sign.

U-turns must be made only when you can do them safely and where the law allows. While space and low traffic help, they aren’t the only factors—there are specific places where U-turns are prohibited, in both urban and rural areas. Signs, road design, and sightlines tell you where a U-turn is not allowed, and ignoring them can put you and others at risk.

Think about it this way: you should perform a U-turn only if you can complete the maneuver without interfering with opposing or moving traffic, without crossing into oncoming lanes, and without forcing pedestrians or cyclists to react suddenly. On highways, U-turns are generally not permitted, even if a light is green, because of high speeds and divided road design. Likewise, turning at residential street corners isn’t a blanket permission—you still must assess visibility and any prohibiting signs.

That’s why the best rule is to U-turn only when it’s safe and not restricted by location or sign.