Although U-turns are considered safer than two and three-point turns, they are often prohibited for various reasons. Sometimes a sign indicates the legality of U-turns. However, traffic regulations in many jurisdictions specifically prohibit certain types of U-turns. Laws vary by jurisdiction as to when a U-turn may or may not be legal. Examples of jurisdictions with codified U-turn prohibitions include the Canadian provinces of
Alberta and
British Columbia and the U.S. states of
Colorado and
Oregon.
Canada In Alberta, U-turns are prohibited in certain circumstances, for example (ref. Alberta Regulation 304/2002, Division 7): • At the crest of a hill or on a curve unless the driver can see at least 150 m ahead • Anywhere a sign prohibits a U-turn • In urban areas between intersections • At alleys and driveways • At an intersection controlled by a
traffic signal (unless signage or signals specifically allow this maneuver) • By a school bus on an undivided highway or on a divided highway where the length of the bus is longer than the width of the median between the two carriageways Other provinces and territories that prohibit U-turns at traffic signals include
Yukon,
British Columbia and
Saskatchewan.
Taiwan In
Taiwan, Article 49 of the Act Governing the Punishment of Violation of Road traffic Regulations (
zh:道路交通管理處罰條例) administratively fines a motorist 600 to 1800
new Taiwan dollars for any of the following unlawful U-turn: • Making a U-turn on a curve, a slope, a narrow road, a narrow bridge, or a tunnel. • Making a U-turn at a road segment signed No U-turn or painted double solid yellow or white lines or no-overtaking lines. • Making a U-turn at a road segment prohibiting left turn. • Not surrounding a
roundabout to make a U-turn in such an intersection. • Before making a U-turn, failing to stop or signal left turn as required, or making a U-turn without paying attention to vehicles or pedestrians passing by. In addition, a Taiwanese driver license is demerited one point for an unlawful U-turn pursuant to Article 63 of the same Act unless the license has been suspended or revoked. Furthermore, the same Act makes a U-turn on a
railway level crossing a violation for drivers of motorized and non-motorized vehicles: • Article 54: A driver of a motor vehicle shall be administratively fined 6000 to 12000
new Taiwan dollars for making a U-turn on a railway level crossing. Should an accident occur, the
driver license shall also be revoked, which is
for life pursuant to Article 67. This lifetime revocation used to be absolute, but the amendment of the law proclaimed on 28 December 2005 and effective on 1 July 2006 has allowed a possible waiver after serving at least six years of the revocation. • Article 75: A driver of a non-motorized vehicle (e.g. a
bicycle) shall be administratively fined 1200 to 2400 New Taiwan dollars for making a U-turn on a railway level crossing. ==See also==