California Vehicle Code makes clear the safest ways to make a U-Turn. The code deals with where you can make one in a business district and in a residential district.
It determines how traffic in the area affects the U-turn, and indicates how far you must be able to see before being able to make a safe and legal U-turn.
It’s also important to remember that the driver making a U-turn must yield to any oncoming traffic and to drivers making left turns. In most cases, the turning driver would be liable for any collisions that resulted from a U-turn.
No person in a business district shall make a U-turn, except at an intersection, or on a divided highway where an opening has been provided in accordance with Section 21651. This turning movement shall be made as close as practicable to the extreme left-hand edge of the lanes moving in the driver’s direction of travel immediately prior to the initiation of the turning movement, when more than one lane in the direction of travel is present.
Where You Can Make a U-Turn in California
CVC 22102 explains where along the street and where in the lane you should make your U-Turn from while in a “business district.”
Business District U-Turns: Here, U-turns must be made at intersections or at gaps made specifically in divided highways.
CVC 235 defines a business district as any stretch along one side of the road where, for a distance of 600 feet or more, 50 percent or more of the contiguous property is occupied by businesses, or businesses running along two sides of the road for 300 feet are comprised of 50% or more of businesses.
Residential District U-Turns: CVC 22103 mandates that people turning in a “residence district” should only attempt a U-turn if they can see that there are no other vehicles in either direction within 200 feet. This is the rule unless the U-turn is made at an intersection where the oncoming traffic is controlled by a traffic signal.
CVC 515 defines a residential district as a stretch of road a quarter of a mile long or more occupied by a contiguous 13 or more separate dwelling houses or business structures. It may also be defined as a quarter-mile stretch or more on both sides of the road, where contiguous property fronting thereon is occupied by 16 or more separate dwelling houses or business structures.
See: Other traffic laws that may determine who is financially responsible for a California accident.
No U-Turns at Fire Stations
The Vehicle Code also protects the areas and right-of-way around fire stations to prevent a traffic situation during an emergency.
No person shall make a U-turn in front of the driveway entrance or approaches to a fire station. No person shall use the driveway entrance or approaches to a fire station for the purpose of turning a vehicle so as to proceed in the opposite direction.
U-Turns on California Highways
A U-Turn on a highway, likely away from business and residential districts, is a bit different.
Drivers will need an unobstructed view of traffic and the road for at least 200 feet in both directions.
No person shall make a U-turn upon any highway where the driver of such vehicle does not have an unobstructed view for 200 feet in both directions along the highway and of any traffic thereon.
This makes stretches where the highway ahead or behind is blocked by something like a curve or a hill an illegal place to make a U-turn.
It’s different from the 200 feet for residential U-turns. There, the 200 feet just refers to other vehicles. On highways, the visibility includes everything…the road and any approaching cars.
When to Contact a Lawyer After a California Car Accident
If a careless driver’s U-turn causes a collision and leaves you with a serious injury, it’s a good idea to talk over your options with a lawyer. With higher recovery bills, the other drivers insurer will fight harder to avoid blame and could even try to point the finger of blame at you.
You can speak to a California Car Accident Lawyer in a free case consultation. It’s confidential and comes with no obligation. Reach out to us as soon as possible.