For those of us where U-Turns are legal unless otherwise posted, or if you are in NJ where they have the good old Jug Handles. In South FLA btw. Here is a problem I have had in the recent past, (several times over the years) while sitting in a 2 lane left turning lane, I was sitting in the far left because I intended to make a U-turn. Light turns green everyone is going as fast as they can to make the light (God forbid they have to wait another few minutes) as I approach the turn I slow down hitting my brakes, the car behind me starts laying on the horn because he almost hits me. As we all do when making a U-Turn we have to slow down as we approach the turn and look for cars making a right from the other direction. No incident, now fast forward 3 weeks. My wife is driving her E-350 Benz. Same situation, coincidentally the same intersection, as bad luck would have it she gets hit from behind by a young man who afterwards decides to get out of his car and begins to get in my wife's personal space yelling and screaming at her for making a U-Turn. What a mistake he made, because she proceeded to reach into her car for "the flashlight" (in broad daylight may I add) that doubles as a very nice, shall I say a nice 14 inch piece of protection. Well the young man backed off and went back to his car and waited for police. Needless to say he did receive a citation for failure to yield, reckless driving, and for icing on the cake he was so pissed off he gave the police officer "lip" and promptly got himself arrested.
So after the stories my question is how many of you have had this happen where it has been a close call or even gotten hit during a U-Turn, and what state? Please share your story. Thanks

 

Personally, even if legal, I don't do uturns. Just as easy and safe to pull into a lot or side street to turn around. Plus, I call them banana turns invite accidents.

 

^This.^

 

I try not to make U-turns, especially on main/busy roads; I'll drive down a little further & pull into a parking lot or side street. I have witnessed too many incidents such as the one you've posted, especially at one particular intersection right outside Nellis AFB. People in a hurry & trying to 'beat the light' end up rear ending someone trying to make a U-turn.

 

I agree... I will only make u-turns in very low-congestion traffic flow situations, and even then its very rare.

Unlike a lot of us, many people out there do not drive defensively at all (which means _paying attention to others on the road_), and don't see the person making the U-turn. They are too busy on their darn cell phone, and certainly are in a hurry.

Sorry to hear of your story...glad your wife was packing heat.

 

I live in Nebraska and have never had an issue, however the drivers in my state are more layed back.
I have worked in several states, I thought that the drivers in Houston, TX were dangerous but changed my mind as I am currently working in Kentucky and they are some of the worst, constantly running lights and most always driving 15 to 20 miles over the posted speed limit, they will cut you off, squeeze between you and the car ahead and then hit the brakes and flip you off for no reason.
I leave the motel at 3:30 am for the plant were I am working and head back at 4:00 pm so I do not have to deal with the jerks on the roads.
The people as a whole in KY are very nice here, helpful, polite and very caring until they get behind the wheel.
Took Friday off, the wife and I drove to Bowling Green, KY and took in the tour of the Corvette plant and the museum, it was worth it we had a great time and we noticed that most of us on the tour were well over 50.
The wife wants to go back through the museum again before we head home.

I can not wait to get through with the project that I am on so I can go home and drive our Vette.

 

As soon as the nose of the vette breaks the plane of the intersection I stand on it, wheels spinning crank the wheel to the left, as the rear starts to swing around, still on full throttle I crank the wheel to the right, let off the throttle, straighten the wheel and head off down the street.

 

It's called driving defensively and not following too close. Common sense not rocket science. That punk can't drive! !

 

I make u turns often but never have gotten into a fight over it. I think you guys there are wound up a bit too tightly.

So your wife threatened some young guy with a 14" flashlight? That scared him off?

I also think your young guys are pansies. Wound too tight pansies.

 

Woo hoo

 

You're wife is lucky that when she threatened him with the flashlight he didn't pull out a gun.

 

Something is funny. A chick with a flashlight doesn't need one to have a gun to defend against.

 

 

gman, I understand your concern, and have never had a close call, though I make a lot of legal u-turns. Maybe I've never had a close call because...I don't slow down to a crawl to make the turn! I have a real problem with folks who think a u-turn is a challenging maneuver, deciding that they must nearly stop as they enter the intersection, then v e r y s l o w l y proceed through their u-turn. As for the guy who might be turning right, into your u-turn lane...there is plenty of time to stop for him, and still be out of the way of following traffic.

I am not saying at all that you do are one of the "crawling u-turners". For all I know, you might do it at a normal, safe speed, and just have a lot of idiots at those intersections. But, for those of you who think you need to practically stop before completing your u-turn....DON'T!!!

 

Welker...I'm in Vegas. Almost all the lights here in town have green arrows for left turns and u-turns, which really helps a lot. I don't see many problems, and I am certain not to hold up traffic behind me when i make a u-turn. But, if you are making u-turns at a standard green light...that is pretty dicey in traffic.

 

I had some a$$hole pass me in the left lane just as I was about to pull into it. Mind you, his lane was for left turns at the light. As you go thru the light that lane is for left lane passing for those going straight. At the next light I had a few choice words for him. BIG MISTAKE. He wanted to kill me right at the spot.being 68 I knew I was no match for a Jersey City phsyco. He leaned out his window and spit on my car and proceeded to follow me screaming out his window trying to pass me ony right side. I stayed my course thinking he would give up, NOT. I placed my gun on the passenger seat and pulled down a rural country road ready to pull over to confront the maniac who with luck on my side pulled into a side road and went back to the main road. I know I was wrong in initiating the fiasco but I was pissed that I almost hit him for his carelessness.

 

IMO This is why U turns are illegal most places.

 

Slamming on the brakes to make the u-turn is the issue. You will likely be on the receiving end of road rage or get rear ended if you continue to do that.

 

Sad, too many psychos and they seem to be multiplying on a daily basis. You can get in trouble just looking at another driver.

 

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