Tuesday, February 10, 2009

No U-turn in Columbus OHIO

It's probably allowed elsewhere in Ohio. Drive carefully in Columbus!

2131.12 “U” turns prohibited.
(a)No vehicle shall be turned so as to proceed in the opposite direction upon any street or highway. Turns commonly known as “U” turns are hereby prohibited.
(b)Except as otherwise provided in this division, whoever violates this section is guilty of a minor misdemeanor. If, within one (1) year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of or pleaded guilty to one (1) predicate motor vehicle or traffic offense, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the fourth degree. If, within one (1) year of the offense, the offender previously has been convicted of two (2) or more predicate motor vehicle or traffic offenses, whoever violates this section is guilty of a misdemeanor of the third degree. (Ord. 1579-72: Ord. 2120-03 § 1 (part).)

To make a proper U-turn, follow these instructions:
Use your turn signal at least 100 feet prior to turning
Check traffic ahead, behind and beside you before turning
If there's traffic in the area, don't make the U-turn; instead make other turns to reverse your direction
Check traffic again before completing final half of turn
Turn into the lane closest to the center line or median
Note:

It is illegal to make a U-turn on a curve, near the top of a hill, if your vehicle cannot be seen within five hundred feet by the driver of another vehicle approaching from either direction or when a sign prohibiting U-turns is posted.

1 comment:

Orlando Florida Law Student said...

Thanks Mr. Bolong Cao for taking the time to talk with me regarding the U-Turn issue in Columbus, Ohio.
The police there seem to have issues with out of state drivers who don't know that U-turns are illegal only in Columbus. I believe that a warning is fair enough to let an out of state driver know it is against the law. Issuing a ticket is an act of greed. There should be a billboard erected in Columbus or the airport authorities should warn passengers that if you plan on driving in Columbus, Ohio, a u-turn is illegal. Shame on the Franklin County Police dept.