U Turns Around Boulevards

[techrtr]

Lately in Kelowna I've been noticing a lot of drivers doing u-turns around boulevards at intersections, sometimes completely ignoring oncoming traffic. Never used to see it but now it seems like a lot of people are doing it. I saw a guy do it at the intersection of Banks and Harvey Avenue and two lanes of traffic had to make an emergency stop otherwise he would have been broadsided. *bleep*!

[Bsuds]

From ICBC's website and yes I agree and have seen this happening more and more.
Some drivers just don't get it!

U-turns
If you find you are going in the wrong direction, you may be
tempted to make a U-turn. U-turns are often risky. They are
illegal:
• if they interfere with other traffic
• on a curve
• on or near the crest of a hill, where you cannot be seen by
other traffic within 150 metres
• where a sign prohibits U-turns
• at an intersection where there is a traffic light
• in a business district, except at an intersection where there is
no traffic light
• where a municipal by-law prohibits making a U-turn.
When you are deciding whether to make a U-turn, think about
some alternatives, like driving around the block or continuing
on to a side road where you can turn more safely

[kgcayenne]

If you watch Westlake at Hwy 97 in West Kelowna, you will see at least one car for every change of the light do what I call the U-scuttle. It is dangerous and illegal.

[OREZ]

^^^You are correct, and that's been going on for many years. Lot's of people coming from the industrial area, trying to turn left at a fairly short light in the afternoon, and lots of commuters heading to work in Kelowna in the morning.

Is there an overpass in the future plans for that intersection?

[kgcayenne]

Sorta... Just a future *pain in the derrière*, if you ask me.
http://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/trans ... e-westlake

[rush]

Yes I see this a lot in Kelowna in the last year or two.A lot of them are Alberta plates.It is not illegal in Alberta to make a U turn at an intersection.I think there are a lot of Albertons here now that dont know B.C. road laws.

[OREZ]

Hmmm, didn't know that... It must be legal to park on sidewalks in Alberta too.

[kgcayenne]

Yes I see this a lot in Kelowna in the last year or two.A lot of them are Alberta plates.It is not illegal in Alberta to make a U turn at an intersection.I think there are a lot of Albertons here now that dont know B.C. road laws.

It's evident also when you are stuck behind one that does not know it's perfectly legal to make a left hand turn onto a one-way on a red light. It's also somewhat amusing when they look at you in disbelief when you make that turn.

[kgcayenne]

Hmmm, didn't know that... It must be legal to park on sidewalks in Alberta too.

I see it all the time! It must be legal there.

[Bsuds]

Apparently there are many driving laws in Alberta different than BC. Must make it interesting for RCMP officers when they transfer from one province to another.

[lightspeed]

AB u-turns 2 pts $115 fine. Rules are pretty much the same as BC.

[Always Sunny]

Yes I see this a lot in Kelowna in the last year or two.A lot of them are Alberta plates.It is not illegal in Alberta to make a U turn at an intersection.I think there are a lot of Albertons here now that dont know B.C. road laws.

I'll give them that one. I've done completely legal u-turns facing a cop car in Alberta.

However, today I saw two vehicles pull u-turns at two of our busiest intersections. Once at 97 and Banks (turned southbound) and again at 97 and Spall (to turn northbound).

Personally if I missed a turn or can't access the road/driveway I need to, I do the loser-lap and go around the block.

In Alberta you can't do it at a controlled intersection, which is where I most often see it here.

[Bsuds]

The onus is on the driver to be aware of the laws where ever they drive. Ignorance is not a legal defense.