Making turns are a normal part of driving. Most destinations are off of the road we are taking and require some sort of turn. In some cases we may miss our turn and need to act quickly. However, if the turn is improper, we can be issued a traffic ticket for it. An improper turn is a 3-point offense on the driving record and will remain on the driving record for 3 years. It is a moving violation and can affect insurance rates depending on your insurance company and an attorney can help.
Improper U-Turn in Prince William County
Virginia Code §46.2-845 forbids making a U-turn unless it is at an intersection and there isn't a "No U-Turn" sign prohibiting the maneuver. If the U-Turn is made at any place that isn't an intersection then a police officer can issue a ticket for it.
In addition, a U-Turn cannot be made if your vehicle cannot be seen by another vehicle within 500 feet on a curve or the top of a hill. As a result, even if at an intersection, a U-Turn is not permitted in those instances where the oncoming traffic cannot see you (so to avoid an accident).
Other Types of Improper Turns in Prince William County
Many types of turns are governed by Virginia Code §46.2-856 but a "wide turn" is prohibited in any instance. Essentially, a person must stay in their line during the entirety of the turn. However, all localities are given the authority to regulate traffic by traffic control devices irrespective to this statute. As a result, it is important to pay close attention to the signs around you because they can surprise you.
- All Right Turns: Both the approach towards a right turn and the right turn itself must be made as close as practicable to the right side of the roadway.
- Left Turns on two-way roadways: The approach towards a left turn must be made as close as possible to the roadway's center line and the left turn itself must be made as close as practicable to the left side of the roadway.
- Left Turns on other roadways: The driver must approach the left turn in the extreme left lane available and, when entering the intersection, shall leave the intersection in the left lane.
If you have been charged with making an Improper Turn in Prince William County and wish to try to avoid any DMV points on your driving record, an attorney can help. We handle improper turn cases for all of Prince William County Localities, including: City of Manassas, Manassas Park, Town of Occoquan, Town of Dumfries, and Town of Haymarket. We offer a free consultation would be happy to speak about your case and available options.