Would you be allowed to do a U-turn here?

[Stratton_Gun]

For those in Melbourne. Was having an argument with a mate a couple of days ago over whether you could do a U-turn here.

 

[Messenger]

I'd say you can, but you'd be giving way to the traffic turning left out of the other road.

 

[Stratton_Gun]

I'd say you can, but you'd be giving way to the traffic turning left out of the other road.

Yeh I thought you could but my mate said you couldn't because there is only one lane going the other way and it would be taken up by the cars turning left of the other road

 

[Stratton_Gun]

Messenger
This has got me thinking about different give way situations what I guess I work out subconsciosuly when I am on the road
When a car is doing a U-turn and there is another car in the slip lane also trying to get into that lane, who gives way? I know it says that a car doing a U-turn has to give way to everyone but technically by the time you pass the slip lane, you're already on the road so would the car in the slip line be the one needed to give way?

 

[Messenger]

Messenger
This has got me thinking about different give way situations what I guess I work out subconsciosuly when I am on the road
When a car is doing a U-turn and there is another car in the slip lane also trying to get into that lane, who gives way? I know it says that a car doing a U-turn has to give way to everyone but technically by the time you pass the slip lane, you're already on the road so would the car in the slip line be the one needed to give way?

Urgh. The intersection you had on the picture is very similar to one I negotiate every day, which I why I was so quick to answer. I think the slip lane question might depend on whether they have a light for lane (green or red arrow) or whether they are under control of a Give Way sign.

 

[Stratton_Gun]

Urgh. The intersection you had on the picture is very similar to one I negotiate every day, which I why I was so quick to answer. I think the slip lane question might depend on whether they have a light for lane (green or red arrow) or whether they are under control of a Give Way sign.

I meant assuming it was a "give way sign"

 

[Syphoncom]

In Victoria, U-turns are permitted at intersections with signals unless there is a ‘no U-turn’ sign.

You can't do a U-turn over an unbroken line in normal traffic, that changed December 2 years ago iirc (quietly).

 

[Stratton_Gun]

So Messenger for the one I posted a pic of, what would the car doing a U-turn do? wait in he middle of the intersection for the left turners to go and hold up the other turners behind him or what would be the go ?

 

[Sterge]

I know that intersection as long as there were no trams I would wait on the tracks to let others past then uturn when the other side is free worst case scenario you uturn on the orange

 

[Messenger]

So Messenger for the one I posted a pic of, what would the car doing a U-turn do? wait in he middle of the intersection for the left turners to go and hold up the other turners behind him or what would be the go ?

In the picture in the OP the U-turner would give way to traffic turning left.

 

[Stratton_Gun]

I know that intersection as long as there were no trams I would wait on the tracks to let others past then uturn when the other side is free worst case scenario you uturn on the orange

Yeh thats a good ideaactually
but what about the cars behind you, they probably wont be too happy haha

 

[Stratton_Gun]

last one Messenger I promise

this is what i meant about the slip lane. say if the volkswagon you see in the pic was doing a u-turn, and there was a car in the slip lane who would have to give way?
i know "u-turn has to give way to everyone" but technically they would already be on the road when the slip lane car is waiting.

 

[Messenger]

I'd say the car in the slip lane gives way.

 

[Syphoncom]

The car performing the U-turn must give way.

That's an odd one, because the lines indicate that any traffic already on the road at the point where the car would turn left would have "right of way" so to speak, but in Victoria (assuming that's what you're talking about), it's actually the U-turn that must give way.

Even though it seems odd the basic rule of thumb is: if you're performing a U-turn, you must give way to everyone.

 

[Stratton_Gun]

The car performing the U-turn must give way.

That's an odd one, because the lines indicate that any traffic already on the road at the point where the car would turn left would have "right of way" so to speak, but in Victoria (assuming that's what you're talking about), it's actually the U-turn that must give way.

Even though it seems odd the basic rule of thumb is: if you're performing a U-turn, you must give way to everyone.

yeh i can see what you mean but in the picture the car doing the u-turn will already be on the road by the time the one in the slip lane can go and the car in the slip lane will need to give way isnt it?

 

[Syphoncom]

That's why I was saying it is a bit of an oddity; I don't think this is likely to occur and you'll probably find that both people will be at such a slow speed that it will sort itself out.

Road Safety

A driver must not begin a u-turn unless they have a clear view of any approaching traffic and can safely make the u-turn without unreasonably obstructing the free movement of traffic. The driver making the u-turn must give way to all vehicles and pedestrians, without exception. This includes giving way to vehicles turning left from slip lane or a side street even if they have a Give Way or Stop sign.

I understand it's ambiguous because of how the slip lane isn't exactly at the point of the U-turn, however, that's the case with all slip lanes; slip lanes will always be further down the road but the driver making the u-turn must still give way.

 

[radiojake]

I remember the first time I was in Melbourne on a school trip and a whole heap of us couldn't believe how many people were doing U-turns at traffic lights. We eventually figured that it must be legal, but at first we thought we were witnessing an epidemic of road rule breaking drivers!