U-turns at T-junctions cause difficulties for many citizens. Not everyone understands whether it is possible to perform maneuvers in such areas, and if such an opportunity exists, how to correctly bring it to life. In fact, everything is not so difficult. It is enough to know some rules of the road, as well as to navigate the terrain. What features should consider drivers who are considering turning around at T-junctions? Is it possible to perform such maneuvers at all? What punishments can violators face? All features associated with T-intersections will be studied further. Learning the rules is not difficult. A much more serious task is the practice of driving and behavior in the studied areas.
Is there a right
The first thing you need to understand is whether a U-turn at the T-junction is allowed. On this occasion, drivers disagree. Someone says that it is possible to carry out maneuvers in these sections of the road, some claim the opposite.
So who is right? In fact, in the rules of the road there are no prohibitions on the implementation of a U-turn at the T-junction. The only thing to consider is that this maneuver should be carried out according to certain rules. It is also recommended that you navigate the area well. This will help ease the U-turn. However, there are exceptions to the rules. What is it about?
Bridges
U-turn at the T-shaped unregulated intersection, as it turned out, is possible. But not always. Under certain circumstances, one should refrain from this maneuver.
The thing is that it is impossible to carry out the studied action on the bridge. This is prohibited a priori. What if the bridge met a T-junction? U-turns on this stretch of road are not permitted. The driver will act only at your own peril and risk. That is, theoretically, he can try to carry out a maneuver, but given the fact that the inspectors of the traffic police have the full right to a fine in one form or another.
Bridges exception
And there is one small caveat. He urges drivers to be more careful about the road and signs located on the side of the road. The thing is that U-turns at T-junctions formed with the participation of the bridge are sometimes permissible.
When exactly? By default, as already found out, this maneuver is prohibited. But if there is a corresponding sign on the side of the road - "U-turn on the bridge is allowed", then you can use this opportunity. Again, subject to certain rules, otherwise a citizen will have to be punished with a fine, or even lose his driver’s license for a certain period.
Dividing strip
Special attention is required to roads on which there is a dividing strip. The thing is that U-turns at T-junctions with similar features are also possible. In general, it doesn’t matter what the area under study will be - with lanes, without them, with traffic lights or unregulated - you can still turn around on them. Only the maneuvering technique will be different.
A small nuance that will help to avoid problems on the road is the choice of the direction of the turn if there is a dividing strip on the site. It is necessary to carry out a maneuver so that the vehicle does not move in the oncoming lane. In other words, choose the so-called long path. When driving in the oncoming lane, even during a maneuver, an administrative penalty may be imposed on the driver. This fact must be taken into account without fail.
Who is allowed
The next question that interests many drivers is who is allowed to carry out the studied action. U-turns at T-junctions can be done by all cars, but mostly cars. But buses and other bulky vehicles are not able to carry out such an action.
The exception is a U-turn at a wide T-junction. There, the radius of the vehicle will not go beyond the road. So, you can bring the idea to life. Nevertheless, such sections of the road are rare. Often the T-shaped sections are narrow. This does not allow the maneuver of bulky vehicles.
Why is this so? All due to the fact that crossing the intersection line is prohibited. This is a direct violation of the established rules of the road. Thus, if you need to deploy a large-sized vehicle, you will either need to find a fairly spacious intersection, or act at your own peril and risk, breaking the rules. The latter option is not recommended for implementation.
Reverse
What else should I look for before turning on a T-junction? There is a small feature that SUV drivers should remember, for example, and indeed any vehicles with a large turning radius. In addition to the limitations already stated - not to travel to the intersection, you need to remember the next rule.
Which one? When making turns at intersections, reverse is prohibited. This rule applies to everyone without exception. Punished such a violation is not too serious. A driver who, for one reason or another, has reversed while performing a maneuver, faces a fine of about 500 rubles. it is not too much, but even such punishment can be avoided. U-turn rules at the T-junction require serious attention. Therefore, drivers with vehicles with a large turning radius should refrain from such manipulations. Or implement them, as has already been explained, in wide areas.
Regulated Areas
U-turn at the T-junction with a traffic light or in any other case, when it comes to an adjustable section, occurs without any problems. It should be remembered that in this situation only the flow of oncoming cars will have to be passed. In this case, movement from the right and left sides will be prohibited through the work of a traffic light.
In this situation, only two basic rules will have to be observed, which have already been said: the trajectory must be chosen so that the car does not move in the oncoming lane, and reverse is also prohibited. And, of course, maneuver is possible only within the intersection.
The trajectory of a U-turn at the T-junction, which is regulated by a traffic light, has no more significant rules and features. The only thing that drivers are advised to pay attention to is the signs installed near the roads. They may prohibit the implementation of the studied maneuver. Accordingly, in this situation, even with controlled movement, you will have to refrain from making a U-turn.
No turning
The following nuance applies mainly to roads with traffic lights. The thing is that the U-turn at the T-junction requires special attention from the driver. The basic principles for maneuvering have already been said. At the same time, great attention should be paid to prohibition signs.
Often, drivers may notice "No left turning." This does not mean that a U-turn is prohibited. In the rules of the road, these actions are different. The tip that you are advised to use is to look at the qualifying signs located under "No left rotation." Often they are able to impose a ban on the studied maneuver. These rules have been in effect for a long time, and in 2016 they were not canceled.
Accordingly, signs prohibiting turns do not preclude the possibility of a turn. The main thing is to comply with the principles already mentioned and not go beyond the crossroads.
Adjoining territory
What else should be considered before carrying out the studied action? You can pay attention to the territory adjacent to the intersection. It can help to turn in the right direction without breaking traffic rules.
U-turns at T-junctions in this way are usually carried out by using the territory mainly on the right side. Calling her recommended backward. Then you do not have to reverse directly on the main road.
Signs or markings
U-turn rules at the T-junction sometimes require special knowledge from the driver. Especially when it comes to bridges. Here, as it turned out, special attention should be paid to signs. Often it turns out that the road markings contradict the signs installed on the sidelines.
How to be in this situation? As practice shows, it is necessary to monitor precisely the prohibition and allowing signs. They dominate the road markings, despite the differences. The driver who makes the maneuver on the bridge when the marks on the road do not allow this, and the signs indicate "Place for a U-turn," have no right to punish. Only if he violated the methodology of the maneuver itself.
Mindfulness on the road
The tips and tricks do not end there. Drivers often give each other recommendations on how to behave when there is a T-junction ahead. The U-turn is carried out according to a certain technique, the violation of which entails one or another responsibility. Often in the form of a fine.
Among the most common recommendations, you can find the following points:
- On a regulated (and in the absence of regulation) section, you need to pay attention to the "Main Road" and the messages "Give Way", as well as "Stop". This will help not to break the rules and complete the maneuver correctly.
- If there is not one of the previously listed characters, you will have to use a rule called "Interference on the right."
- Also, when making a U-turn, the driver must use the turn signals. They need to be switched correctly, indicating their direction. This moment requires special attention.
Perhaps these are all the features that a driver must remember in order not to violate traffic rules. The U-turn at the T-junction, especially the wide one, is usually not a problem. It is enough to behave correctly and turn on the direction indicators.
About Turn Signals
The last point is also extremely important. The thing is that most drivers do not know how to correctly indicate the direction of their movement. In front of a citizen is a T-junction. The U-turn maneuver without fail includes an indication to the rest of the drivers of the future direction.
How does the bulk of citizens behave? For example, when using the adjacent territory on the right, many show this direction of the turn, then switch it to the left signal. That is, to turn to the left side, first point to the opposite side.
This is the wrong behavior. It only confuses the rest of the drivers. In fact, according to the established rules, it is not necessary to show the direction, which implies entering the adjacent territory. This means that the citizen must immediately turn on the left turn signal. So he will show that he is making a left turn. A similar rule applies to the right side. In fact, there is nothing difficult about this.
Direct maneuver
The turning path at the T-junction should already be approximately clear. How to act if the citizen decided to perform this maneuver in practice? Just a few steps - and the job is done! Of course, taking into account all prohibition signs, an action is taken.
Briefly, the entire process can be described as follows:
- First you need to drive to the intersection, while reducing speed as you approach this section of the road. This must be done until the traffic reaches a speed that is safe for maneuvering.
- Choose a convenient, optimal place where the action will take place. It is important to remember the rules prohibiting traffic in oncoming lanes.
- When the road adjoins on the right, you need to call into this section, then make a U-turn in a circular motion. This is done in one go.
- The junction on the left requires special attention. In this case, you will have to stay as close to the right side as possible, and then turn around with a race on a part of the adjacent section.
This is the whole theory that the driver must know and consider. In fact, in practice, everything is much simpler than it seems. It is enough to take into account the rules applicable at the site.
Penalties for violation
But what can a driver expect who, to one degree or another, has violated the rules of the road during a maneuver? It should be remembered that in the absence of prohibition signs, traffic police inspectors do not have the right to fine a citizen for a direct turn. But for the violation of technology - completely.
It has already been said that, for example, reverse gear is punishable by a fine of 500 rubles. This is not the only measure imposed on violators. What else can drivers be afraid of?
For example, for crossing a solid line of delineation of flows without leaving the oncoming lane, you can run into a fine. The cash payment in this case is 1,500 rubles maximum.
Departure into the oncoming lane is a serious violation, even if it was committed during a U-turn at the T-junction. The driver can be fined up to 5,000 rubles. This is at best. The worst is considered deprivation of rights for a period of 4 to 6 months. If a citizen makes a second trip to the oncoming lane, they will take away his driver’s license for 12 months.
All this must be taken into account in order to make turns in accordance with established standards. Least of all problems is a maneuver performed over a wide area. On narrow practice is required. It is not recommended to risk drivers of large vehicles with a large turning radius.
Summarizing
What conclusions can be drawn from the foregoing? The thing is that in fact, U-turns on the roads are very simple. It is enough to take into account a few simple rules and act according to the proposed methodology.
Drivers should first of all pay attention to signs, and only then - on the road markings. You should also be careful about traffic lights in regulated areas. Vigilance must be shown primarily on unfamiliar roads. Therefore, many simply do not dare to take such a serious maneuver at new intersections. The main thing is not to forget about all the other traffic rules, especially about the main road. A little practice - and the T-junction (turn on it) will not be scary!