U-Turns On Streets

Q: When is it legal and illegal to make u-turns on streets here in Kelowna? I've been told you cannot make a u-turn anywhere on any city street but, at the same time, I've seen signs in places stating that you cannot make a u-turn at that particular place. I understand that to mean that it is ok to make a u-turn in other places. Please clear up my confusion.

A: U-Turns are a largely misunderstood driving maneuver. The Motor Vehicle Act refers to u-turns as reverse turns. It is illegal to make a u-turn at a controlled intersection with traffic lights. It is illegal to make a u-turn in a business district. The law is quite explicit.

Reverse turn
Section 168 of the Motor Vehicle Act indicates that except as provided by the bylaws of a municipality, a driver must not turn a vehicle so as to proceed in the opposite direction
(a) unless the driver can do so without interfering with other traffic, or,
(b) when he or she is driving
(i) on a curve,
(ii) on an approach to or near the crest of a grade where the vehicle cannot be seen by the driver of another vehicle approaching from either direction within 150 m,
(iii) at a place where a sign prohibits making a U-turn,
(iv) at an intersection where a traffic control signal has been erected, or
(v) in a business district, except at an intersection where no traffic control signal has been erected.

Constable R.A.(Richard) ASELTON
Central Okanagan Traffic Services - Media Liaison
Kelowna R.C.M.P. Detachment

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