U-Turns Legal?

Q: I've recently made a bet (with one of your Auxiliary Members) in
relation to the rules surrounding U-turns. My friend (the member) did a U-turn directly in front of the police station to angle park on the other side of a road near the arena, however he crossed a double solid yellow to do it.

I'm under the impression that unless directed by a police officer there is no other circumstance that grants an individual the right to cross a double solid yellow. He's bet $20.00 that it's alright as long as it's clear and
safe to do so. Please indulge my wallet with your version of the rules here.

A: I would not be handing over the $20 just yet. When you indicated a U-turn, did the driver just turn over the double solid to enter a parking stall even with the area of crossing over the double solid lines or did the driver do a U-turn and proceed in the opposite direction and then pull into a parking stall. If it was the second situation, this is considered a business district and in that case it would be considered an illegal maneuver.

When a driver is causing a vehicle to enter or leave a highway, roadway or street, the driver must ascertain that he or she can do so safely and does so without unreasonably affecting the travel of another vehicle. You are permitted to make a left turn over a single or double solid line provided that you do not impede traffic behind your vehicle.

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