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Making a proper u-turn on Main Street

Intersections along Main Street in Carlyle can be a point of contention. Last week an individual described an encounter with a vehicle that was attempting a u-turn.
Intersection

                  Intersections along Main Street in Carlyle can be a point of contention. Last week an individual described an encounter with a vehicle that was attempting a u-turn. The person conducting the u-turn hugged the inside curb placing a turning vehicle between them and oncoming traffic. Instead of waiting to be able to see if their route was clear the u-turner started going and nearly collided with the complainant - a vehicle with the right of way.

                  The town permits u-turns at intersections along Main Street, but it’s essential you remain in your proper lane when conducting a u-turn – the right-hand side of the road.  This is because you don’t want anything passing between you and where vehicles are coming from, which becomes especially important when it comes to people attempting a u-turn on Main Street.

                  According to SGI’s, Tyler McMurchy – Manager Media Relations, “For some reason, when doing a u-turn, many drivers forget to use the regular driving lane rules that apply in all other driving situations. While unfortunately common, there is nothing in legislation that allows the driver to all of a sudden place themselves left of centre when making a U-turn at an intersection. The proper approach is to proceed to the space that you would occupy if you were simply making a left turn, that is, positioning yourself in the lane that would take you east on Souris [if you were a southbound vehicle] and commence your u-turn from there.”

                  Thus, traffic should follow their proper turning lanes without cutting across the centre or inside the centre and always be on the right-hand side of oncoming traffic in order to ensure the path they are taking is clear.

                  “When turning left at an intersection (including u-turns), a lot is going on and the driver must be extra cautious and watch out for all vehicle and pedestrian traffic. Not all drivers follow the rules of the road and in this situation in particular, one should slow down and drive prepared for others to make mistakes.”