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U-turns in front of oncoming traffic - California Vehicle Code 22105

In most cases, a driver in California can make a u-turn unless it is expressly prohibited. But when is it okay to make a u-turn and when is it not okay to make a u-turn?

California Vehicle Code section 22105 states that you can make a u-turn only when you have an "unobstructed view for 200 feet in both directions along the" street and any traffic. In other words, you cannot make a legal u-turn if you cannot see 200 feet in both directions.

One of the most common collisions we see is the head-on collision where one driver tries to make a u-turn even though there is traffic approaching from the other direction. The typical result is that the car making the u-turn pulls out in front of the approaching vehicle and causes a collision. Pulling out in front of oncoming traffic violates California Vehicle Code Section 21801, which requires drivers to "yield the right of way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction . . ."

Pete Clancy is an Oakland personal injury attorney.