Is a U turn legally a right turn?

Savannah02K

Hoping someone can help me with this query. After 30 years of driving with no tickets for anything, I got my first ticket today! Trouble is, I’m not sure whether or not to challenge it so would appreciate some advice.

Basically I was driving down a road that has two roads, one after the other, on the right. Both of these roads are marked with a no right turn label. I realised that I needed to go into the first road (area was new to me) so did a U turn in the second road on the right and came back on myself so I was then turning left. At that point I got stopped by the police who issued a non endorseable fine of £30 (which apparently means if I pay it, I don’t incur any points on my licence). I argued, very politely I might say, that I didn’t turn right, I did a U turn but the police officer said ‘well which direction did you have to turn your wheel to do the U turn?’ My argument is that the no right turn sign on both roads, to me, implies that you don’t turn right to travel down that road but a U turn at the top of the road is a different manoeuvre and requires a different don't do it sign.

Two questions, does anyone think my interpretation would be worth not paying the £30 fine but instead be worth asking for a court appearance and trying to challenge it there, and secondly, if I do that and lose, do I just incur the £30 fine or would I incur court charges too?

All advice greatfully received.

Thanks,

maninthestreet

There is a NO RIGHT TURN SIGN, and a NO U-TURNS SIGN. They are NOT the same:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/documents/digitalasset/dg_070642.pdf

I reckon the copper got it wrong.

Quentin

If you elect for a hearing, then all bets are off in relation to the £30 ticket. So if you are found guilty, then expect a higher fine plus costs.

Savannah02K

any idea what kind of higher fine/costs? Tis all new to me .....

and am feeling particularly aggrieved as we had travellers descend on nearby parkland on Tuesday (almost 100 of them). They drove over pedestrian access to the parkland and to do so, chainsawed their way through several gates. On being told of this the police reaction was ‘it’s council property, nothing we can do to stop them.’

Strider590

The reason for "no right turn" is to prevent cars blocking the road by sitting there waiting to turn. So whether you did a U turn or not, you still defeated the purpose of the "no right turn".

mikey72

maninthestreet wrote: »

There is a NO RIGHT TURN SIGN, and a NO U-TURNS SIGN. They are NOT the same:

http://www.direct.gov.uk/prod_consum_dg/groups/dg_digitalassets/@dg/@en/documents/digitalasset/dg_070642.pdf

I reckon the copper got it wrong.

Indeed there are, that's because you can do a right turn if there is u turn sign, it's only the u turn that's prohibited.
You can't do either if there is a no right turn sign,
(have ever seen both signs together?)

Inactive

Just pay up and move on.;)

Savannah02K

Think you're right Inactive, it just irks me that while they were talking to me, they actually waved past a local authority van that had done exactly the same manoeuvre.

Inactive

Savannah02K wrote: »

Think you're right Inactive, it just irks me that while they were talking to me, they actually waved past a local authority van that had done exactly the same manoeuvre.

I agree it does seem harsh, but it really isn't worth worrying about.

At least it is only £30.;)

bribri_2

OP. Sorry. I haven't understood what happened. Step by step. Was it a dual carriageway? Were there traffic lights? Did you cross the boundary of the second road? in which case how did you get there without turning right. If you did the u-turn wholly within the main road, then that may be different.

Was it a U-turn (a single move) or a 3-point turn?

Finally and pragmatically - as it is a police notice and as has been said - you run the risk of coming off badly if you appeal and lose.

skiddlydiddly

Previous to this thread I'd have probably argued the toss, but it doesn seem for the sake of £30 i might not be worth contesting.Pick fights you know you can win and all that.