U-turns on narrow lane - legal?

Norma_Desmond

Sgt_Pepper wrote: »

The white boulders were the clue.

Only to stop parking; we've lived here over 8 years now and the problem with u-turning drivers has only recently become a problem - more people 'staycationing' and finding their way here I guess.

neilmcl

Norma_Desmond wrote: »

Yep, mainly visitors to the area; I may well get a sign put up OR borrow my neighbour's tractor to shift another boulder into place.

Would that be on your land or the public highway?

pinkteapot

Norma_Desmond wrote: »

Only to stop parking; we've lived here over 8 years now and the problem with u-turning drivers has only recently become a problem - more people 'staycationing' and finding their way here I guess.

Could be that one of the sat-nav systems is directing people down the lane by mistake.

I used to live in a cul-de-sac and we had a spell of articulated lorries having to try and turn round at the bottom. There was an industrial estate behind us and TomTom thought that the footpath to it from the bottom of our street was a road.

I wouldn't worry about it unduly. With the speed people normally do U-turns at, they'll do more damage to their car than to your house. Despite the pictures in the papers, it takes a car going at a fair lick to plough through a wall...

muckybutt

If it were me and my wall i'd be off down the scrappies to get a solid lump of quarter inch steel angle iron to protect the corner a wee bit more, easier to replace that than having to rebuild a stone wall. I'd maybe also think of putting a camera above looking down onto the area, that way if anyone does actually hit your property then you have evidence if they burger off

DaveF327

Norma_Desmond wrote: »

Anything I can do except for bawling out said drivers?

Bawling isn't going to help any situation.

Look at it from the drivers' point of view. Have you never taken a wrong turn down a lane and become worried as it gets narrower and narrower... and narrower? You soon reach a point when you realise you have to turn around and it's "now or never". The last thing you'd want to risk is actually entering someone's private farm as that would result in a "bawling".

As previous posters have said, a little help to an already worried driver is all that's needed, such as a helpful prompt to continue to the turning area provided. Beware of placing boulders as a driver could hold you liable if you place an obstruction on the public highway that causes danger.

To answer your question: Yes, a U-turn on any road is legal unless prohibited by a traffic regulation order (and displayed to drivers by signs). A local authority will not make such an order where there is no other means of escaping a dead-end road.

jaydeeuk1

Put some CCTV up outside your house, so if some idiot who cant drive does hit your house, you can sue them if they cause damage and drive off. Unless its a busy main road, I ignore U turn signs, they're a piece of p*ss to do in an IQ.

Gloomendoom

Norma_Desmond wrote: »

I already have a couple of big whitewashed boulders at strategic points on the verge which were here when we bought the house and I don't want to add more as I'm sure they're not absolutely legal in themselves.

You are correct there. As others have said, the verge is (usually) just part of the highway that doesn't happen to have tarmac on. Strictly speaking, if you place obstructions on it you may be held liable for any injury or damage to anyone or anything passing along the verge, even if they are trying to park on it.

Have you spoken to the council highways department? If there is a genuine high risk of a collision, they may be able to suggest a solution.

Notmyrealname

Norma_Desmond wrote: »

Yep, mainly visitors to the area; I may well get a sign put up OR borrow my neighbour's tractor to shift another boulder into place.

Be aware that where you're putting the boulder is the public highway and if someone were to hit it, you would be the one liable..

Billy-no-Money

jaydeeuk1 wrote: »

Put some CCTV up outside your house, so if some idiot who cant drive does hit your house, you can sue them if they cause damage and drive off. Unless its a busy main road, I ignore U turn signs, they're a piece of p*ss to do in an IQ.

What gives you the right to ignore a no U-turn sign just because you're in a small car? They're usually put there because the act of doing a U-turn is a hazard to others - it's not nice riding a motorbike innocently and carefully along a road only to find that the parked car ahead wasn't actually parked and is now in your path.

Obviously done with care a U-turn is safe (it's even part of the motorbike test, though done off-road these days) but too often they're done by drivers in a hurry who don't make proper observations.

Sorry to go a bit off-topic there but I've seen too many bikers killed through no fault of their own - and in towns the same thing happens to cyclists.

If you're going to do a U-turn anywhere use extreme care. And if there's a sign prohibiting it then don't flaming well do one at all!!!

pacific4130

Billy-no-Money wrote: »

What gives you the right to ignore a no U-turn sign just because you're in a small car? They're usually put there because the act of doing a U-turn is a hazard to others - it's not nice riding a motorbike innocently and carefully along a road only to find that the parked car ahead wasn't actually parked and is now in your path.

Obviously done with care a U-turn is safe (it's even part of the motorbike test, though done off-road these days) but too often they're done by drivers in a hurry who don't make proper observations.

Sorry to go a bit off-topic there but I've seen too many bikers killed through no fault of their own - and in towns the same thing happens to cyclists.

If you're going to do a U-turn anywhere use extreme care. And if there's a sign prohibiting it then don't flaming well do one at all!!!

Just wanted to add, as a biker, that this was my first though too. I have to deal with this sort of inconsiderate and selfish road user every day.

Commonly identified by their unique call of the SMIDSY (sorry mate I didn't see you)!

No U-turn signs exist for a reason. Usually the exist because there are hidden dangers which you won't be aware of sat in your car.

As above - U-turns are one of the most potentially dangerous manoeuvres in a car and one of the most lazily performed by car drivers.