Ticket for an Illegal U-Turn in Oregon

[deputystankus]

My question involves a traffic ticket from the state of: Oregon

Here I am, just landed for a vacation with family, and I already have a ticket!

I stopped for some food. As I was exiting the parking lot to get back on the road, I saw a sign saying right turn only--lame, since the highway was to the left. I turned right. Shortly, I got into the middle turn lane, came to a complete stop, waited until there was no traffic in the other lane, and turned around.

Next thing I know I'm getting pulled over. The police officer says I can't do a U turn within 500 feet of an intersection. I explain that I just got to the state less than an hour before and have never heard of such a law in any place I've lived before. I ask for mercy, but he just gives me the ticket and walks away.

Now, when I get to my destination, I decide to investigate the law. I've read it over and over, and I don't see anything about being 500 feet from an intersection. What am I missing, experts?

Law: 811.365

http://www.oregon.gov/ODOT/DMV/docs/vcb/VCB811.pdf?ga=t

Also, is it technically a u-turn if I stopped in the middle turn lane first? Thanks in advance, everyone!

[lurkertom]

811.365 Illegal U-turn; penalty. (1) A
person commits the offense of making an illegal
U-turn if the person is operating a vehicle
and the person turns the vehicle so as
to proceed in the opposite direction in any
of the following places:
(a) Within an intersection where traffic
is controlled by an electrical signal. This
paragraph does not apply where posted otherwise.
(b) Upon a highway within the limits of
an incorporated city between intersections.
(c) At any place upon a highway where
the vehicle cannot be seen by another driver
approaching from either direction within a
distance of:
(A) 500 feet within the incorporated limits
of a city; or
(B) 1,000 feet outside a city.
(2) The offense described in this section,
illegal U-turn, is a Class C traffic violation
unless commission of the offense contributes
to an accident. If commission of the offense
contributes to an accident, the offense is a
Class B traffic violation.

[deputystankus]

Thanks. I guess I should have clarified. I've read that, but I don't see where it says "no U turns within 500 feet of an intersection."

[Mr. Knowitall]

It says "Upon a highway within the limits of an incorporated city between intersections." That would seem to cover distances ranging from an inch to a billion miles from an intersection - anywhere in between.

If U-Turns were otherwise authorized at that location, "At any place upon a highway where the vehicle cannot be seen by another driver approaching from either direction within a distance of... 500 feet within the incorporated limits of a city" would set a 500 foot limit from the approaching motorist where visibility is impaired.

[deputystankus]

It says "Upon a highway within the limits of an incorporated city between intersections." That would seem to cover distances ranging from an inch to a billion miles from an intersection - anywhere in between.

If U-Turns were otherwise authorized at that location, "At any place upon a highway where the vehicle cannot be seen by another driver approaching from either direction within a distance of... 500 feet within the incorporated limits of a city" would set a 500 foot limit from the approaching motorist where visibility is impaired.

I saw the highway part, but I don't think I was on a highway. In legalese, is "highway" just the term used for all roads? Even if it was a highway, how can it say both "no u turns ever" and "no u turns unless people can see you from 500 feet?"

Either way, the officer said "in Oregon, it is illegal to do a u-turn within 500 feet of an intersection." There's definitely nothing in there that says precisely that.

How can I be expected to know the law of a state that I just touched down in when the officer himself doesn't know it? And yes, I know that ignorance is not an excuse. Still...

It says "Upon a highway within the limits of an incorporated city between intersections." That would seem to cover distances ranging from an inch to a billion miles from an intersection - anywhere in between.

If U-Turns were otherwise authorized at that location, "At any place upon a highway where the vehicle cannot be seen by another driver approaching from either direction within a distance of... 500 feet within the incorporated limits of a city" would set a 500 foot limit from the approaching motorist where visibility is impaired.

I just read this again and realized you were saying the intersection was the visibility limit. Is that standard, or was it just the officer's discretion? The light at the intersection ahead was green, and it was just a three way so no one could have turned on to it. In other words, it shouldn't have interfered with visibility at all.

[lurkertom]

Highway - Oregon definition of;

1. (1) "Highway" means every public way, road, street, thoroughfare and place, including bridges, viaducts and other structures within the boundaries of this state, open, used or intended for use of the general public for vehicles or vehicular traffic as a matter of right.

(2) For the purpose of enforcing traffic offenses contained in the Oregon Vehicle Code, except for ORS 810.230 (Unlawful sign display), "highway" includes premises open to the public that are owned by a homeowners association and whose boundaries are contained within a service district established on or before July 1, 2002, under ORS 451.410 (Definitions for ORS 451.410 to 451.610) to 451.610 (Advisory committee for emergency reporting). [1983 c.338 §51; 2007 c.561 §1]


Where exactly did the alleged infraction take place (physical location)? Is there double yellow lines on either side of the "middle turn lane"?

[deputystankus]

Highway - Oregon definition of;

1. (1) "Highway" means every public way, road, street, thoroughfare and place, including bridges, viaducts and other structures within the boundaries of this state, open, used or intended for use of the general public for vehicles or vehicular traffic as a matter of right.

(2) For the purpose of enforcing traffic offenses contained in the Oregon Vehicle Code, except for ORS 810.230 (Unlawful sign display), "highway" includes premises open to the public that are owned by a homeowners association and whose boundaries are contained within a service district established on or before July 1, 2002, under ORS 451.410 (Definitions for ORS 451.410 to 451.610) to 451.610 (Advisory committee for emergency reporting). [1983 c.338 §51; 2007 c.561 §1]


Where exactly did the alleged infraction take place (physical location)? Is there double yellow lines on either side of the "middle turn lane"?

Wow. In that case, essentially every road in OR (including the one I was on) would be a highway. In other words, you essentially can't make a u-turn anywhere inside city limits. Obviously, I should have read the entire traffic code before deciding to vacation there...

The alleged infraction took place in Woodburn on the road that intersects with I-5.

There were not double lines on either side of the turn lane. One solid line (on the outside) and one dashed line (on the inside). Does that make a difference?

Thank you SO much for your help! This is the most helpful site ever!

[lurkertom]

Generally, a solid line in your lane or a double line means the driver is not to cross it. If it is a dashed line it means the cars in that lane may cross. U-turns are only permitted where they are signed as OK or allowed and are most often at marked intersections.

I'm guessing you turned right out of the McD's lot and were headed east on 214. You pulled into the left turn lane and made the u turn before you got to the signal where it narrowed so much you did not have room to reverse course. Woodburn PD tagged you for an illegal U turn. The center lane there is only for left turns into McD's

[That Guy]

There were not double lines on either side of the turn lane. One solid line (on the outside) and one dashed line (on the inside).

That sounds to me like its a "center lane". While you are in fact allowed to cross into it (to make a left turn into a driveway or a parking lot), it does not mean you can make a u-turn.

[lurkertom]

That sounds to me like its a "center lane". While you are in fact allowed to cross into it (to make a left turn into a driveway or a parking lot), it does not mean you can make a u-turn.

Center lane that turns into a left only lane at the intersection about 200 feet or so.