Re: VC 21651(A)(1) Citation
Quote:
Quoting CVC 21651.
(a)
Whenever a highway has been divided into two or more roadways by means of intermittent barriers or
by means of a dividing section of not less than two feet in width, either unpaved or
delineated by curbs,
double-parallel lines, or other markings on the roadway,
it is unlawful to do either of the following:
(1) To drive any vehicle over, upon, or across the dividing section.
(2) To make any left, semicircular, or U-turn with the vehicle on the divided highway, except through an opening in the barrier designated and intended by public authorities for the use of vehicles or through a plainly marked opening in the dividing section.
(b) It is unlawful to drive any vehicle upon a highway, except to the right of an intermittent barrier or a dividing section which separates two or more opposing lanes of traffic. Except as otherwise provided in subdivision (c), a violation of this subdivision is a misdemeanor.
(c) Any willful violation of subdivision (b) which results in injury to, or death of, a person shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison, or imprisonment in a county jail for a period of not more than six months.
That appears to describe the road where you were cited. So, how is it that you believe that's inapplicable?
Re: VC 21651(A)(1) Citation
The u-turn was made 1/4 of the way South from Constitution Blvd (Point marked by the little icon on the Map) heading toward Wilshire Blvd Link. (The point on the map hopefully illustrates where that turn was made and it illustrates a closer look of the highway center lane (top image)) The lane in the center of the road is a two way left turn lane and not a double parallel line. According to the following California Laws:
Two-Way Left-Turn Lanes
21460.5. (a) The Department of Transportation and local authorities in their respective jurisdictions may designate a two-way left-turn lane on a highway. A two-way left-turn lane is a lane near the center of the highway set aside for use by vehicles making left turns in both directions from or into the highway.
(b) Two-way left-turn lanes shall be designated by distinctive roadway markings consisting of parallel double yellow lines, interior line dashed and exterior line solid, on each side of the lane. The Department of Transportation may determine and prescribe standards and specifications governing length, width, and positioning of the distinctive pavement markings. All pavement markings designating a two-way left-turn lane shall conform to the Department of Transportation's standards and specifications.
(c) A vehicle shall not be driven in a designated two-way left-turn lane except when preparing for or making a left turn from or into a highway or when preparing for or making a U-turn when otherwise permitted by law, and shall not be driven in that lane for more than 200 feet while preparing for and making the turn or while preparing to merge into the adjacent lanes of travel. A left turn or U-turn shall not be made from any other lane where a two-way left-turn lane has been designated.
(d) This section shall not prohibit driving across a two-way left-turn lane.
(e) Raised pavement markers may be used to simulate painted lines described in this section when such markers are placed in accordance with standards established by the Department of Transportation.
Amended Ch. 232, Stats. 1990. Effective January 1, 1991.
and
Double Lines
21460. (a) When double parallel solid lines are in place, no person driving a vehicle shall drive to the left thereof, except as permitted in this section.
(b) When the double parallel lines, one of which is broken, are in place, no person driving a vehicle shall drive to the left thereof, except as follows:
(1) That the driver on that side of the roadway in which the broken line is in place may cross over the double line or drive to the left thereof when overtaking or passing other vehicles.
(2) As provided in Section 21460.5.
(c) Either of the markings as specified in subdivision (a) or (b) does not prohibit a driver from crossing the marking when (1) turning to the left at any intersection or into or out of a driveway or private road, or (2) making a U-turn under the rules governing that turn, and either of the markings shall be disregarded when authorized signs have been erected designating offcenter traffic lanes as permitted under Section 21657.
(d) Raised pavement markers may be used to simulate painted lines described in this section when the markers are placed in accordance with standards established by the Department of Transportation.
Amended Ch. 462, Stats. 1984. Effective January 1, 1985.
Unless I'm wrong doesn't those rules govern a legal U-turn if done safely and there were no signs posted claiming no u-turn. When I asked the CHP officer that it was a two way left turn lane he claimed because that highway is part of a business district. He didn't give me a ticket for an illegal u-turn in a business district. He gave me a ticket for crossing a barrier and that barrier was a two-way left turn lane. I don't know if that street can be classified as being a business district since no building are present facing that stretch of highway. Does someone on this forum know? And if it was a business district wouldn't a two way left turn lane be a proper opening in the highway allowing for a U-turn if it could be done safely?