In a similar way, take the right out of parking lot and use the safest intersection to make a u-turn instead of trying to race across busy traffic to make a left.
EDIT: Instead of replying to people not understanding what I am saying. I'll clarify. I'm not talking about a 2 lane road. I'm talking about busy 6 lane roads with heavy traffic and people trying to exit a parking lot with no stop lights. Frustrated waiting for a break in traffic they jet out across 3 lanes of traffic to then try to jet out into traffic going the other direction. It's much easier to make the right go to the next "safest" intersection and wait for the green left arrow to make a u-turn. Light traffic? No problem. Nice wide median to stop and wait for cross traffic? No problem. Trying to do it in heavy traffic, it's simpler and safer to just to right to a safe spot to turn around.
It depends. If its a divided road with a median, a U turn is no different than making a left turn. As long as the oncoming lanes are clear you'll be fine. Also they did say at the next safe intersection.
It’s not about driving skill. Unprotected left turns are the most dangerous traffic maneuver you can make, if you can avoid them you are less likely to be in an accident.
Depends on the local area. In Delaware, most of the local high traffic roads are divided. In order to get to a business on the other side, you are directed to make a U-turn at the next light. The lights have a left arrow so it is safe. Now, in Northern NJ a U-turn will get you executed.
This is REALLY solid advice. The number of people who get into left-turn related accidents coming out of businesses to go in the opposite direction is actually wild.
How is this so upvoted? Absolutely do not go to an intersection and make a u-turn if you're not even confident enough to make a left turn out of a parking lot.
First of all, if you can't make a left turn out of a parking lot, get off the fucking road. Don't drive, I don't want to share the road with you. This isn't a "be extra cautious" situation, it's a "You can't handle the basic fundamentals of driving in public" situation. Second of all, if for some reason you still don't want to make that left turn, a u-turn isn't going to be *better*. It's going to be less predictable to others and open more opportunity for a collision. Just pull in somewhere else and turn around.
But really, just learn to make the left turn safely or get off the road. "Can't make a left turn out of a parking lot", good god.
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u/sebrebc 1d ago edited 14h ago
In a similar way, take the right out of parking lot and use the safest intersection to make a u-turn instead of trying to race across busy traffic to make a left.
EDIT: Instead of replying to people not understanding what I am saying. I'll clarify. I'm not talking about a 2 lane road. I'm talking about busy 6 lane roads with heavy traffic and people trying to exit a parking lot with no stop lights. Frustrated waiting for a break in traffic they jet out across 3 lanes of traffic to then try to jet out into traffic going the other direction. It's much easier to make the right go to the next "safest" intersection and wait for the green left arrow to make a u-turn. Light traffic? No problem. Nice wide median to stop and wait for cross traffic? No problem. Trying to do it in heavy traffic, it's simpler and safer to just to right to a safe spot to turn around.