U-turns are legal in almost all states. Here in Lima, Elida Road has six different U-turn locations with signs posted permitting them. With a red arrow stopping traffic, some drivers are treating the stoplight more like a yield sign, and choosing to perform a U-turn on red.
While no accidents have been reported, near accidents can be seen on a daily basis. Sara Cardone wrote a letter to the Editor following a close call she had while doing a little shopping on Elida Road.
When Elida Road was redesigned, medians were put in place of turn lanes, and U-turns were added. Many drivers have adapted to the change, and are making proper U-turns, but a select few are turning on red lights and crossing over the double yellow line to make a U-turn.
State Highway Patrolman Brant Zemelka commented on the situation, stating law enforcement was lenient at first, but now they're cracking down. In just a short period of time on Elida road, Willie Thompson made a U-Turn on red, while trying to make his way into Burger King. After catching up with Thompson and confronting him about his illegal driving maneuver, he firmly stated, he's doing nothing wrong.
Fines for turning on red or going left of center to turn early will cost drivers $110. On a second offense, tickets average around $135.
The proper way to make a U-turn:
-Stop behind the white bar on the road
-On a green light, ease carefully into the intersection
-Complete your U-turn one car at a time.
