U-turns - don't do them! Should be a law...

[rocketman1]

I am seriously getting pissed off with the number of cagers that do U turns,
My wife, and a colleague at work have both done U turns in the last year and and been hit side on.
And I was almost hit a copr about to do U turn at TeKauwhata, phew close!!
U turns are bloody dangerous manouvres to perform. I personally wait till I get to a driveway pull to the side off the road reverse into it and move off in the opposite direction... a much safer manouvre.
If you see a car parked on the side off the highway, BEWARE that cager is likely to do a turn straight in front of you.
I have told to watch the right front wheel, if it moves or turns you may have second more to brake before final impact. Because there is nowhere to go but into the vehicle.
In my opinion the transport authorities sholud take a hard line on those idiots that do U turns..anywhere.
Advice Dont do them yourself when driving in cage.
Bloody dangerous Act. Police cars are the most common cuplrits

[BMWST?]

true....remeber down south the two m'cyclists hit a u turning policecar..personally i turn into a quiet side street and turn there

[PrincessBandit]

Amazing isn't it that by law you're not allowed to open your door if it could be a hazard to others, and the first thing you're always told before executing a U turn is to LOOK. Can't figure out why so many people find it so hard.
Oh yeah, they say they look but then only see what they want to see (which is empty space, no sir, no motorcycle coming at me.....)

[NighthawkNZ]

true....remeber down south the two m'cyclists hit a u turning policecar..personally i turn into a quiet side street and turn there

I don't turn... i just keep going forward... ;)

[firefighter]

Bloody dangerous Act. Police cars are the most common cuplrits

hmmmm, maybe, but think of the no. of U-turns they do compared to the average rd user.........

[martybabe]

Madness I reckon, not so bad if they pull to the left, signal and look before executing the turn but there is an even worse one I've encountered several times recently. A moving u turn,no signal, just a sharp yank on the steering wheel, no warning, the oncoming lane is clear and they see a parking space opposite so they just Wang the bastard round, god help anyone overtaking.

[Usarka]

Police cars are the most common cuplrits


hmmmm, maybe, but think of the no. of U-turns they do compared to the average rd user.........

And most of those are in court! :whistle:

[ckai]

We were in a pretty major car crash about 20 years ago. Whole family was in a bloody nice bright orange falcon just south of Temple View in the Waikato. Dad drove around a corner and noticed a dude filling his car with a gas can on the opposite side. He started slowing and when he was just about 50-100 m away the guy decided to do a U-turn. Troulble was he didn't look and he didn't have enough room to complete the turn in one sweep.

Needless to say we hit him...us kids (old car, no seatbelts) slid to the floor and pushed the front seat forward. Seconds before Mum had taken off her seat belt (medical reasons) and ended up putting her head through the window. The funny thing is they reckoned it saved her life because she would have hit the hard dash instead. She still has glass coming out of her forehead to this day.

If the other guy had a passenger...well, the passenger door was touching his left elbow! His car was shunted 300 m up the road and we only hit him at about 90 km/hr.

So that's my stance on U-turns :)

It's funny how it's law to actually preform them during your licence though :confused:

[Trumpess]

My pet hate is dimwit parents preforming u-turns right outside school gates, kids everywhere, and after they have jaywalked their kids across the road, with a patroled crossing a few meters away from them!
The u-turn usually turns into a 3 point turn cause there is no room for a full u-turn manouver with cars parked everywhere, even over peoples driveways.
If you want a giggle, sit outside a school at home time!
Fark some people have no brains!

[Jantar]

I disagree with the notion of banning u-turns completely, but I would fully support enforcing that they be done properly and safely.

It may be OK in the cities to have alterantives to U-turns, but there are many rural areas where they can be essential.

[Daffyd]

There is one alternative...go round the block. This is a great idea if you overshoot somewhere like Jacksons. It would mean heading for the Coast, coming back over Haast and back up the middle. Good alternative if you've got plenty time! But I think I'd just make a carefully executed U-turn.

[Owl]

His car was shunted 300 m up the road and we only hit him at about 90 km/hr.

I'm no physics major, but are you sure you don't want to re-evaluate your figures?:msn-wink:

[FJRider]

My pet hate is dimwit parents preforming u-turns right outside school gates, kids everywhere, and after they have jaywalked their kids across the road, with a patroled crossing a few meters away from them!
The u-turn usually turns into a 3 point turn cause there is no room for a full u-turn manouver with cars parked everywhere, even over peoples driveways.
If you want a giggle, sit outside a school at home time!
Fark some people have no brains!

Actions of parents outside schools is a whole different ballgame... worth a new thread, on just that subject... ask any :Police::Police::Police:

[FJRider]

I am seriously getting pissed off with the number of cagers that do U turns,
My wife, and a colleague at work have both done U turns in the last year and and been hit side on.
And I was almost hit a copr about to do U turn at TeKauwhata, phew close!!
U turns are bloody dangerous manouvres to perform. I personally wait till I get to a driveway pull to the side off the road reverse into it and move off in the opposite direction... a much safer manouvre.
If you see a car parked on the side off the highway, BEWARE that cager is likely to do a turn straight in front of you.
I have told to watch the right front wheel, if it moves or turns you may have second more to brake before final impact. Because there is nowhere to go but into the vehicle.
In my opinion the transport authorities sholud take a hard line on those idiots that do U turns..anywhere.
Advice Dont do them yourself when driving in cage.
Bloody dangerous Act. Police cars are the most common cuplrits


Why stop at banning U-turns... Ban drinking and driving, speeding, make stopping at stop signs COMPULSARY...:beer:

[AllanB]

When in my car I like to join a couple of U-turns together, this is preformed quicker if you break traction............

[FJRider]

There is one alternative...go round the block. This is a great idea if you overshoot somewhere like Jacksons. It would mean heading for the Coast, coming back over Haast and back up the middle. Good alternative

and the downside is ??? :2thumbsup

[sinfull]

I have told to watch the right front wheel, if it moves or turns you may have second more to brake before final impact.
I too watch for movement of the front wheel, as well as the drivers eyes!

Because there is nowhere to go but into the vehicle.

That's called fixation !!! If the vehical moves an inch you should stop watching it and start looking toward the escape route you had already sussed out ! (I say this tongue in cheek as i haven't had to use this theory for donkeys) I had me a classic case of fixation on the track just last week, slower bike up in front, knew about half way down the straight he was going much slower, but i couldn't tear my eyes away and near went up his rear, twitched left at the last min (which in itself is dangerous as there were much faster guys coming behind me) Different scenario altogether i realise but fixation is fixation and if someones u turning in front of you, it generally means the road to your right is clear ! Sometimes extra power on a bike is invaluable
In my opinion the transport authorities sholud take a hard line on those idiots that do U turns..anywhere.
Advice Dont do them yourself when driving in cage.
Bloody dangerous Act.
Police cars are the most common cuplrits
They should ban radars ! that'll stop half the u turns by cops bwahahahaha

Your right there are alot of collisions thatcome from u turns but banning them would be difficult !

[FJRider]

Your right there are alot of collisions thatcome from u turns but banning them would be difficult !

understatement of the year...

[swbarnett]

Your right there are alot of collisions thatcome from u turns but banning them would be difficult !


understatement of the year...
Not only would it be difficult it would be fool hardy. Why make even more laws when the current ones are perfectly adequate? A U-turn done properly is perfectly safe. Don't ban them, educate the drivers on how to U-turn properly.

Also, take responsibility for your own safety! Check your escape routes ahead of time and don't out drive your visibility around blind corners (or if you do then accept some portion of the moral, if not legal, blame when the worst happens).

[breakaway]

A U-turn done properly is perfectly safe.

Agreed. U-Turns are no problems if you aren't fucking useless at driving.

[xwhatsit]

U-turns are illegal in quite a few other countries, aren't they? At least some parts of the US you can't do U-turns. I wonder how they cope with not being able to do them?

[breakaway]

^ 3 point turns? :D

[Daffyd]

and the downside is ??? :2thumbsup

Did I say anything about a downside? :laugh:

[Daffyd]

When in my car I like to join a couple of U-turns together, this is preformed quicker if you break traction............

This is generally used by a woman driver who does a "U" turn and changes her mind. Also known as an "O" turn.

Sometimes performed while applying/adjusting makeup.

[swbarnett]

U-turns are illegal in quite a few other countries, aren't they? At least some parts of the US you can't do U-turns. I wonder how they cope with not being able to do them?
Probably, as breakaway said, with 3-point turns. These are even more dangersous than U-turns because the car will be blocking the road for longer. Also, a driver that can't properly execute a U-turn won't be able to do a 3-point turn.

[SARGE]

Why stop at banning U-turns... Ban drinking and driving, speeding, make stopping at stop signs COMPULSARY...:beer:

that would COMPLETELY fuck NZ traffic



U-turns are illegal in quite a few other countries, aren't they? At least some parts of the US you can't do U-turns. I wonder how they cope with not being able to do them?


we drive thru yards....

[FJRider]

Not only would it be difficult it would be fool hardy. Why make even more laws when the current ones are perfectly adequate? A U-turn done properly is perfectly safe. Don't ban them, educate the drivers on how to U-turn properly.

Also, take responsibility for your own safety! Check your escape routes ahead of time and don't out drive your visibility around blind corners (or if you do then accept some portion of the moral, if not legal, blame when the worst happens).

The current laws would be adequate, if those laws were adhered to.

:done::done::done:

[FJRider]

we drive thru yards....

In the States... everything is "drive through"...

[SARGE]

In the States... everything is "drive through"...

even the funerals..

[FJRider]

even the funerals..

no U turns there...:innocent:

[sinfull]

no U turns there...:innocent:
Bwahahaha can only bling ya so often !

[ckai]

I'm no physics major, but are you sure you don't want to re-evaluate your figures?:msn-wink:

haha well the 90km/h I was told and the 300 m is what it seemed to a 10 year old boy :) I should have been more accurate in saying "he got shunted fucking ages" :D


Quote:
<table border="0" cellpadding="4" cellspacing="0" width="100%"> <tbody><tr> <td style="border: 1px inset ;" class="alt2"> Originally Posted by FJRider http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/images/buttons/viewpost.gif (http://www.kiwibiker.co.nz/forums/showthread.php?p=1859010#post1859010)
Why stop at banning U-turns... Ban drinking and driving, speeding, make stopping at stop signs COMPULSARY...:beer:
</td> </tr> </tbody></table>
that would COMPLETELY fuck NZ traffic

It would never work...what would the idiots get to do?

[swbarnett]

The current laws would be adequate, if those laws were adhered to.

:done::done::done:
Exactly. And any new laws won't be adhered to either. All that happens is that some politician gets to look like they're doing something while the problem gets swept under the carpet.

[rocketman1]

U turns are all done safely, anyway that is the answer that 100% of people that do them would say.
And every other driver on the road is an idiot.
To you U turners !!The time will come when you do a U-turn and you will come unstuck.
It will go something like..."Hell sorry mate, just didnt see you".
Thats if you or the poor biker is still alive
What I say is DON'T do them. Tell your wifes and girlfriends,, the words is out!!!

And I will give the finger (or worse) to any prick that does one near me, when I'm on my bike.

I was nearly taken out about 25 years ago on my mates 250 trail bike, by an old lady (with blue rinsed hair) in Morris Minor who did a U turn straight in front of me.
I went side ways for about 30m but managed to just miss her rear bumper.
I dont think she even saw me. I near shit myself.

Hey enjoy your rides over the Xmas Break but watch out for the U-turning Bastards

[sunhuntin]

i do u turns quite often. but, i pull in so my tail end is nearer the kerb than the front. head check all directions, listen, head check again, indicate, one last check and gone. sometimes it isnt possible to "go around the block." one of my mates lost a sidecover off his bike in a 100k zone. going around the block would have meant going allllll the way back into town, by which time said side cover would have been dust.

driver education is the answer here, not more laws. just enforce what we already have, and make the penalty harsher. i dont and cant drive a car, but i execute perfectly safe u turns on the bike.

[swbarnett]

U turns are all done safely, anyway that is the answer that 100% of people that do them would say.
And every other driver on the road is an idiot.
To you U turners !!The time will come when you do a U-turn and you will come unstuck.
It will go something like..."Hell sorry mate, just didnt see you".

Why are U-turns any different? The same applies to any manoeuvre. It seems like the only solution in your mind is to ban anything with more than two wheels from the road. As I've said already, take some responsibility for your own safety. Recognise the fact that every other driver is a dick (including some bikers) and ride accordingly.

This is not to say that I don't want to throw the book (or something heavier) at the dicks that endanger us unnecessarily. I just don't want to be dead right.

[HDrew]

our boys in blue just need to start punishing drivers who do u turns across solid center lines :spanking: those ones are the bastards who you really dont expect

[vifferman]

At least some parts of the US you can't do U-turns. I wonder how they cope with not being able to do them?
There are intersections (every second one???) where you can perform a u-turn. I can't remember Eggs Zachary what the procedure is, but it's summat like you sit in the turning bay with your injimicator on, then when the light goes red you can crack a u-turn.
Otherwise, you just have to do a series of turns.

[naphazoline]

I am seriously getting pissed off with the number of cagers that do U turns,
My wife, and a colleague at work have both done U turns in the last year and and been hit side on.
And I was almost hit a copr about to do U turn at TeKauwhata, phew close!!
U turns are bloody dangerous manouvres to perform. I personally wait till I get to a driveway pull to the side off the road reverse into it and move off in the opposite direction... a much safer manouvre.
If you see a car parked on the side off the highway, BEWARE that cager is likely to do a turn straight in front of you.
I have told to watch the right front wheel, if it moves or turns you may have second more to brake before final impact. Because there is nowhere to go but into the vehicle.
In my opinion the transport authorities sholud take a hard line on those idiots that do U turns..anywhere.
Advice Dont do them yourself when driving in cage.
Bloody dangerous Act. Police cars are the most common cuplrits


recently,there were 3 car u-turn/motorcycle accidents in one weekend.

you'd think that would grab the authorities attention.

[Jiminy]

U-turns are not a problem, you just have to tell drivers (and riders) that the two pairs of blinking orange lights are not for decoration only...


It seems like the only solution in your mind is to ban anything with more than two wheels from the road.

That's a good idea, but make it 3 wheels, please :)

[Badjelly]

our boys in blue just need to start punishing drivers who do u turns across solid center lines :spanking: those ones are the bastards who you really dont expect

Though there's no actual law against doing U turns across a solid centre line. In fact (and I'm sure someone will correct me if I'm wrong, or even if I'm not) there's no actual law against doing a U turn across a yellow (no-passing) centre line.

[MarkH]

I don't mind U-turns, but a lot of lives could be saved if people driving over a ton of metal & glass would OPEN THEIR FUCKING EYES!!!!!!

A week or so back I turned right at a set of lights in the middle of Auckland's CBD, rode a short way then braked hard to avoid some twat in a taxi that was performing a U-turn. His eyes were looking straight ahead of him, but the traffic was coming from the side, since he was 90 degrees from the direction of the road. I stopped and gently tapped on his window (may not have been all that gentle and with hard knuckles on my gloves) I told him he could have killed me (not really, I was going slow and looking ahead plenty - but he will cause an accident if he keeps up the shitty driving). He said: "sorry mate, I didn't see you". Well no shit, he wouldn't have seen a Mack truck either - to see other vehicles you need to actually look in the direction that they are coming from!

To do a U-turn without risking killing other motorists:
Pull over to the left and stop, turn your head and LOOK taking care to scan the entire road in both directions and ensure that the road is empty of all vehicles including motorcycles & bicycles. Then when all is clear proceed to make a U-turn. Anyone not taking the time to ensure the road is clear should be charged with being a fuckin' idiot!