Question: I’ve been seeing some really creative turns by drivers in Emporia. What are the laws on making turns?
Answer: “You need to get over to the right curb on the right turn,” said Emporia Police Officer Larry Clay, who specializes in traffic law.
He cited Kansas Statutes Annotated 8-1545 as his source: “Both the approach for a right turn and a right turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.”
Turn from the right-hand lane into the right-hand lane.
Left turns need to be made nearest the center line, or left-turn lane, if available, Clay said, citing the same KSA law.
The driver must approach in the extreme left-hand lane or turn lane and “turn into the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the same direction as such vehicle on the roadway being entered.”
“Left-turn lanes, such as ones on West Sixth Avenue, are not intended to be used as merge lanes,” Clay said. Drivers who pull into the left-turn lanes to merge into traffic may receive traffic citations.
Where a special lane exists for left turns by drivers proceeding in opposite directions and controlled by official traffic devices, U-turns can be made only if there are no “No U-Turn” signs posted.
F Information for this column is provided by the Emporia Police Department.
MelissaE (anonymous) says...
Okay, seriously. Is this THE BEST question that was submitted to the Gazette this week?
I'm kind of annoyed I even opened the story. I know there are more important issues going on in Emporia. Why bother with this?
M
June 20, 2007 at 4:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
imgone (anonymous) says...
I would have thought Officer Clay would have mentioned a right turn on a red light is legal only if you come to a complete stop before making the turn.
June 20, 2007 at 7:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ks_farmboy (anonymous) says...
thats common sense imgone. why not complain about him not mentioning you have to use your turn signal when turning? good comment...
June 29, 2007 at 2:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )