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How to Beat a U-Turn Traffic Ticket

A complete step-by-step process
to beat a U Turn traffic ticket!

Most vehicle statutes are very specific. This definitely works to your advantage. The fact they are specific as to what constitutes a violation, makes it often times possible to find an element of the law you have not broken.

Let's take the vehicle code for U-turn traffic tickets as an example.

Just about every state has the same vehicle or traffic code regarding U-turns. Although worded differently, they all basically say the same thing.

A typical U-turn vehicle code is as follows:

No person in a residential district shall make a U-turn when any other vehicle is approaching from either direction within 200 feet, except at an intersection when the approaching vehicle is controlled by an official traffic control device.

You'll want to rip this code apart, piece-by-piece. Use slashes to separate the different elements of the code.

No person in a residential district / shall make a U-turn / when any other vehicle is approaching from either direction / within 200 feet, / except at an intersection / when the approaching vehicle / is controlled by an official traffic control device.

Once you have placed slashes in between the different elements of the code, it is time to completely dissect the code.

Now, just look at it and really study it for about a minute. What does it say?

No person in a residential district...

Were you in a residential district? Be careful with this one. Just because there were houses in the area does not necessarily mean it was a residential district. I've seen plenty of homes in an area zoned commercial. Check with your city's engineering department usually located at your local City Hall.

Shall make a U-turn...

Did you really make a U-turn? For instance, pulling into a parking lot or drive way and then going in the opposite direction is not a U-turn.

When any other vehicle is approaching from either direction...

Were there any other vehicles approaching?

Within 200 feet...

Were they within 200 feet (12 car lengths) of your vehicle?

Except at an intersection...

Were you at an intersection when the violation occurred?

I think you get the idea. Continue on with the remaining elements and try to find some more you have not violated. The more the better. This is how to beat a u turn traffic ticket.

Also, take a quick look at your ticket and see what the officer has written down. For instance, if he wrote the traffic as being light that day, you may convince the judge there were no vehicles approaching, or at least not within 200 feet of your car.

If you can, your ticket should be dismissed.

This technique of word-by-word reading of vehicle codes not only applies to U-turns, but most any other type of violation including running red lights, not coming to a complete stop at a stop sign, failure to yield and illegal left or right turns. Just about everything except speeding.

This is the same method lawyers use when defending a client. It's extremely effective, straight forward, simple and it works!

Many cops are not familiar with the exact wording of traffic laws. They may know it is illegal to do something, but may not know some of the exemptions involved with the law.

More traffic ticket defenses below...