Driving experience helps reduce accidents. The more time you spend on the road, the more likely you are to anticipate hazards and develop defensive driving techniques that can go a long way towards reducing accidents.
Of course, with that experience, complacency can sometimes set in. The further you are from your initial driver’s exam, the more likely you might forget certain fundamental traffic laws.
That includes the West Virginia U-turn laws. Failure to follow these laws can lead to serious car accidents that can mean vehicle destruction and serious injury.
Illegal U-Turns in West Virginia: Where Turning Around Is Prohibited
Every driver occasionally makes a wrong turn or goes past their destination. A U-turn can get you back on track and headed in the right direction. However, not every U-turn is legal. Just because you need to “go back” doesn’t mean you can make your own rules.
When making a U-turn, you first need to look for the signs. As it is stated in West Virginia law:
“No vehicle shall be turned so as to proceed in the opposite direction within an intersection, or upon any street in a business district, or upon a freeway, expressway or controlled-access highway, or where authorized signs are erected to prohibit such movement, or at any other location unless such movement can be made with reasonable safety to other users of the street and without interfering with the safe operation of any traffic that may be affected by such movement.”
Suppose there isn’t a posted sign? In some residential areas, West Virginia allows drivers to legally make a U-turn even across a double yellow line. The only exception is when oncoming traffic is present, and the U-turn can be completed safely. If a driver fails with either of those conditions, they could be held liable for an accident.
On highways, U-turns are typically allowed only at designated openings clearly marked by signage.
If there is no official opening or a sign is present, making a U-turn is prohibited. In other words, you can’t drive across the median.
Drivers are also barred from making U-turns at the following high-risk locations:
- Fire stations
- One-way streets
- In the vicinity of railroad tracks
A driver who ignores these basic U-turn rules faces traffic citations and the increased risk of colliding with another car.
West Virginia Right of Way Laws: Who Must Yield and When
The U-turn laws are part of the entire scope of right-of-way rules. These regulations are designed to keep traffic moving safely through intersections and turns. If you drive up to an intersection, you must yield to vehicles that are already making their way through the intersection.
That holds true whether there are traffic signals or stop signs.
When making a turn, you are also required to yield to oncoming traffic or pedestrians who are lawfully crossing. Failure to properly yield is among the top causes of intersection accidents.
Speeding Laws in West Virginia: Understanding Basic vs. Absolute Limits
West Virginia enforces two types of speed limits: basic and absolute. The basic speed limit requires drivers to operate their vehicles at a safe speed based on current conditions.
That means you have to take into account the weather, traffic, and road design. For instance, just because a sign has a posted speed limit doesn’t mean you should drive that fast when there is ice on the road or traffic up ahead.
The absolute speed limit sets the maximum speed a driver may travel under ideal conditions. These limits vary by location, but the general rules are as follows:
- School Zones: 15 mph (when children are present)
- Business/Residential Districts: 25 mph
- Open Country Highways: 55 mph (can be adjusted by local authorities)
Exceeding the absolute speed limit can result in fines, points on your driving record, and higher insurance premiums.
Get the Right Legal Counsel When Accidents Happen
Although you might follow all the rules of the road, there is no guarantee that the vehicles you’re sharing those roads with will be in compliance.
When another driver makes an illegal U-turn or doesn’t yield at an intersection, it can end in a devastating accident. If you’re the victim of a collision caused by someone else’s negligence, you deserve a strong legal advocate to provide you with the information and guidance you need to decide what your next course of action should be.
The attorneys at DiPiero Simmons McGinley & Bastress, PLLC have helped many clients who have been involved in unfortunate collisions with reckless drivers. You can schedule a free case consultation to share what happened, and we can offer support on the best path to pursue a remedy. If another driver breaks the law, you shouldn’t have to pay.
Call to set up your consultation today.
