Henderson and Nevada drivers in general are often unsure if it is legal to make a  U-turn or not.  I will attempt to clarify this issue in our community.  According to the Nevada driver’s handbook:

“U-turns are generally allowed if they can be completed safely. In business areas, you must be at an intersection or on a divided highway where an appropriate opening exists. U-turns are not allowed where prohibited by a traffic sign or signal, or if there is less than 500 feet visibility in both directions.” (NRS 484B.403)  Specifically, NRS 483B.403 states as follows:

TITLE 43 PUBLIC SAFETY; VEHICLES; WATERCRAFT
Chapter 484B Rules of the Road

NRS 484B.403 When U-turns are authorized and prohibited; additional penalty for violation committed in work zone.

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1. A U-turn may be made on any road where the turn can be made with safety, except as prohibited by this section and by the provisions of NRS 484B.227 and 484B.407.
2. If an official traffic-control device indicates that a U-turn is prohibited, the driver shall obey the directions of the device.
3. The driver of a vehicle shall not make a U-turn in a business district, except at an intersection or on a divided highway where an appropriate opening or crossing place exists.
4. Notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this section, local authorities and the Department of Transportation may prohibit U-turns at any location within their respective jurisdictions.
5. A person who violates any provision of this section may be subject to the additional penalty set forth in NRS 484B.130.

In addition, NRS 484B.227 governs U-turns on the highway and states as follows:

NRS 484B.227 Driving on divided highway: Prohibited turns; additional penalty for violation committed in work zone.

1. Every vehicle driven upon a divided highway must be driven only upon the right-hand roadway and must not be driven over, across or within any dividing space, barrier or section or make any left turn, semicircular turn or U-turn, except through an opening in the barrier or dividing section or space or at a crossover or intersection established by a public authority.
2. A person who violates any provision of this section may be subject to the additional penalty set forth in NRS 484B.130.

Also, NRS 484B.407 governs vehicles turning on curve or crest of grade prohibits U-turns in these circumstances. It states that a  “vehicle shall not be turned so as to proceed in the opposite direction upon any curve, or upon the approach to or near the crest of a grade, where such vehicle cannot be seen by the driver of any other vehicle approaching from either direction within 500 feet.”

Generally, a driver can make a U-Turn if there is no sign prohibiting a U-Turn. Nevada traffic signs can control whether a U-turn is permitted by law or not.   A driver in Henderson, Nevada or Las Vegas, Nevada who makes a U-turn at an intersection where a posted “No U-Turn” sign exists has executed an illegal U-turn, and a traffic ticket could be issued.  According to Nevada Highway Patrolman Jason Buratczuk (as quoted in the local newspaper):

“A U-turn can be done anywhere it is safe to do so,” Buratczuk said. “The only time it says in the law you can’t make a U-turn is when there is a sign posted advising no U-turn. Driving on or across medians and such is illegal as well, but I don’t want to open that can of worms. So at the intersection in question, if there is no sign specifically stating no U-turn, then a U-turn is permissible.”

Something else important to point out is a statutory exception to the U-turn rules.  That is, you cannot make a U-turn in a school zone when children are present.   Specifically, NRS 484B.363 states as follows:

NRS 484B.363  School zone or school crossing zone: Speed limit; designation; signs; U-turn and overtaking another vehicle prohibited; determination of hours in which speed limit is in effect; additional penalty if driver is proximate cause of collision with pedestrian or person riding bicycle.

1.  A person shall not drive a motor vehicle at a speed in excess of 15 miles per hour in an area designated as a school zone except:

(a) On a day on which school is not in session;

(b) During the period from a half hour after school is no longer in operation to a half hour before school is next in operation;

(c) If the zone is designated by an operational speed limit beacon, during the hours when the pupils of the school are in class and the yellow lights of the speed limit beacon are not flashing in the manner which indicates that the speed limit is in effect; or

(d) If the zone is not designated by an operational speed limit beacon, during the times when the sign designating the school zone indicates that the speed limit is not in effect.

2.  A person shall not drive a motor vehicle at a speed in excess of 25 miles per hour in an area designated as a school crossing zone except:

(a) On a day on which school is not in session;

(b) During the period from a half hour after school is no longer in operation to a half hour before school is next in operation;

(c) If the zone is designated by an operational speed limit beacon, during the hours when the pupils of the school are in class and the yellow lights of the speed limit beacon are not flashing in the manner which indicates that the speed limit is in effect; or

(d) If the zone is not designated by an operational speed limit beacon, during the times when the sign designating the school zone indicates that the speed limit is not in effect.

      3.  The driver of a vehicle shall not make a U-turn in an area designated as a school zone or school crossing zone except:

      (a) When there are no children present;

      (b) On a day on which school is not in session;

      (c) During the period from a half hour after school is no longer in operation to a half hour before school is next in operation;

      (d) If the zone is designated by an operational speed limit beacon, during the hours when the pupils of the school are in class and the yellow lights of the speed limit beacon are not flashing in the manner which indicates that the speed limit is in effect; or

      (e) If the zone is not designated by an operational speed limit beacon, during the times when the sign designating the school zone or school crossing zone indicates that the speed limit is not in effect.

4.  The driver of a vehicle shall not overtake and pass another vehicle traveling in the same direction in an area designated as a school zone or school crossing zone except:

(a) On a day on which the school is not in session;

(b) During the period from a half hour after school is no longer in operation to a half hour before school is next in operation;

(c) If the zone is designated by an operational speed limit beacon, during the hours when the pupils of the school are in class and the yellow lights of the speed limit beacon are not flashing in the manner which indicates that the speed limit is in effect; or

(d) If the zone is not designated by an operational speed limit beacon, during the times when the sign designating the school zone or school crossing zone indicates that the speed limit is not in effect.

5.  The governing body of a local government or the Department of Transportation shall designate school zones and school crossing zones. An area must not be designated as a school zone if imposing a speed limit of 15 miles per hour would be unsafe because of higher speed limits in adjoining areas.

6.  Each such governing body and the Department of Transportation shall provide signs to mark the beginning and end of each school zone and school crossing zone which it respectively designates. Each sign marking the beginning of such a zone must include a designation of the hours when the speed limit is in effect or that the speed limit is in effect when children are present.

7.  With respect to each school zone and school crossing zone in a school district, the superintendent of the school district or his or her designee, in conjunction with the Department of Transportation and the governing body of the local government that designated the school zone or school crossing zone and after consulting with the principal of the school and the agency that is responsible for enforcing the speed limit in the zone, shall determine the times when the speed limit is in effect.

8.  If, while violating any provision of subsections 1 to 4, inclusive, the driver of a motor vehicle is the proximate cause of a collision with a pedestrian or a person riding a bicycle, the driver is subject to the additional penalty set forth in subsection 4 of NRS 484B.653.

9.  As used in this section, “speed limit beacon” means a device which is used in conjunction with a sign and equipped with two or more yellow lights that flash alternately to indicate when the speed limit in a school zone or school crossing zone is in effect.

(Added to NRS by 1985, 640; A 1993, 2586; 1999,

In summary, Henderson drivers and Nevada drivers in general can make a U-Turn anywhere it is safe and there is no sign prohibiting a U-Turn.  Remember the exceptions that there are no U-Turns in a school zone when children are present and no U-Turns on the Highway.

If you are involved in an accident as a result of someone executing an illegal U-Turn, contact our offices today.  By contacting a lawyer immediately, you can receive the most money for your damages. At my office, we are experienced to handle all types of automobile injury claims.  Having worked for the insurance company as an attorney for 9 years before opening my boutique law firm specializing in helping injured people, I reviewed thousands of auto accident claims.   With extensive experience in the insurance field, I can help you review all of the  coverages available  to maximize the money you receive.

At the Law Offices of Laura Hunt we are here to help you and your family in the event that accidents and tragedies occur. For any of your legal needs, do not hesitate to contact our offices.  The Law Offices of Laura Hunt is a boutique, family owned law firm in Henderson that specializes in helping injured people and the community with legal issues involving auto accidents, wrongful deaths, slip and falls, truck accidents, injuries to children, bicycle accidents, dog bites, and all types of injury claims.  Please do not hesitate to call us anytime you have a legal question or you or a loved one has sustained an injury at 702-450-(HUNT) 4868.

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