I was posting in the "Left Lane" thread a minute ago and thought of this. But I didn't want to get in trouble for off topic. So here goes.
A couple of weeks ago, I had what I think was a close call. U turns in Warshington state are permitted under most conditions if doing so is not otherwise prohibited. In other words, if there isn't a sign that says, "No U Turn." it's allowed.
I figure, if there isn't such a sign, and it's safe, I'm okay. There is a Home Depot store on the way to one of my daughter's places. Approaching from the south on a major highway, I can cross an intersection and enter the west entrance to the parking lot. If the highway is jammed up, I can make a right turn, go down the cross street about 300 yards, and make a U turn, go back up the cross street the other direction and turn into the parking lot on the south side.
On this day, there were very many vehicles in the right lane approaching the cross street, so I opted for the right turn, then U turn maneuver. I rounded the corner, came close to where I was to make the U turn, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw a deputy pull out of a parking lot on the opposite side of the street coming along behind me. But in the meantime, a white SUV coming east on the cross street decided to do the same U turn maneuver in the same place I had done. Then I saw the red and blue lights of the deputy's vehicle come on. I kept going, and made my turn into the Home Depot parking lot. But the deputy didn't follow me; evidently he pulled over the white SUV instead. I think it was just a matter of chance that the white vehicle got it instead of me.
Yet, I kept wondering, if U turns are allowed if not specifically prohibited, what had I done wrong? The only thing I can think of is that I didn't use my left turn signal when I executed the U turn. And maybe the white vehicle failed to do so as well. I've seen LEO's pull over more than one vehicle at a time, but in this case the U turn situation didn't lend itself to that.
I did not stop and go into Home Depot. I kept on going through the parking lot and on over to my daughter's place. Was that eluding?? I had in mind the deputy might just cruise the lot after writing up the white SUV.
They are called different things in different jurisdictions: Ticket, Citation, Infraction. I haven't had one in at least 20 years and I'd like to keep it that way.
A couple of weeks ago, I had what I think was a close call. U turns in Warshington state are permitted under most conditions if doing so is not otherwise prohibited. In other words, if there isn't a sign that says, "No U Turn." it's allowed.
I figure, if there isn't such a sign, and it's safe, I'm okay. There is a Home Depot store on the way to one of my daughter's places. Approaching from the south on a major highway, I can cross an intersection and enter the west entrance to the parking lot. If the highway is jammed up, I can make a right turn, go down the cross street about 300 yards, and make a U turn, go back up the cross street the other direction and turn into the parking lot on the south side.
On this day, there were very many vehicles in the right lane approaching the cross street, so I opted for the right turn, then U turn maneuver. I rounded the corner, came close to where I was to make the U turn, and out of the corner of my eye, I saw a deputy pull out of a parking lot on the opposite side of the street coming along behind me. But in the meantime, a white SUV coming east on the cross street decided to do the same U turn maneuver in the same place I had done. Then I saw the red and blue lights of the deputy's vehicle come on. I kept going, and made my turn into the Home Depot parking lot. But the deputy didn't follow me; evidently he pulled over the white SUV instead. I think it was just a matter of chance that the white vehicle got it instead of me.
Yet, I kept wondering, if U turns are allowed if not specifically prohibited, what had I done wrong? The only thing I can think of is that I didn't use my left turn signal when I executed the U turn. And maybe the white vehicle failed to do so as well. I've seen LEO's pull over more than one vehicle at a time, but in this case the U turn situation didn't lend itself to that.
I did not stop and go into Home Depot. I kept on going through the parking lot and on over to my daughter's place. Was that eluding?? I had in mind the deputy might just cruise the lot after writing up the white SUV.
They are called different things in different jurisdictions: Ticket, Citation, Infraction. I haven't had one in at least 20 years and I'd like to keep it that way.
I've had passengers start crying or have a melt down panic attack - as in men.
