When, where to make a U-turn

Q. It seems more and more drivers are making U-turns at intersections while their traffic lane has a red light. I always understood drivers were required to wait for a green light before beginning a U-turn. Is this true?

On a related note, most vehicles swing pretty wide when making a U-turn. Some intersections are now signal-controlled with right-turn green arrows on one roadway while left-turn green arrows are displayed on the opposite roadway. More than once, I've come dangerously close to an accident. Both drivers have green arrows. Which driver has the right-of-way?

--L. G., Naperville

A. U-turns are permitted at intersections where you have a traffic control device such as a traffic light or a stop sign, but there are some rules that govern when you can do it.

"You have to wait until you have the right-of-way, and your turn doesn't interfere with other traffic," said Tom Meloni, Deputy Chief with the Wheaton Police Department.

Drivers need to wait until they have the green light. If the intersection has signal-controlled left-turn lanes, drivers have to wait until they have a green left-turn arrow.

Also, you can't make a Y-turn or three-point turn, and you have to make your U-turn from the inside or left lane.

As far as U-turning cars and right-turning cars almost colliding, that shouldn't happen.

"The cars making the right turn are simply making a right turn on red when they shouldn't be," Meloni said.

"The U-turning car would have the right-of-way in that situation."

Meloni said there shouldn't be right-turn green arrows at an intersection that also allows U-turns on green left-turn arrows. "'No U-turn' signs would be posted to avoid a possible accident," Meloni said.

If drivers notice a green-arrow-right-turn intersection that doesn't have signs prohibiting U-turns, call your local police to notify them of the problem.

Section 625ILCS5/11-802 of the Illinois Vehicle Code, Limitations on U-turns, can be viewed at the Illinois secretary of state's Web site, www.cyberdriveillinois.com.