A. Turning Markers Or Indicators: The mayor, subject to direction by the council, is authorized to have placed markers, buttons or signs within or adjacent to intersections indicating the course to be traveled by vehicles turning at such intersections. Such course to be traveled shall be indicated. When authorized markers, buttons or other indicators are placed within an intersection indicating the course to be traveled by vehicles turning thereat, no driver of a vehicle shall disobey the directions of such indicators. (1992 Code § 15-902)
B. Designation Of Restricted Turns:
1. The mayor, subject to direction by the council, may determine those intersections at which drivers of vehicles shall not make a right turn, left turn or U-turn, and shall have placed proper signs at such intersections. The making of such turns may be prohibited between certain hours of any day and permitted at other hours.
2. Whenever authorized signs are erected indicating that no right turn, left turn or U-turn is permitted, no driver of a vehicle shall disobey the directions of any such sign. (1992 Code § 15-903)
C. Required Position And Method Of Turning At Intersections: The driver of a vehicle intending to turn at an intersection shall do so as follows:
1. Right Turns: Both the approach for a right turn and a right turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right hand curb or edge of the roadway;
2. Left Turns On Two-Way Roadways: At any intersection where traffic is permitted to move in both directions on each roadway entering the intersection, an approach for a left turn shall be made in that portion of the right half of the roadway nearest the centerline thereof and by passing to the right of such centerline where it enters the intersection; and after entering the intersection, the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection to the right of the centerline of the roadway being entered. Whenever practicable, the left turn shall be made in that portion of the intersection to the left of the center of the intersection; and
3. Left Turns On Other Than Two-Way Roadways: At any intersection where traffic is restricted to one direction on one or more of the roadways, the driver of a vehicle intending to turn left at any such intersection shall approach the intersection in the extreme left hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of travel of such vehicle. After entering the intersection, the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection, as nearly as practicable, in the left hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in such direction upon the roadway being entered. (1992 Code § 15-901)
D. Turning Movements And Required Signals:
1. Safe Turns; Signals Required:
a. No person shall turn a vehicle at an intersection, a public or private road, or a driveway, unless the vehicle is in proper position upon the roadway as required in subsection C of this section, or move right or left upon a roadway unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety. No person shall so turn any vehicle without giving an appropriate signal as provided in subsection D1b of this section, in the event any other traffic may be affected by such movement.
b. A signal of intention to turn right or left, as required by law, shall be given continuously during not less than the last one hundred feet (100') traveled by the vehicle before turning.
c. No person shall stop or suddenly decrease the speed of a vehicle without first giving an appropriate signal in the manner provided in subsection D1b of this section to the driver of any vehicle immediately to the rear when there is opportunity to give such signal.
d. When any person is properly preparing for, attempting or executing a left turn, as described in subsection D1a of this section, no other person operating another vehicle immediately following the turning vehicle shall pass or attempt to pass the turning vehicle to the left. Such other person shall come to a complete stop if necessary at a safe distance behind the person preparing for, attempting or executing the turn or may proceed to the right of the turning vehicle as provided by subsection 7-3-10C of this chapter. (1992 Code §§ 15-901, 15-905; amd. 2006 Code)
2. Methods Of Signaling:
a. Signals By Hand, Arm Or Signal Device:
(1) Any stop or turn signal, when required herein, shall be given either by means of the hand and arm or by signal lamps, except as otherwise provided in subsection D2a(2) of this section.
(2) Any motor vehicle in use on a highway shall be equipped with, and required signal shall be given by, signal lamps when the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the left outside limit of the body, cab or load of such motor vehicle exceeds twenty four inches (24"), or when the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the rear limit of the body or load thereof exceeds fourteen feet (14'). The latter measurement shall apply to any single vehicle and to any combination of vehicles. (1992 Code § 15-906)
b. Method Of Giving Hand Signals: All signals herein required given by hand and arm shall be given from the left side of the vehicle in the following manner:
(1) Left turn: Hand and arm extended horizontally;
(2) Right turn: Hand and arm extended upward; and
(3) Stop or decrease speed: Hand and arm extended downward. (1992 Code § 15-907)
E. U-Turns:
1. U-Turns Prohibited: Except as hereinafter provided, no person shall operate a vehicle so as to turn more than ninety degrees (90°) on any street or highway.
2. Exceptions: Persons excepted are those who can safely execute that turn if at an intersection, but it is unlawful for the driver of a vehicle to make such a turn at any intersection:
a. Where traffic control signals are installed;
b. Where a police officer is directing traffic except at the latter's direction; or
c. Where an official no U-turn sign has been placed and is maintained. (1992 Code § 15-904)