4.3 Turning Procedures, Intersection Left Turns & Permissible U-Turns

4.3 Turning Procedures, Intersection Left Turns & Permissible U-Turns

Turning maneuvers represent a substantial source of severe collisions on Georgia roadways because they require drivers to cross opposing traffic streams, slow down within active travel lanes, and interact with vulnerable road users such as bicyclists and pedestrians. The Georgia General Assembly enacted comprehensive turning statutes codified under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-120 through § 40-6-123 and O.C.G.A. § 40-6-71. Understanding proper signaling distances, lane positioning, right-of-way yielding rules, and statutory restrictions on U-turns is vital for every Georgia driver.

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Turn Signaling Mandates (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-123)

Communicating your driving intentions in advance is a mandatory legal duty, not an optional courtesy. Georgia statute O.C.G.A. § 40-6-123 sets explicit requirements for directional signaling:

The Mandatory 100-Foot Continuous Signal Rule

Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-123(b), a signal of intention to turn right or left or change lanes must be given continuously during not less than the last 100 feet traveled by the vehicle before turning.

• Activating your turn signal while already initiating the turn or after entering an intersection does not satisfy Georgia law.
• You must signal when changing lanes, entering or exiting interstate expressways, passing another vehicle, turning into a private driveway or parking stall, or pulling away from a curbside parking space.
• Drivers must verify that their mechanical signal cancels automatically after completing the turn; driving with an active turn signal misleads other motorists and causes intersection collisions.

Official Hand-and-Arm Signals (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-124 & § 40-6-125)

If a vehicle's electrical directional indicators or brake lamps are malfunctioning, or when operating certain specialized or vintage vehicles, the driver must communicate movements using standard hand-and-arm signals extended from the left side of the vehicle:

Georgia Statutory Hand-and-Arm Signals:

        Left Turn                 Right Turn              Stop or Slow Down
     (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-125)     (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-125)     (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-125)

          ___________               _|_                       |
         |                         |   |                      |  
    =====O                         |   |                 =====O
                                   |___|                      |
                              =====O                          |
                                                              v

    Hand & arm extended        Hand & arm extended       Hand & arm extended
    horizontally outward       upward at 90° angle       downward at 90° angle
    straight from window.      toward the sky.           with palm facing rear.

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Left Turns Across Oncoming Traffic (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-71)

Making a left turn across oncoming traffic is statistically one of the most hazardous driving maneuvers on public roads. Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-71, the legal requirement is absolute:

Statutory Rule: "The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left within an intersection or into an alley, private road, or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard."

Key Procedural Steps for Unprotected Left Turns

1. Approach Position: Signal 100 feet in advance and position your vehicle in the designated left-turn lane or, on an undivided street without a turn lane, in the left portion of your travel lane close to the center line.
2. Intersection Positioning: On a circular green light, you may enter the intersection past the stop line if safe to do so, waiting for an adequate opening in oncoming traffic.
3. Yielding Mandate: You must yield to all oncoming vehicles traveling straight through or turning right, as well as any pedestrians crossing the street into which you are turning.
4. Destination Lane: Complete the turn smoothly, entering the leftmost travel lane legally available in your direction of travel (unless pavement markings or signs direct you into a different lane).

The Straight-Wheels Safety Doctrine

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Right Turn Execution (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-120)

Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-120(a)(1), both the approach for a right turn and the right turn itself must be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.

Defensive Right Turn Checklist

• Signal: Activate your right turn signal at least 100 feet prior to the turn.
• Position: Move smoothly toward the right curb or into the dedicated right-turn deceleration lane. Avoid swinging wide to the left prior to turning (a common and dangerous "button-hook" maneuver that invites trailing vehicles to pass on your right).
• Scan Vulnerable Users: Scan your passenger-side blind spot over your right shoulder for bicyclists riding in adjacent bike lanes, scooter riders, and pedestrians stepping off the curb.
• Complete the Turn: Turn sharply into the rightmost travel lane of the cross street. Do not drift into the left travel lane during the turn.

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Turning on Red Signals (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-21)

Georgia permits turns on steady red lights under strictly defined statutory conditions:

Right Turn on Red

• You may execute a right turn at a steady circular red signal only after coming to a complete stop behind the stop line or crosswalk.
• You must yield the right-of-way to all oncoming traffic, cross traffic, bicyclists, and pedestrians crossing within adjacent crosswalks.
• If a regulatory sign stating NO TURN ON RED is posted, you must remain stopped until the signal turns green.

Left Turn on Red (The One-Way Rule)

Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-21(a)(3)(B), a left turn on a steady red light is legal in Georgia EXCLUSIVELY when turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street:

1. Both the street you are traveling on and the street you are entering must be authorized one-way streets carrying traffic to the left.
2. The driver must first come to a full and complete stop at the stop line.
3. The driver must yield to all approaching cross traffic, bicycles, and crossing pedestrians.
4. Left turns on red from a two-way street or onto a two-way street are strictly illegal under Georgia law.

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U-Turn Regulations and Limitations (O.C.G.A. § 40-6-121)

A U-turn is defined as turning a vehicle around so as to proceed in the opposite direction. While U-turns can provide convenient course correction, they create severe crash risks if executed in areas with restricted sightlines.

Under O.C.G.A. § 40-6-121, no driver shall make a U-turn:

1. On Curves and Hill Crests (The 500-Foot Visibility Rule): U-turns are strictly prohibited upon any curve, or upon the approach to or near the crest of a grade (hill), where the vehicle cannot be seen by the driver of any other vehicle approaching from either direction within 500 feet.
2. Where Regulatory Signs Prohibit: U-turns are illegal at any intersection, median crossover, or roadway segment where an official NO U-TURN sign is displayed.
3. Where Unsafe or Obstructing Traffic: U-turns are unlawful anywhere the maneuver cannot be executed safely and without interfering with other vehicular traffic.
4. Across Painted Medians and Dividers: Drivers may not execute a U-turn across continuous physical barriers, unpaved medians, or double solid yellow lines on divided highways except at authorized, paved crossover openings.

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Multi-Lane Turning Bays

At major Georgia intersections, multiple lanes are frequently marked for simultaneous left or right turns. Pavement arrows and overhead signs indicate which movements are permitted from each lane.

• Stay in Your Designated Lane: When turning from a dual or triple turn lane, you must maintain your lane tracking throughout the entire turn from entry to exit. Entering in the outside turn lane mandates exiting into the outside receiving lane. Drifting or cutting into an adjacent turning lane while turning is a primary cause of intersection sideswipe collisions.

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Summary of Turning Rules and Statutory Distance Thresholds