3.5 Turning, Hand Signals, U-Turns & Roundabouts

The Manual's Turning Steps

When turning, the Maryland Driver's Manual says you should:

1. Look for signs and signals that tell you when and where you may turn.
2. Plan your turn before you reach the turning point, and get into the correct lane early.
3. Switch on your turn signal before you reach the turn. Maryland law requires the signal for at least the last 100 feet before turning.
4. Look in front, behind and to both sides to make sure the turn is safe.
5. Adjust your speed for the turn, braking before the turn rather than during it.

Turn signals are for turning, changing lanes and pulling away from a stop. Maryland law says they may not be flashed as a courtesy "go ahead and pass" signal to the driver behind you.

Right Turns

• Get close to the right side of the road, or into the right-turn lane, well before the corner.
• If a bike lane or shoulder is on your right, look for cyclists before moving over. Never make a right turn immediately after passing a bicyclist, because you may cut them off.
• Turn into the right lane of the new street; do not swing wide.
• After stopping at a red light, a right turn is allowed unless a sign prohibits it, and you must yield to pedestrians and traffic.

Left Turns

• Approach in the left-turn lane, or in the lane closest to the center line.
• On a green ball or flashing yellow arrow, yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. A green arrow gives you a protected turn, but still yield to anyone in the intersection.
• Keep your wheels straight while you wait, so a rear-end hit does not push you into oncoming traffic.
• Turn into the nearest lane going your way, then change lanes later if needed.
• Do not turn left immediately in front of an oncoming bicycle or motorcycle.

Hand-and-Arm Signals

If your signals fail, or the sun washes them out, use your left arm out the window:

Bicyclists use hand-and-arm signals too, because bicycles have no turn signals. Watch a cyclist's arms for clues about their next move.

U-Turns

The manual warns that U-turns can be extremely dangerous and are not legal everywhere. If you must make one:

1. First check that U-turns are allowed there; look for No U-Turn signs.
2. Turn on your left turn signal.
3. Stop and yield to traffic coming toward you.
4. When the way is clear, turn into the outside, or right-hand, lane going in the opposite direction.

Never make a U-turn where you cannot see far enough to be safe, such as on a curve or near a hilltop. On limited-access highways, never use median crossovers; they are for authorized vehicles only.

Traffic Circles and Roundabouts

Roads leading to traffic circles have yield signs. When you come to a circle, you must always yield to traffic already in the circle. As you approach:

• Reduce your speed.
• Keep to the right of the island; traffic circulates counterclockwise.
• Watch for and yield to pedestrians in the crosswalk.
• Cautiously approach the yield line and wait for a gap. Watch for vehicles exiting the circle.
• If there is no traffic in the circle, you do not need to wait to enter.

Multi-Lane Circles

If the circle has more than one lane, stay in your lane. When preparing to exit, turn on your right turn signal and move to the outside lane after you pass the exit before the one you plan to take. Choose your entry lane using the signs and arrows: typically the right lane for right turns and straight, and the left lane for left turns and U-turns. Give large trucks extra room, because they may need more than one lane.

Common Turning Errors

• Signaling late or not at all, so drivers behind you brake suddenly.
• Swinging wide before a right turn, which invites a bicycle or car to slip into the gap.
• Turning into the far lane instead of the nearest lane going your way.
• Rolling through a right turn on red without a complete stop.
• Stopping inside a roundabout to look for an exit; keep moving and go around again if you miss it.
• Forgetting pedestrians in the crosswalk of the street you are turning onto.

Scenario Practice

• You want to reverse direction on a four-lane street where U-turns are permitted. Signal left, stop and yield to oncoming traffic, then finish in the right-hand lane.
• You are in the inner lane of a two-lane roundabout and plan to take the third exit. After passing the second exit, signal right and move to the outside lane, then exit.