Turning Violations

Suddenly you realized you had gone the wrong way and you reacted quickly. You made a u-turn even though it held up traffic. The police can write you a ticket for an illegal u-turn.

A moving violation ticket – or two or three — can lead to escalating difficulties like points on your driving record, costly fines, rising insurance premiums and even suspension of your driver’s license. A defense attorney can help you minimize or avoid these problems.

What You Need To Know About Illegal U-Turns

In Pennsylvania, you can be ticketed for illegal turning around (making a u-turn) if you do so on a street where there is a sign saying “No U-Turns.”

Even if a sign is not present, you can still be cited if you make a u-turn wherever it will not be safe for you or others:

• Your u-turn interferes with traffic
• Your u-turn is taken on a street’s curve
• Your u-turn was on a hill when your vehicle could not be seen by other drivers within 500 feet

You are prohibited from making a u-turn on the Pennsylvania Turnpike. The only way you can reverse direction on the turnpike is to drive through an interchange and pay your fare. However, in an emergency the State Police may OK a u-turn and fare collection personnel may also OK a u-turn at the interchange.

If you are found guilty of an illegal u-turn you will receive three points.

Illegal Left Turn

If you want to make a left turn at an intersection, the driver approaching from the other direction has the right of way and you have to yield to them.

If you fail to yield to the oncoming driver when making a left turn, you can get three points.

Turn Signal Violations

• If you are traveling at less than 35 MPH, you need to use your turn signal at least 100 feet before making a turn.
• If you are traveling more than 35 MPH, you need to use your turn signal at least 300 feet before making a turn.
• If your car’s turn signal is not working, you need to hand signal your intention to turn.

If you are found guilty of a turn signal violation you will have to pay a fine but you will not receive any points.

What To Do If The Police Pull You Over

• Turn the ignition off but don’t get out of the car.
• Don’t argue with the police officer or get angry.
• Be polite.

How A Lawyer Will Help

When you are up against a traffic violation, you need an attorney who will stand by you every step of the way, work hard to discredit any evidence – and work with you to determine your best course of action.

Pennsylvania Traffic Violation Law

Traffic violation is described and defined under The Pennsylvania Code under Title 75. Read the code here.