What is the controlling law for making a U-Turn in New Mexico? Only at intersections? Never at intersections? Only when permitted (by sign)? Anywhere that’s not marked to prohibit it?
U-turns are not covered in the driver’s license manual.
In some states, U-Turns may only be made at an intersection.
In others, U-Turns may not be made at intersections (I was cited for this once in California).
New Mexico State Statute # 66-7-322 Required position and method of turning at intersections, governs turning as well as 66-7-325. I have posted copys of the statutes but basically you can make a u-turn at an intersection provided there is no signs or lights prohibiting it.
Sheriff Greg Solano
66-7-322 Required position and method of turning at intersections
The driver of a vehicle intending to turn at an intersection shall do so as follows:
A. 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;
B. at any intersection where traffic is permitted to move in both directions on each roadway entering the intersection, an approach for a left turn, except where left-turn provisions are made, shall be made in that portion of the right half of the roadway nearest the center line thereof and by passing to the right of such center line 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 center line 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;
C. upon a roadway with two or more lanes for through traffic in each direction, where a center lane has been provided by distinctive pavement markings for the use of vehicles turning left from both directions, no vehicle shall turn left from any other lane. A vehicle shall not be driven in this center lane for the purpose of overtaking or passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction. Any maneuver other than a left turn from this center lane will be deemed a violation of this section;
D. 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 and 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; and
E. local authorities in their respective jurisdictions may cause markers, buttons or signs to be placed within or adjacent to intersections and thereby require and direct that a different course from that specified in this section be traveled by vehicles turning at an intersection, and when markers, buttons or signs are so placed no driver of a vehicle shall turn a vehicle at an intersection other than as directed and required by the markers, buttons or signs.
66-7-325. Turning movements and required signals.
A. No person shall turn a vehicle at an intersection unless the vehicle is in proper position upon the roadway as required in Section 66-7-322 NMSA 1978, or turn a vehicle to enter a private road or driveway or otherwise turn a vehicle from a direct course 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 in the manner hereinafter provided in the event any other traffic may be affected by such movement.
B. A signal of intention to turn right or left when required shall be given continuously during not less than the last one hundred feet 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 herein to the driver of any vehicle immediately to the rear when there is opportunity to give such signal.
I attended traffic school in Albuquerque and was told that it is illegal to make a u-turn at an intersection where there is a commerical establishment on any of the four corners. Could there be a difference in Albuquerque or did I receive incorrect information?
I once received a ticket for making an illegal u-turn in a “business district” on Central Avenue near the Frontier restaurant, long ago when there were no signs posted. This seems to support Dmarie.