Traffic Law Question - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

Skippy · #1 07-04-2011, 01:17 AM

Short version: Is it illegal to cross a double yellow pavement line in order to make a left turn?

I got pulled over today (but not cited

). The deputy stated he was looking for DUI's and began following me when I failed to signal a right turn (oops, my bad) and then hit the lights when I made a left turn across a double yellow line. I previously had not heard that it was illegal to cross a double yellow for the purpose of a left turn, and my search of the Nevada Revised Statutes and Carson City Municipal Code didn't turn up anything that said this is a strictly illegal act. I found both NRS and CCMC* that state (paraphrasing) you can cross a double yellow to make a left turn as long as you give the appropriate signal and can do it safely. Who's right?

*Specifically NRS 484B.217 and CCMC 10.10.060

compress ignite · #2 07-04-2011, 01:24 AM

Let me ask you this?
On a roadway striped with Double Yellow Lines...How else are you supposed to turn Left,except if you cross the DYL ?

That Said,I literally Welcome all the "Roadside Assists" the Constabulary care to
Grace me with (I've Nothing to Hide) and MAYBE by "Luck of the Draw" they'll
Sooner or Later Pull over a Drunken: Senator,Congressman or Governor.
OR Karl Rove with a 12 Year Old Panamanian Femme Fatale in his lap.

Skippy · #3 07-04-2011, 01:27 AM

That's kind of what I was thinking. The turn in question is to get into the parking lot of where I live, so if it does turn out to be an illegal turn, I'll have to start turning left two blocks sooner and going around the other way.

tbomachines · #4 07-04-2011, 01:29 AM

Don't they usually break the double yellow for streets and major lots??

Skippy · #5 07-04-2011, 01:33 AM

Not sure. I'll have to check. The lines aren't broken for this intersection.

TX76513 · #6 07-04-2011, 09:41 AM

You know there is going to be some different interpertations from state to state. The national authority on such things is reffered to as the MUTCD (Manual of Uniform Traffic Controll Devices.

Yes - thou shall not cross over a double yellow line. If they wanted you to be able to turn the line would have broken for the access. People argue that there should be a sign that states no left turn - well that's a lot of signs! and its to be understood no turn on double yellow - just like you must stop before entering a street (like from your driveway) there doesn't have to be a sign - its just the way it is.

amosfella · #7 07-04-2011, 09:44 AM

You could have asked him for a demonstration of the correct way to make that turn...

leathermang · #8 07-04-2011, 10:00 AM

Yes , it is illegal to make a left turn across a double yellow line.
This is typically set up like that for highest traffic times and seems silly the rest of the time... but if they are looking to check for DUI or something... perfectly good stop....
Our city has this in front of the City Hall / library .... so it does not back up traffic behind one person trying to turn left... so the correct procedure is to travel to where you can turn left and come back on that side of the street and turn right into where you want to go..
How do I know this : During Texas Peace Officer training (1980) a DPS Officer came and spent a week and read the entire motor vehicle code to us... ITEM BY ITEM..... a very long dry week...

Yak · #9 07-04-2011, 01:08 PM

I'd interpret NRS 484B.217 section 4 as you have, but there's the whole judgment thing. If ticketed, you could contest, but it would be the trooper's word (and maybe camera) against yours. If there's a SIGN, then no, you can't turn but since the statute explicitly says "pavement striping" and "left-hand turn". Cross a double yellow to pass? No. Double yellow to turn left. I'd say yes, with caveats.

4. Except where otherwise provided, a driver may drive across a pavement striping marking such a zone to make a left-hand turn if the driver has first given the appropriate turn signal in compliance with NRS 484B.413, if it is safe and if it would not be an impediment to oncoming or following traffic.

NRS 484B.413 Requirements for turning on highway; signal for stopping or decreasing speed.

1. A driver shall not turn a vehicle from a direct course upon a highway unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety, and then only after giving a clearly audible signal by sounding the horn if any pedestrian may be affected by such movement and after giving an appropriate signal if any other vehicle may be affected by such movement.

2. A signal of intention to turn right or left, or otherwise turn a vehicle from a direct course, shall be given continuously during not less than the last 100 feet traveled in a business or residential district and not less than the last 300 feet traveled in any other area prior to changing the course of a vehicle. This rule shall be observed, regardless of the weather.

3. A driver shall not stop or suddenly decrease the speed of a vehicle without first giving an appropriate signal to the driver of any vehicle immediately to the rear.

(Added to NRS by 1969, 1494; A 1973, 1327)—(Substituted in revision for NRS 484.343)

leathermang · #10 07-04-2011, 01:14 PM

Fortunately the Trouper just used this rule to check for other things.. and he had no damage since he got a warning , not a ticket...

Hatterasguy · #11 07-04-2011, 01:34 PM

Its one of those laws no one follows, unless they are fishing as in your case.

leathermang · #12 07-04-2011, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hatterasguy

Its one of those laws no one follows, unless they are fishing as in your case.

OR... if you stop for a left hand turn when it is not allowed by the double yellow line....and someone rearends you... you are at fault...

Hatterasguy · #13 07-04-2011, 03:05 PM

Not in CT, if someone rear ends you its always their fault, it means you were not following at a safe distance, and/or not paying attention.

layback40 · #14 07-04-2011, 11:31 PM

Simple solution is if you make this turn often, best you get a can of black paint & put a gap in the line when no one is watching !!

Pooka · #15 07-05-2011, 02:18 AM

The short answer to your question, in Texas anyway, is Yes.

In fact the DPS used to have a Driver Testing Station in Irving, Texas, where at the end of the driving test you were instructed to turn left into the parking lot of the test station. There was a break in the double yellow lines, but you had to drive out of your way to go through the break and almost turn back 90+degrees in order to drive into the parking lot. I think this was at the corner of Rochelle and O'Conner.

If you just turned in and any part of your car went over the double yellow you flunked. It turns out the DPS had set it up that way just to sort of 'teach you a lesson'.

However, word spread quickly through the Schools there and folks taking their tests were wise to the trick before they went on their driving test. In those days you could get a drivers permit at the age of 14, unless it was a hardship case and then you could start driving at 12. Some of the testers thought this was just too young and set up the trap to discourage 12 year old drivers.

By the way, you could get a motorcycle permit, if you needed to get back and forth to work, at the age of 10. I didn't have one of these but a few of my friends did.