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Massachusetts U-Turn Legality?

  1. #1
    Senior Member TwelveGaugeSage's Avatar
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    Massachusetts U-Turn Legality?

    I commute home from work at 11pm and run into a lot of red lights in very light to non-existent traffic. Is there anything concrete in MA law that says I can't go right on red, pull a U-turn, then make another right at the light? Barring "No U-Turns" and "No Turn on Red" signs of course. I haven't been able to find anything concrete on the matter. I've been doing this for years on my motorcycles without any worries, but I pulled the maneuver last night in my Wrangler and it felt a bit like I was getting away with something.

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  2. #2

    Re: Massachusetts U-Turn Legality?

    I think there’s some bs law covering that. I think it’s similar to using a parking lot to cross and avoid a traffic light or something. Not sure what it’s called or if it’s still in effect

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  3. #3
    Lifer Garandman's Avatar
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    Re: Massachusetts U-Turn Legality?


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    BMW track whore e30addict's Avatar
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    Re: Massachusetts U-Turn Legality?

    I pull ueys in front of cops all the time.

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  5. #5
    Senior Member TwelveGaugeSage's Avatar
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    Re: Massachusetts U-Turn Legality?

    So it would seem they have some weird fascination with double yellow lines in this state. I'm pretty sure even Cali allows U-turns over double yellows. Good to know though. Thanks for the replies.

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  6. #6
    Lifer
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    Re: Massachusetts U-Turn Legality?

    Quote Originally Posted by TwelveGaugeSage View Post
    So it would seem they have some weird fascination with double yellow lines in this state. I'm pretty sure even Cali allows U-turns over double yellows. Good to know though. Thanks for the replies.
    I thought it was weird they make specific mention of 'double' yellow lines in an article about the nuances of law since I'm pretty sure a double and single yellow line are the essentially the same thing in MA.

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  7. #7
    Senior Member TwelveGaugeSage's Avatar
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    Re: Massachusetts U-Turn Legality?

    Quote Originally Posted by aldend123 View Post
    I thought it was weird they make specific mention of 'double' yellow lines in an article about the nuances of law since I'm pretty sure a double and single yellow line are the essentially the same thing in MA.
    Funny you mention that. According to this and some other sources, they have no legality whatsoever in Mass: Lines, lights, and rule breakers - The Boston Globe

    I don't know if that is true or not, but I go on four different roads marked by a single yellow on my way to work.

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  8. #8
    Lifer Garandman's Avatar
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    Re: Massachusetts U-Turn Legality?

    Quote Originally Posted by TwelveGaugeSage View Post
    So it would seem they have some weird fascination with double yellow lines in this state. I'm pretty sure even Cali allows U-turns over double yellows. Good to know though. Thanks for the replies.
    When I have to do this, I try to pull into a side street or driveway, or stop and back up into one, then turn. Legality remains untested.

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  9. #9
    Lifer Falko's Avatar
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    Re: Massachusetts U-Turn Legality?

    I always thought you had to stay 150ft or something away from an intersection for a u-turn. Kind of like changing lanes at an intersection, not supposed to.

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  10. #10
    Wizard loudbeard's Avatar
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    Re: Massachusetts U-Turn Legality?

    What a cluster fuck.

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    I went to MMI I know what Im doing here chief

  11. #11
    Senior Member TwelveGaugeSage's Avatar
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    Re: Massachusetts U-Turn Legality?

    Quote Originally Posted by Falko View Post
    I always thought you had to stay 150ft or something away from an intersection for a u-turn. Kind of like changing lanes at an intersection, not supposed to.
    Out here a lot of the main roads, like in Chicopee, the road is divided so you generally have to make U-turns at intersections if you want to go left.

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