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AIBU?

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Original poster

A driving AIBU: three point turns

112 replies

BeanAround · 05/02/2025 13:55

This morning I was parked up next to the curb on a long straight 30mph urban road which is moderately busy. I needed to drive off in the opposite direction. The road is wide, but wide enough to U-turn meaning I had to do a three point turn in the road.

I waited until I had a reasonable amount of space clear of traffic in both directions - nothing visible behind me, and a car approaching about 300m away in front of me.

I completed two points of the three point turn and was ready to execute the third point as the approaching car reached me.

At this point, who should give way?

I fully expected the approaching car to adjust their speed so I could drive off ahead, but the car continued without slowing and went ahead of me, which gave me a bit of start.

YABU - the car turning in the road should give way to the approaching car, letting them pass before completing the 3 point turn

YANBU - the approaching car should slow to allow the car turning to complete the manoeuvre.

OP posts:
gamerchick · 05/02/2025 14:14

Yeah you stop and wait. I mean it's nice if someone stops / slows and lets you get on with it.

ForRealCat · 05/02/2025 14:13

BeanAround · 05/02/2025 14:09

The reality of London at rush hour is that there's basically no such thing as a quiet side street.

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Oh is it going to be one of these threads, where a poster asks AIBU and then goes to argue the toss that they weren't.

No, you shouldn't begin a manoeuvre if it is going to cause another driver to have to take evasive action.

pigsDOfly · 05/02/2025 14:12

You stop and let the person driving towards you pass.

You really can't expect them to stop for you.

Sirzy · 05/02/2025 14:11

BeanAround · 05/02/2025 14:09

The reality of London at rush hour is that there's basically no such thing as a quiet side street.

Show quote history

If the side roads are too busy to safely turn then it makes doing it in the main road even more dangerous!

fishingfor · 05/02/2025 14:10

If the car travelling towards you was doing 30mph, it would take only 22 seconds to reach you. Not long enough for a 3 point turn?

Original poster
BeanAround · 05/02/2025 14:09

Sirzy · 05/02/2025 13:59

You should have continued along the road until a point where you could safely turn. Find a quiet side street if needed.

The reality of London at rush hour is that there's basically no such thing as a quiet side street.

OP posts:
CurlsLDN · 05/02/2025 14:07

In my driving lessons (about 5 years ago) I was taught that you do 3 point turns only when there is no nearby traffic, and if a car approaches you pause your manoeuvre in a safe position and let them pass

FictionalCharacter · 05/02/2025 14:02

You should. And you shouldn't have started a 3 point turn with another car approaching and only 300m away.

Sirzy · 05/02/2025 13:59

You should have continued along the road until a point where you could safely turn. Find a quiet side street if needed.

icouldholditwithacobweb · 05/02/2025 13:58

YABU, don't piss about doing 3 point turns on a busy road, you drive off in the direction you're facing and find somewhere to turn safely or some roads to drive down that will allow you to drive back the way you came. Cannot believe you are genuinely asking this.

fishingfor · 05/02/2025 13:58

You should not manoeuvre in a way that causes another road user to change speed or direction.

dementedpixie · 05/02/2025 13:58

I dont think you should be making the other driver slow down so they were within their rights to continue forward past you. As a courtesy they could have let you complete the manoeuvre but they didn't need to

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