How to properly make a U-turn across tram tracks

Tram tracks are an integral attribute of any large old city. However, if not so long ago this method of transportation was the main one, now trams are only one of a long list of modes of transport. The rails for it are most often located on roads, so motorists constantly have to make a U-turn on the tram tracks so as not to hit the electric carrier. Moreover, drivers often encounter situations in which it is necessary to make a U-turn across tram tracks.

Traffic on tram tracks in the same direction

In order to understand when it is possible to make a U-turn on tram tracks, you first need to know whether it is possible to drive on tram tracks.
According to Rule 8.5 of the Traffic Regulations, there are a number of points at which a motorist has the right to drive on tram tracks:

• they are flush with the surrounding roadway
• they are on the left hand of the motorist
• the movement of the tram must coincide with the movement of the driver

The above opportunity appears only if all three rules are met and there is no interference with traffic. From this we can construct frequently encountered situations in which traveling on tram tracks is prohibited by law:

• 1. Tram tracks are installed on the right hand of the driver.

This situation is less common than the left-sided arrangement, but it also occurs in our country.

• 2. Tram tracks are installed on the lawn, rising above the roadway or “pressed” into the roadway, thereby being located below the road.

In this case, the rails and the surrounding area are perceived as a dividing strip along which travel is obviously prohibited by traffic rules, regardless of the presence of tracks on it.

• 3. Trying to drive onto oncoming tram tracks

This action is a violation of the rules, as it is considered a problematic situation for traffic.

In addition, every driver needs to be careful and check for special road signs and solid lines along the rails. Both of them are talking about a ban on entering the territory of tram tracks. It is also important to understand that crossing the rails that are on the right hand of the driver is strictly prohibited.

When movement is prohibited

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There are several options for making a U-turn on tram tracks. Last but not least, motorists should be aware of the sanctions for an incorrect maneuver, as they are very significant. In any case, whether a U-turn is made according to the rules or not, the movement of the car on the tracks should not interfere with other vehicles.

Driving onto tram tracks and performing related maneuvers is completely prohibited in the following situations:

• the rails are located to the right of the strip (this is a fairly rare phenomenon, but it does happen sometimes);
• tracks on a hill or in a depression - in this case they play the role of a separation strip that cannot be entered;
• prohibited by markings 1.1, 1.2.1, 1.3 (crossing solid lines) and signs 3.19, 4.1.1, 4.1.2, 4.1.4;
• You cannot overtake or go around into oncoming traffic on a road with traffic in two directions or with 4 or more lanes. In these areas, left turns and U-turns are provided at intersections and other places where this is permitted and indicated with signs and markings;
• carrying out a maneuver, violating clause 8.5 (further in the text, all points will be according to the traffic rules of the Russian Federation), which states that if the rails are on the left, traffic on them is passing and they are at the same level as the road, maneuvers are carried out from them. The rule is applied as follows: you need to leave the roadway, occupying the extreme part of the road, change lanes on the tram tracks and turn around from them;
• You cannot turn around from the rails with oncoming traffic and drive along them (Section 9.6 of the Traffic Regulations, Part 4 of Article 12.15 of the Administrative Code), otherwise this may serve as the basis for severe punishment, including deprivation of rights. Driving this way is only allowed when there are appropriate signs.

In addition to the above, turning around is prohibited under clause 8.11 in the following areas:

• at railway crossings;
• in places where visibility is less than 100 m;
• areas for public transport stops;
• bridges, overpasses, passages, in tunnels.

U-turn across tram tracks outside the intersection

Many people ask the question “Is it possible to turn around on tram tracks?” In order for a motorist to make a U-turn across tram tracks, he needs to perform a certain algorithm of actions:

1. Check the route for legality of a turn:

• the rails are flush with the road surface
• the tracks are located on the left side of the driver
• there is no single or double solid line to the left, middle or right of the rails

2. Give way to a passing tram.

3. Change lanes along the path of passing traffic.

4. Make a left turn on the opposite route so that the car crosses them perpendicular to the traffic flow. Otherwise, the situation will be regarded as driving in the oncoming lane.

5. Drive, with or without a U-turn, onto the required highway.

After completing all the actions, the turn on the tram tracks will be considered completed correctly, and not a single traffic police representative will have any reason to make a claim.

Changing traffic rules

Starting from October 17, 2011, the decision of the Supreme Court of the Russian Federation related to paragraph 9.6 of the traffic rules came into force. It indicates that the part of clause 9.6 affecting traffic on tram tracks should be considered invalid. It sounds like this:

To recognize as invalid from the date the court decision enters into legal force the first sentence of paragraph 9.6 of the Traffic Rules of the Russian Federation, approved by Resolution of the Council of Ministers - Government of the Russian Federation of October 23, 1993 N 1090, as amended on December 14, 2005 N 767, in part , allowing movement on tram tracks in the same direction, located on the left at the same level as the roadway, for overtaking.

This improvement in the rules eliminated the previously existing ambiguity (on the one hand, the rules allowed overtaking on tram tracks in the same direction, but on the other hand, such a maneuver was impossible even theoretically).

U-turn at an intersection

Let's consider a situation where it is necessary to make a U-turn at an intersection with tram tracks. To make a correct turn across tram tracks according to traffic regulations, the roadway must meet the following criteria:

• tram tracks are located to the driver's left;
• tram tracks and road surface are on the same level;
• movement along tram tracks and the road surface is carried out in one direction.

If the road meets these criteria, you are required to drive onto the passing lane of the tram tracks and make a U-turn on the tram tracks or turn left.

According to traffic rules, a U-turn or a left turn is made from the leftmost lane . If there is no demarcation (curb or other element of structural separation of roads), as well as in the absence of signs 5.15.1 and 5.15.2 and road markings 1.18, the passing lane of the railway tracks is the leftmost lane, so turns to the left and a U-turn are carried out with it.

Video: rules for turning around outside an intersection across tram tracks.

Traffic rules

The contents of the traffic rules relating to turning around on tram tracks are disclosed above.

Let us briefly list them and what they regulate:

Turning at an intersection with tram tracks

Turning left from tram tracks, as well as turning across them, are carried out in the same way. However, you need to be careful in several other aspects:

• Do not try to cross the tram tracks located on the left side of the driver, perpendicular to both directions of movement of electric transport. Changing to co-directional tram tracks is mandatory in any case.

• In situations where a traffic controller or traffic light simultaneously allows the movement of both types of transport, according to clause 13.6 of the Road Traffic Rules, car drivers are required to let a representative of rail transport pass.

• An exception to the above point is the situation when, simultaneously with warning or prohibiting traffic lights, the arrow in the direction of movement is lit, then motorists and tram drivers change places, and the latter give way to the former.

Rules for making a left turn or U-turn when there are tram tracks at an intersection.

General provisions

Which driver making a turn will break the rules?

Making a U-turn at an intersection is one of the favorite techniques of many motorists. If we consider it from the point of view of legislation, a turn is the simplest maneuver provided for by the Rules of the Road.

This act requires drivers to make a U-turn at a highway intersection only if they have previously taken a left position. The law does not define the turning trajectory, so road inspectors do not have the right to make any demands on it.

All other nuances of performing this maneuver depend on the car owner himself.

For beginners, turning around at an intersection is one of the most difficult techniques. Such motorists do not know exactly at which road intersections this maneuver can be performed and at which it is not possible.

In accordance with the requirements of the Traffic Rules, this maneuver is possible if there are no signs prohibiting a turn. But even under such conditions, making a correct turn is a rather complex technique that many novice motorists cannot do. This is because when performing it, it is necessary to take into account a large number of details related to the location of the car on the lane and relative to other road users.

Fine for driving on tram tracks

There are often situations in which a motorist may hesitate or, due to inexperience or inattention, make an incorrect turn. If a traffic police officer notices this, the driver faces a fine for:

• stop on tram tracks - from 1.5 to 3 thousand rubles depending on the city in which it happened
• moving a continuous line - from 500 to 1500 rubles
• interference with tram traffic – up to 500 rubles
• travel on oncoming roads - up to 5 thousand rubles, in especially severe cases, deprivation of rights for a period of 4 months to 1 year is possible
• traveling to oncoming roads to avoid obstacles - from 1 to 1.5 thousand rubles

The rules for crossing tram tracks when there is communication in both directions are fully regulated. However, the traffic rules do not contain regulations for roads where rail traffic moves only in one direction. If a motorist is on such a highway, then he should be more careful and, in case of danger to his life or wallet, try not to make a U-turn and get to the intersection.

Fine for turning around at an intersection Article 12.14, 12.15, 12.16 Code of Administrative Offenses of the Russian Federation

For some drivers who don't know what to do in a particular situation, there are two golden rules. First, do not do anything that may be unsafe for yourself and other road users. Second, do not make maneuvers if there are police nearby. It's actually more about a "touch" of humor. But in order to feel a little more at ease and more confident on the road, it’s enough just to clearly know the traffic rules. So from time to time we have to turn around at an intersection, radically changing our position on the roadway. But was this maneuver always performed in accordance with traffic regulations? Do you know how to turn around correctly at an intersection? What fine is faced if a driver makes an incorrect turn at an intersection? We will talk about this in our article.

What is the penalty for violating traffic rules?

A person who violates the rules for moving along tram communications while driving a car faces administrative liability:

As is the case with many other fines, the driver has the right to pay half the amount if he meets the twenty-day deadline from the moment the inspector issues a decision to impose a punishment on him.

If time has passed, you need to know that the total time provided by law for voluntary repayment of debt is 60 days from the date the document enters into force.

Only a judge has the right to order deprivation of rights, that is, the violator will have to attend the meeting.

Moving along tram rails often raises questions among motorists. This type of public transport is present only in very large cities, and a driver who comes “from the outback” can easily get confused when driving onto the road along which the tracks pass.

The knowledge that is acquired while studying at a driving school is usually forgotten if it is not immediately put to use.

Therefore, when planning a trip, you must first repeat the traffic rules, or better yet, look at the illustrations that clearly show how to move along the roadway with rail communications.

What does the yellow marking line on the side of the road mean according to the traffic rules, the article says: yellow markings in the traffic rules. For information on changing lanes at the same time according to traffic rules, see the page.

Find out what new information signs have appeared in the traffic rules from this information.

Features of exiting the tram lane

In accordance with the requirements of the traffic rules (hereinafter referred to as the Rules), a motorist has the right to use the rails for a tram only if the tracks are located on the left side of the road and in the same direction.

Another mandatory condition that every motorist who wants to use tram rails to meet their needs must comply with is that only tracks that are level with the main road surface can be used.

In the case where tram rails are located above or below the main road surface, they are recognized as a dividing strip, on which the driving of other vehicles is prohibited.

In addition to a fine and loss of driver's license, a motorist can also cause significant damage to their vehicle.

Driving on the rails located on the right side is also prohibited, since in this case the driver drives into the oncoming lane, for which he can also receive a fine and lose his license.