Even for a very seasoned driver, U-turn is a very tricky and dangerous maneuver. Although they teach it in truck-driving schools, there are a lot of limitations on where and when it is safe to make a u-turn. It is an unsafe maneuver by definition.

Unfortunately, it is hard to guarantee that you will never need to perform this maneuver your entire trucking career. You will have to do it more often than you think. It is important to understand when and how it is safe to do it. 

Dangers of U-turns

1. Most streets and freeways are too narrow for U-turns. It has to be done in a few steps, and a few possible adjustments.
2. The maneuver takes a long time, during which new vehicles may appear on the road or in the blind spot.
3. The swing of the trailer is wide and most part is not visible during the turn.
4. The drivers of the vehicles on the road might not realize how wide of a space you need for the u-turn and can continue to move.
5. There are traffic lines poles, lamp posts, and tree branches that may damage the sides of the trailer. 
6. The driver has to rely on other vehicles drivers to see him perform the maneuver and keep at a safe distance.
7. The driver of the truck assumes that the truck is big and visible and it will prompt other cars to stop
8. Performing the u-turn in the loading docks and yard areas, the driver might not be aware of other trucks starting moving, or not ensuring there is enough space for the maneuver.

The maneuver is to be avoided at all costs on freeways, busy city roads, roads with solid lines, and narrow roads. To somewhat minimize the dangers of U-turns there should be another driver or dedicated person stopping and controlling the traffic. This is called a controlled u-turn. Since most of the drivers travel solo this is rarely possible.

When is it safe to make a U-turn

While it is not advisable to perform uncontrolled U-turns on the city streets and freeways, there are areas where there is a more justified need to do it: such as the yard or the loading dock area where the space allows. 

When you are ready to do a U-turn, take all the necessary steps to make sure it is safe:

1. It is not prohibited by road signs
2. You signal before the start
3. There is enough space to complete the u-turn
4. There is no vehicles, pedestrians, yard workers, and objects through its perimeter
5. You are very well aware of the trailer swing
6. You have enough time to adjust 
7. You realize the blind spots are changing through the maneuver.

Avoiding u-turns

Good planning helps to avoid u-turns. Looking at the map in advance will help you to find the way around without making this dangerous maneuver in the middle of the road. In other words, don’t do it just because you realized that you are going the wrong way, or the road signs came as a surprise. It is a bad judgment. There are really very few situations warranting u-turns on the streets. 

However, you might be forced to do it if there are unplanned route changes. But it can be done only within the traffic rules and with the necessary safety precautions.

Drive safe. Think through your routes. Avoid unsafe practices.