Regarding the Dec. 28 Peninsula Daily News letter to the editor “Ponders U-turn” about the correct way to make U-turns on U.S. Highway 101, here is the information I received from the Washington Department of Transportation:
The U-turns on U.S. Highway 101 — or as WSDOT sometimes calls them “indirect lefts” — can be negotiated two ways according to Claudia Bingham Baker, department spokesperson:
“The first option, and preferred way, is for a driver to enter the left turn pocket and stop at the pocket’s stop sign.
“When opposing traffic is clear, the driver crosses the two opposing highway lanes into the half circle.
“The driver continues around the half circle to its stop sign and stops.
“When traffic is clear, the driver takes a right turn onto the highway.
“The driver is now going the opposite direction.
“The second option will only work for small vehicles like cars and pickups that have small turning radii.
“When wanting to make a U-turn, the driver can enter the left-turn pocket, pull up to the pocket’s stop sign, and stop.
“When opposing traffic is clear the driver takes a sharp left U-turn turn into the opposing lanes.
“The driver is now going the opposite direction.
“Trucks and buses cannot make this maneuver and must use the first option.”
Renate Melvey
Sequim