Michigan Left: Michigan U-Turn Explained

Ah, the famous “Michigan left.” Also known as a “Michigan U-turn,” it is a source of curiosity (and sometimes anxiety) for visitors to the Great Lakes state.

Today, I’m going to talk about why they exist and what drivers need to be thinking about when making them.

What is a Michigan left?

A Michigan left requires a driver to either drive straight or turn right and then, complete a U-turn through a paved and dutifully marked crossover through a median instead of approaching an intersection and just turning left when traffic clears or when a traffic signal allows a driver to do so.

From there, a driver will either proceed straight-away or will be required to make one more right turn to set out on his or her desired direction.

This Michigan U-turn design is a very common feature on Michigan roads. However, it is considerably less common in other states, as visitors to Michigan and sometimes Michigan drivers visiting other states find out (sometimes by a police officer with flashing lights in the background).

What does a Michigan left turn look like?

Below is an excellent illustration of how drivers use the Michigan U-turn from the Michigan Department of Transportation’s “Using a Michigan Left” brochure:

Here is how it works:

• If a driver is approaching a divided highway from a cross street or cross road and wishes to turn left onto the divided highway (which is depicted by the green line in the image above), then in order to turn left the driver must first turn right onto the divided highway. Next, he or she will drive for a short distance and, then, use the median crossover to make a Michigan U-turn. At this point, the driver will be traveling in his or her desired direction.
• If a driver is traveling on a divided highway and wishes to turn left onto a cross street or cross road (which is depicted by the red line in the image above), then the driver must continue straight and pass the cross street/road. Next, he or she will drive for a short distance and use the median crossover to make a Michigan U-turn. After reversing direction via the median crossover, the driver will turn right onto the desired cross street or cross road.

(Source: Michigan Department of Transportation)

What is the benefit of having this Michigan U-turn as opposed to a conventional left turn?

Studies have shown that this traffic design results in both safer and quicker travel for drivers.

A North Carolina State University study found that the traffic design results in:

• An “average of 46 percent fewer reported automobile collisions . . .”
• An average of “63 percent fewer collisions that result in personal injury.”
• A 20% “overall reduction in travel time compared to similar intersections that use conventional traffic designs . . .”

(Source: NC State News, “No Left Turn: ‘Superstreet’ Traffic Design Improves Travel Time, Safety”)

Similarly, the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) reports:

“On roadways where crossovers and Michigan Lefts have been added, crashes have been reduced 30 to 60 percent overall. The greatest reductions are in rear-end and head-on crashes during left-turns (60 to 90 percent reduction) and right-angle crashes (60 percent reduction). Slight increases are noted for two other crash types. Non-left-turn rear-end crashes increase by approximately 25 percent, and fixed-object crashes increase by approximately 20 percent.”

(Source: Michigan Department of Transportation)

Can I pass or drive around another car?

Generally, no, because most Michigan U-turns are designed to be single-lane median crossovers. Only if there are specific lane markings and/or signs indicating that it is double-laned then it should be treated as so.

The MDOT explains the single- versus double-lane issue as follows:

“Unless delineated as a multi-lane crossover with pavement markings, a median crossover should be considered a single-lane crossover. While there is often enough physical width in a crossover to turn multiple passenger cars side-by-side, that width is intended to allow large trucks to turn through the crossover – not to allow cars to line up adjacent to each other. Regardless of the physical width, an unmarked median crossover should always be treated as a single-lane crossover.”

It’s important to remember this single- versus double-lane distinction when you’re driving through a Michigan left turn because failure to do so could get you a “civil infraction” ticket for “Improper lane usage” or “Improper passing,” which could result in 2 or 3 points, respectively, being put on your driver’s license. (MCL 257.642(1)(a) and (3); 257.637; 257.638; and 257.320a(1)(r) and (u))

Injured in a car accident in Michigan and need a lawyer? Call our attorneys now for a free consultation!

If you were injured in a Michigan left turn car accident, call now (800) 968-1001 for a free consultation with an experienced car accident attorney near you. There is no cost or obligation. You can also visit our contact page or use the chat feature on our website.

Michigan Auto Law is Michigan’s largest and most successful law firm that specializes exclusively in helping people who have been injured in auto accidents.

Our secret? Our attorneys deliberately handle fewer cases than other personal injury law firms.  This allows us to focus more time and attention on our cases.

Unlike other law firms, our attorneys are never too busy to promptly return phone calls and answer questions. 

We have more than 2,500 5-Star reviews that reflect this care and attention to detail.

More importantly, this client-focused approach leads to better and faster settlements for our clients. Michigan Auto Law has recovered more million-dollar settlements and trial verdicts for motor vehicle accidents than any other lawyer or law firm in Michigan. We’ve also recovered the highest ever reported truck accident and car accident settlement in the state.

Call now so we can start making a real difference for you.