Hazelwood Considering New 'No U-Turn' Signs on North Lindbergh

The City of Hazelwood will more likely than not soon have three additional intersections on North Lindbergh where making a U-turn is illegal.

Hazelwood City Council heard first reading of a bill that would add three additional "No U-turn" intersections on its strip of Lindbergh.

Hazelwood City Manager Edwin Carlstrom made the recommendation and said there is a need for the signs since the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) created a new intersection at the off-ramp of eastbound I-270 and North Lindbergh last year.

"It's created an opportunity for U-turns North and South of that intersection so we are recommending council approve signs for those two places (both sides of the light)," he said.

Carlstrom is also recommending "No U-turn" signs at two additional intersections on Lindbergh Boulevard.

"In reviewing information on that intersection we came up with two more places that need to be addressed and that are being recommended by the (" he said. "There is a need North and South Lindbergh at Elm Grove Lane and James S. McDonnell in all directions.

"I'm recommending council approved this to make those movements illegal," Carlstrom said.

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According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, less than one percent of fatal traffic crashes occur when a vehicle makes a U-turn. Still, U-turn accidents kill more than 100 people a year, which is a very small percentage.

Missouri statute 304.341, which governs turns at intersections in the state of Missouri states U-turns are only permissible if the U-turn can be made in safety and without interfering with other traffic. The statute also prohibits U-turns on any curve in the roadway, or where they may create a traffic hazard.

Drivers also cannot attempt a U-turn in any part of the roadway on which the vehicle cannot be seen other drivers for three hundred feet in any direction.

The measure would be up for a final vote at council's March 6 meeting.