TITLE 21

Motor Vehicles

Operation and Equipment

CHAPTER 41. Rules of the Road

Subchapter VI. Turning and Starting and Signals on Stopping and Turning

§ 4152. Required position and method of turning at intersections.

(a) The driver of a vehicle intending to turn at an intersection shall do so as follows:

(1) Right Turns. — Both the approach for a right turn and a right turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.

(2) Left Turns on 2-Way Roadways. — At any intersection where traffic is permitted to move in both directions on each roadway entering the intersection, an approach for a left turn shall be made in that portion of the right half of the roadway nearest the center thereof and by passing to the right of such center line where it enters the intersection and, after entering the intersection, the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection to the right of the center line of the roadway being entered. Whenever practicable the left turn shall be made in that portion of the intersection to the left of the center of the intersection.

(3) Left Turns on Other Than 2-Way Roadways. — At any intersection where traffic is restricted to 1 direction on 1 or more of the roadways, the driver of a vehicle intending to turn left at any such intersection shall approach the intersection in the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of travel of such vehicle and after entering the intersection the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection, as nearly as practicable, in the left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in such direction upon the roadway being entered.

(b) Traffic-control devices may be placed within or adjacent to intersections and thereby require and direct that a different course from that specified in this section be traveled by vehicles turning at an intersection, and when traffic-control devices are so placed no driver of a vehicle shall turn a vehicle at an intersection other than as directed and required by traffic-control devices.

21 Del. C. 1953, §  4152;  54 Del. Laws, c. 160, §  157 Del. Laws, c. 670, §  13A60 Del. Laws, c. 701, §  35

§ 4153. Limitations on turning around.

(a) No vehicle shall be turned so as to proceed in the opposite direction upon any curve, or upon the approach to or near the crest of a grade, where such vehicle cannot be seen by the driver of any other vehicle approaching from either direction within 500 feet.

(b) The driver of any vehicle shall not turn such vehicle so as to proceed in the opposite direction unless such movement can be made in safety and without interfering with other traffic.

21 Del. C. 1953, §  4153;  54 Del. Laws, c. 160, §  160 Del. Laws, c. 701, §  36

§ 4154. Starting parked vehicles.

No person shall cause a vehicle to be moved which is stopped, standing or parked unless and until such movement can be made with reasonable safety.

21 Del. C. 1953, §  4154;  54 Del. Laws, c. 160, §  1

§ 4155. Turning movements and required signals.

(a) No person shall turn a vehicle at an intersection unless the vehicle is in proper position upon the roadway as required in § 4152 of this title, or turn a vehicle to enter a private road or driveway, or otherwise turn a vehicle from a direct course or move right or left upon a roadway or turn so as to proceed in an opposite direction unless and until such movement can be made with safety without interfering with other traffic. No person shall so turn any vehicle without giving an appropriate signal in the manner hereinafter provided.

(b) A signal of intention to turn or move right or left when required shall be given continuously during not less than the last 300 feet or more than 1/2 mile traveled by the vehicle before turning.

(c) No person shall stop or suddenly decrease the speed of a vehicle without first giving an appropriate signal in the manner provided herein to the driver of any vehicle immediately to the rear when there is opportunity to give such signal.

(d) The signals provided for in § 4156 of this title shall be used to indicate an intention to turn, change lanes or start from a parked position and shall not be flashed on 1 side only on a parked or disabled vehicle, or flashed as a courtesy or “do pass” signal to operators of other vehicles approaching from the rear.

21 Del. C. 1953, §  4155;  54 Del. Laws, c. 160, §  160 Del. Laws, c. 701, §  37

§ 4156. Signals by hand and arm or signal device.

(a) Any stop or turn signal when required herein shall be given either by means of the hand and arm or by a signal lamp or lamps or mechanical signal device, except as otherwise provided in subsection (b) of this section.

(b) Any motor vehicle in use on a highway shall be equipped with, and required signal shall be given by, a signal lamp or lamps or mechanical signal device when the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the left outside limit of the body, cab or load of such motor vehicle exceeds 24 inches or when the distance from the center of the top of the steering post to the rear limit of the body or load thereof exceeds 14 feet. The latter measurement shall apply to any single vehicle, also to any combination of vehicles.

21 Del. C. 1953, §  4156;  54 Del. Laws, c. 160, §  1

§ 4157. Method of giving hand and arm signals.

All signals herein required given by hand and arm shall be given from the left side of the vehicle in the following manner and such signals shall indicate as follows:

(1) Left turn. — Hand and arm extended horizontally.

(2) Right turn. — Hand and arm extended upward.

(3) Stop or decrease speed. — Hand and arm extended downward.

21 Del. C. 1953, §  4157;  54 Del. Laws, c. 160, §  166 Del. Laws, c. 167, §  170 Del. Laws, c. 384, §  1