A driver in a red Pontiac Fiero performed a hazardous U-turn at a NO U-turn intersection on Newhall Drive in San Jose, California. The event, recorded by Luther’s BlackVue DR590W-2CH dash cam, occurred around 8 PM.
Newhall Dr, California: Reckless U-Turn Captured on Dash Cam
The Incident
Luther was making a protected right turn, which should have been safe and simple. However, a red Pontiac Fiero from the opposite direction made an illegal U-turn, disrupting traffic and creating a dangerous situation. The driver ignored the NO U-turn sign and made the turn anyway.
The entire event was captured by Luther’s BlackVue DR590W-2CH dash cam.
What You Should Do in This Scenario
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Stay Calm and Alert: If you see another driver making an illegal maneuver, like a U-turn at a NO U-turn intersection, remain calm. Keep your focus on the road and be prepared to react safely.
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Avoid Aggressive Reactions: Don’t try to confront or engage with the reckless driver. Instead, focus on your own driving and make sure you’re in a safe position.
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Document the Incident: If possible, use your dash cam to record the incident. This footage can be valuable for insurance claims or reporting to authorities.
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Report the Incident: If the situation seems severe or if it caused an accident, report it to local authorities. Provide them with any dash cam footage or details you have.
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5 Ways to Be a Defensive Driver
Before you get behind the wheel, get into the right mindset — be alert and, focused, and watch out for other drivers. Then:
1. Pay attention to your surroundings
Check your mirrors often and scan to see what’s happening 20 to 30 seconds ahead of you. Keep your eyes moving. If you see an aggressive driver, slow down or pull over. Always keep an eye out for walkers, runners, bikers, and pets along the road.
2. Keep your speed down
The best way to stay in control of your vehicle is to observe the speed limit. The faster you go, the harder it is to respond if someone pulls out in front of you or runs into the road. And lower your speed when the weather is bad.
3. Follow the 3-second rule to set a safe following distance
As you drive, look ahead and find a “marker,” like a sign, on the side of the road. When the car in front of you passes it, start counting from 0 to 3. If you reach the marker at the count of 3, you’re keeping a safe 3-second following distance. If not, slow down. When weather or road conditions are poor, increase the distance to 6 seconds.
4. Cut out distractions
Any activity that takes your attention away — even for a second— is a distraction. It’s dangerous and can lead to a ticket in many states. Stay focused until you reach your destination. You can put your phone away or turn on automatic replies that will tell others you’re busy driving.
5. Don’t rely on other drivers
Always be considerate of other drivers but look out for yourself. You can’t be sure that another driver will move out of your way or allow you to merge. Instead, assume other drivers might be distracted or don't see you. Think about what you would do if another car pulls out in front of you. Being prepared is key. Some drivers will run red lights or stop signs, so you need to be ready.
You can't control what other drivers do. But you can do things to lower your chances of being in a crash. This is what it means to be a defensive driver. Safe driving!
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