# U-Turns Increasing **URL:** \ **Category:** Driving/Drivers\ **Created:** [July 29, 2017, 2:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/u-turns-increasing/106368 "2017-07-29T14:07:18Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ArlHtsMelissa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/arlhtsmelissa/32/22867_2.png) [@ArlHtsMelissa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ArlHtsMelissa)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 2:07pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/u-turns-increasing/106368/1 "2017-07-29T14:07:18Z")
I have been noticing vehicles making more U-turns the last couple of years. I was following Google Maps audio directions while riding on my bicycle and had to make several U-Turns. Is computer-aided navigation causing more U-Turns? ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 2:17pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/u-turns-increasing/106368/2 "2017-07-29T14:17:55Z")
Good question… Probably the GPS systems do cause more U-turns for several reasons. Some are not very good at directing you into shopping centers so a U-turn is indicated. Some people rely on these things SO much they don’t use common sense when close to their destination entering a shopping center and they miss the entry or simply follow the GPS’ instructions. > [@ArlHtsMelissa](#): > > Google Maps audio directions while riding on my bicycle and had to make several U-Turns That seems very tiring to me! Maybe take a broad look at the map directions to make sure they don’t loop back on themselves. And be sure to pick the bicycle option for directions rather than car. ---
**Author:** ![ArlHtsMelissa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/arlhtsmelissa/32/22867_2.png) [@ArlHtsMelissa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ArlHtsMelissa)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 2:21pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/u-turns-increasing/106368/3 "2017-07-29T14:21:33Z")
I used it a couple times for long trips. I am using the bike version which is labeled “(beta).” … and the directions warn “use caution.” ---
**Author:** ![Mustangman](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/mustangman/32/44130_2.png) [@Mustangman](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Mustangman)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 2:26pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/u-turns-increasing/106368/4 "2017-07-29T14:26:38Z")
Sounds like that Beta version needs a few more tweaks! My suggestion still stands, view the whole route before you leave so you don’t follow the loops it sometimes includes. ---
**Author:** ![ArlHtsMelissa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/arlhtsmelissa/32/22867_2.png) [@ArlHtsMelissa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ArlHtsMelissa)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 2:28pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/u-turns-increasing/106368/5 "2017-07-29T14:28:21Z")
Yes, I did that in a few instances and the system takes a bit of time to catch up. ---
**Author:** ![ArlHtsMelissa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/arlhtsmelissa/32/22867_2.png) [@ArlHtsMelissa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/ArlHtsMelissa)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 2:31pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/u-turns-increasing/106368/6 "2017-07-29T14:31:18Z")
GPS stands for Global Positioning System. ---
**Author:** ![jtsanders](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/c2a13f/32.png) [@jtsanders](https://community.cartalk.com/u/jtsanders)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 2:49pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/u-turns-increasing/106368/7 "2017-07-29T14:49:17Z")
GPS tells the system where you are and the software in the system uses that information to take you to a destination on the stored maps. U-turns on a bicycle are typically much easier than in a car. I’m not surprised that bicycle directions would include more u-turns. ---
**Author:** ![VDCdriver](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/vdcdriver/32/48514_2.png) [@VDCdriver](https://community.cartalk.com/u/VDCdriver)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 2:58pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/u-turns-increasing/106368/8 "2017-07-29T14:58:18Z")
A few years ago, Google Maps directed me to cross RR tracks at a spot where the crossing had been closed to traffic for…maybe…a decade. Of course, I had to make a K-turn in order to get out of that dead-end situation and seek a different RR crossing. And, just last year, Google Maps directed me into a cemetery when I was seeking a public park in a different town. 😒 ---
**Author:** ![Purebred](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/purebred/32/46796_2.png) [@Purebred](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Purebred)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2017, 10:48pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/u-turns-increasing/106368/9 "2017-07-29T22:48:48Z")
Yes check your route ahead of time. My GPS directed me down a forest service road with creek crossings. Fortunately I was driving my truck. Had I been driving my car would have been highly P.O. ---
**Author:** ![B.L.E](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/848f3c/32.png) [@B.L.E](https://community.cartalk.com/u/B.L.E)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2017, 1:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/u-turns-increasing/106368/10 "2017-07-30T01:36:47Z")
> [@jtsanders](#): > > U-turns on a bicycle are typically much easier than in a car. I’m not surprised that bicycle directions would include more u-turns. I have used the bicycle mode when looking for the shortest route to somewhere instead of the fastest way there. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [July 30, 2017, 2:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/u-turns-increasing/106368/11 "2017-07-30T02:21:21Z")
U turn required in new highway design for us > **[drivinganrci.pdf](https://www.dot.state.mn.us/roadwork/rci/docs/drivinganrci.pdf)** > > 87.83 KB