Question: Are U-turns legal anywhere in Bellingham? I frequently see cars going east on Sunset Drive and go around the barrier between Starbucks and Jack in the Box to avoid the light. Usually there is no traffic coming west, so the coast is clear.
Answer: There are areas in Bellingham where a U-turn is legal. In the location you mention, it is not legal to go around the concrete barrier to access that section of road. The barrier was put in to stop that action. It can and should be cited by officers who see it.
Q: There is room for three parking spaces directly in front of my gate. My neighbor has been using all three for more than a year: a large truck, a truck being stored and covered by a tarp, and a portable bathroom stall.
I can barely remove the yard debris without being hit by the mirror on the truck. My guests can't get past the truck without hitting their shoulder or head. If there were to be an emergency at my house, there would be no clear access from the front.
A: I am not sure exactly where this is, or if it is on city or private property, but I would think that a phone call to the law enforcement agency with jurisdiction would be a good place to start. On city property/right of way, it would be illegal to store any of the mentioned items for a year. You could also talk with your neighbor and see if that does any good.
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DAVID WRIGHT is a retired officer from the Bellingham Police Department who is now on the Whatcom County Traffic Safety Task Force.
