How to Stop Cars From Turning Around in Your Driveway
Cars turning around in your driveway can be a frustrating and dangerous issue. It’s not only an inconvenience, but it can also damage your property and put other drivers and pedestrians at risk.
You can stop most people from turning around in your driveway by placing no turn-around signs at the end of the drive. If that’s not enough, consider purchasing a gate or physically blocking off the drive when you’re not using it.
Of course, it’s not always that easy to stop a determined driver from using your drive to do a u-turn, so we’ve put together some other great ways to get drivers to stop using your driveway to turn around. Let’s take a look!
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Here’s a Quick Pro Tip!
We’ve put together three easy ways to keep your driveway safe from random strangers turning around in it. Use one of these easy options to keep your driveway blocked off when you’re not using it.
1. Rolling Security Gate – When you leave, place this handy gate across the end of your driveway to discourage people from turning around in your driveway.
2. Orange Traffic Cones – Use these cones to physically block the driveway so people cannot use it.
3. No Turn Around Signs – Place these on either side of the driveway to discourage people from turning around there.
The Legalities of Using a Driveway
Generally speaking, there are no laws preventing people from quickly using a driveway to turn around. However, if you hang no trespassing signs around your driveway, you can argue that the drivers are breaking the law by trespassing on stated private property.
Someone charged with trespassing may find themselves hit with a Class three misdemeanor, and if the property has been damaged, they may be subject to fines, and if the intent to harm can be proven, it can even be a felony!
However, you’re highly unlikely to get these types of charges to stick if someone is innocently trying to turn around. For example, if someone is lost, or missed a turn, so they turn around in your driveway quickly and without causing damage to the driveway, you would have a very hard time proving fault.
Common Decency Rules
While you may not be able to prove that people are maliciously using your driveway, it can still be considered rude for people to use your driveway over and over again without permission.
If you notice a neighbor, or even a stranger, using your driveway to turn around daily, and you think it’s affecting your driveway or lawn, you may need to say something to them to get them to stop the behavior.
So, if they are using the driveway at the same time every day, consider waiting at the appropriate time and flagging down the driver, then ask them politely to stop using your driveway, as it’s causing an issue.
If that doesn’t work or they won’t stop, you may need to install a security camera and a sign that they are being monitored. Then, if you can get the license plate, you can press charges for trespassing.
The Best Ways to Prevent People Turning Around in Your Driveway
The best way to keep people from using your driveway to turn around is to make people think twice about it being a good, safe spot to do so. If they think it’s unsafe to turn there, odds are they will find a different space.
Additionally, it is important to make it clear that you do not want people to use it to turn around. Signage saying it’s illegal or that they’re being monitored can help prevent unwanted usage.
Another way to make your driveway seem unappealing is by minimizing the space available to turn around in. There are a number of choices for this, and which one will work best for you depend on your driveway.
Add a Gate to the Bottom of Your Driveway
Finding a way to physically block your driveway is a sure way to deter those who would like to use it to turn around. While it may not be a good idea to use spike strips or nails to prevent its usage, adding a gate can be effective.
However, if you are going to add something permanent, like a gate, be sure to check the bylaws of your town and see if you need a permit or planning permission before you build. Additionally, you may not be able to do this if you live within an HOA.
Even though local laws allow it, adding a functional gate to your driveway may seem expensive and cumbersome. Still, compared to having to repave your driveway earlier than usual, it makes sense!
Use Safety Cones to Block the Driveway
Another option to physically block your driveway, but with less permanence, is to add safety cones to the bottom of your driveway while you’re away. However, this does come with the inconvenience of having to get out of your car every time you use your driveway, as you’ll need to move the cones out of the way and back each time you leave or come home.
Fortunately, traffic cones are considerably less expensive than adding a gate, but they are still likely to get the job done. People are often less willing to pull onto a property with safety cones, as they don’t know exactly what the cones are warning of.
For example, these cones may mean that your driveway is currently being repaved or that there is damage to the driveway that may hurt their vehicle. Or, it could mean someone blocking the driveway, for example, a construction crew.
Chain the Driveway Off
If safety cones and gates aren’t your thing, you have another simple option. Using a chain to block off your driveway will also prevent most people from trying to use the driveway to turn around.
Using stanchions and chains designed to survive the outdoor elements can also effectively prevent people from accessing your driveway without adding a permanent fixture like a gate. However, similar to cones, someone who is adamant they need to use your driveway can just move them out of the way.
Don’t Forget to Put Up No Trespass Signs
In addition to having a physical barrier, it’s wise to add no trespass signs to the end of your driveway. If you are going to add security cameras, you will want a sign that states they are on camera. Otherwise, simple no-trespassing signs should be enough.
These signs, as well as any of the physical barriers listed above, are the best way to keep people from using your driveway to turn around, as they work together to deter people from accessing your driveway.
Other Driveway Issues
Unfortunately, people turning around in your driveway isn’t the only problem most people have concerning their driveways. Often, people who can’t find parking in urban areas will ‘borrow’ someone’s driveway for an easy parking spot.
Has this ever happened to you? If so, you’ve probably considered a lot of the same options we’ve listed to help keep people from turning around in your driveway. You may also want to consider parking your car at the base of the driveway to prevent people from accessing it.
However, what do you do if someone parks next to your driveway? If they’re on the street, they have the legal right to be there, as long as it’s a public parking space. Even if it’s inconvenient for you, there’s not much you can do besides asking them politely to move away.
You might also enjoy our post on Do I Need a Permit to Repave My Driveway?
Final Thoughts
Keeping people from accessing your property is sometimes, unfortunately, necessary. You may be able to speak to the person using your driveway to keep them off your property, but often, that’s not enough.
Before you report them for trespassing, consider adding a physical barricade, like a gate or traffic cones, to deter others from trying to access your driveway for a convenient turnaround spot. Don’t forget the no-turn-around signs!
