All states have laws that prohibit drivers from making an illegal or improper turn. Common examples of illegal or improper turns are:

• U-turns (when there is a No U-Turn sign)

• Making a right or left turn without first moving to the far right or left lane

• Making a right or left turn when there is a sign at the intersection that prohibits such turns (No Right Turn).

The penalty for making an illegal or improper turn usually includes a fine and points on your driver’s license.

As with many traffic violations, the officer issuing the citation and the prosecutor have significant discretion in determining whether there was a violation of a traffic law and whether the violation constitutes a certain offense, as defined by the state legislature in the traffic code or in a municipal ordinance.

This discretion to issue a ticket or citation and prosecute the charge against the driver is balanced by the discretion of the jury or judge in determining whether the prosecution met its burden of proof sufficient to convict the driver (for a criminal offense) or find the driver responsible (for a civil infraction, violation, or offense).

In Hawaii, traffic regulations prohibit drivers from making illegal or improper turns, aligning with common traffic laws across the United States. Illegal turns include executing a U-turn where it is explicitly prohibited by signage, turning without moving to the appropriate lane (far right for right turns, far left for left turns), and making turns where signs indicate such maneuvers are not allowed (e.g., No Right Turn signs). Violations of these regulations typically result in fines and may also lead to points being added to the driver's license, which can affect insurance rates and driving privileges. Enforcement of these laws is at the discretion of the police officer who may issue a citation. Prosecutors then decide how to proceed with the charge, and ultimately, a judge or jury determines the driver's guilt or responsibility based on whether the prosecution has met its burden of proof. The specific penalties and processes for contesting a citation can vary and may be detailed in Hawaii's state statutes and traffic codes.