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Madison motorists will no longer have to look for these signs to know whether they can do a 180.

MADISON, Alabama – Making U-turns on most roads in Madison is now legal after the City Council did a 180 on its traffic policy.

The move was expected after the council gave the first reading for the ordinance at its previous meeting.

Previously, all U-turns in Madison were prohibited, unless a sign was posted at the crossover indicating it was allowed.

Madison City Engineer Gary Chynoweth said the law is not compliant with the state rule, which is just the opposite of the city's rule: all U-turns are allowed unless otherwise specified with a sign. The only restriction is motorists cannot make U-turns if it will obstruct traffic or is unsafe.

The change only allows the city to erect no U-turn signs on city streets. It could not post signs on U.S. 72, which already follows the state rule allowing U-turns unless noted otherwise.

Chynoweth said in June that the amendment would help some businesses, such as Logan's Roadhouse on Madison Boulevard where shoppers and diners must do a U-turn to access or leave the stores.