In areas where there isn’t a dedicated U-turn lane, you have to use the left-turn lane if you want to make a U-turn. You just have to work with what’s available since not all roads are wide enough to have a separate U-turn lane.
I used to complain about drivers in front of me making U-turns and causing me to miss the light. In some cases, it can even lead to rear-end collisions. But then I found myself doing the exact same thing…
So what’s the proper etiquette here? What do you all do? Wave? Honk? (Probably not a great idea where I live since everyone honks anyway.)
Every place is different.
Where I live you can only do them at non lighted intersections and if you can do them without having to backup.
Driving is about being predictable, a uturn is just about the least predictable thing you can do, it’s just not safe unless it’s accounted for.