A cement mixer driver shows why it’s not recommended, and often illegal, to make a U-turn in large commercial vehicles.

Prosper commuter and Redditor /u/Splash3579 shared headshaking dashcam footage from Preston Rd from earlier last week (Jan 26, 2025) showing a driver of a Bartoo cement mixer making what’s considered an illegal u-turn, causing the driver to stop approaching traffic.

Check out OP’s dashcam video embedded below with his original Reddit thread linked here.

The incident happened on a stretch of TX-289/ Preston Rd. near the intersection with Stone Creek Dr (Exact location on Google Maps linked here.)

As OP’s dashcam footage shows, he’s driving on Preston Rd. when he notices a concrete mixer owned by Mckinney-based Bartoo Ready-Mix up ahead begin to make a U-turn.

“I noticed that the truck was making the turn pretty early, and started slowing down at a pretty good distance from the truck,” OP replied to a comment clarifying what happened.

The driver in the concrete mixer doesn’t make the U-turn and is forced to stop and reverse, turning his attempt into a 3-point U-turn, instead.

Reflexively, OP honks his horn as he comes to a complete stop to avoid t-boning the truck.

“I wasn’t too mad about it, it just kind of freaked me out because I wasn’t expecting it. That’s why I reacted the way I did.”

“…I also made sure not to get in the truck’s way because I know that the driver is just doing their job…”

As the concrete mixer reversed, cars can be seen whizzing behind it.

The driver eventually completes their (illegal) u-turn, to the relief of OP and approaching traffic.

In Texas, u-turns are illegal if there are signs prohibiting U-turns, vehicles can be seen approaching from an unsafe distance, and/or your U-turn interferes with traffic with the right of way.

Although there are no signs here prohibiting U-turns, that driver arguably broke the other two rules, deeming this U-turn illegal.

Depending on what county you live in, illegal U-turns are subject to a fine of up to $240 before fees.

“That’s a super illegal turn. There’s a reason commercial-size vehicles aren’t supposed to make U-turns.,” /u/heroxoot explained.

“If you can’t complete the U-turn in one motion, and without obstructing other traffic, it’s not legal. There may be other restrictions on large vehicles, but the above still holds,” /u/Tenzipper further clarified.

“Send the footage to his employer,” /u/LokiNightmare recommended.

All drivers are responsible for safe driving, but commercial drivers must go beyond that standard. Given the size of their vehicles and the nature of their job, they have an even greater duty to exercise caution on the road

Hopefully, this driver will be reprimanded appropriately.