I was reading the other thread about the guy asking if he was guilty for making that turn on red. Got me to wondering about traffic laws in jurisdictions other then where I live. Specifically:- when you're trying to make a left turn and you are the first one stopped at the line, do you proceed into the intersection when the light turns green?Where I live, the rules say "yes, proceed into the intersection then turn when the way is clear".In southern USA I have seen many instances where a driver in front of me won't go into the intersection until he can make the turn. Is that the rule in the south or is it just ignorance of the drivers?

No. The turn must be a single, smooth motion. That means no stopping in the middle. While the law says you have to clear the intersection before the light turns red, most LEO won't write a citation if you start the turn before the light turned red. I believe the driving laws in most jurisdictions now are identical as part of a uniform traffic code.

Not in Ca or Az. Many States have a blinking yellow arrow for left turns. And in California as long as you're across the painted white line when the light is green, that intersection is yours no matter the color of the signal....Dennis

Around here if you don't pull into the intersection and wait for the light to start changing then go when the oncoming traffic stops, you might sit there all day. It's perfectly legal as long as you are in the intersection before the light turns yellow.B.O.

One can enter an intersection on green. Exit the intersection when it is safe.

Where we live if you could only go through the intersection in one smooth motion we would all be out of gas waiting for the opportunity.....

Left turn - proceed into intersection or not?

15 Replies

GENECOP
Explorer II
Jul 23, 2013
Where we live if you could only go through the intersection in one smooth motion we would all be out of gas waiting for the opportunity.....
dbbls
Explorer
Jul 23, 2013
One can enter an intersection on green. Exit the intersection when it is safe.
B_O__Plenty
Explorer II
Jul 23, 2013
Around here if you don't pull into the intersection and wait for the light to start changing then go when the oncoming traffic stops, you might sit there all day. It's perfectly legal as long as you are in the intersection before the light turns yellow.

B.O.
Executive45
Explorer III
Jul 23, 2013
Not in Ca or Az. Many States have a blinking yellow arrow for left turns. And in California as long as you're across the painted white line when the light is green, that intersection is yours no matter the color of the signal....Dennis
Fishinghat
Explorer II
Jul 23, 2013
No. The turn must be a single, smooth motion. That means no stopping in the middle. While the law says you have to clear the intersection before the light turns red, most LEO won't write a citation if you start the turn before the light turned red.

I believe the driving laws in most jurisdictions now are identical as part of a uniform traffic code.

Forum Discussion

Left turn - proceed into intersection or not?

15 Replies

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