After getting cussed out today for being "bull**** .... wrong damnit!!" I have a question. I've been doing some research and have failed to find a concrete answer. Anyway, here's the question.....

When in a left turn lane with a solid green light, can you pull out into the middle of the intersection and sit there untill there is space to go even if the light turns red?

I was under the impression that you remain behind solid line untill there is a big enough gap and then go left. If the light turns red that's just tough luck.

The arguing side says as long as you are in the middle of the intersection you can't get nailed for running a red light because you're already out there.

Personally I think it's a dangerous move to sit out there because when the light changes you can have idiots coming at you from everywhere. You have no idea if something is gonna happen and you're stuck out there not being able to turn.

What I did find is that it seems to be legal to do this in NY. I found a driving quiz that refers to this very topic and that only one car can be out in the middle at one time. All the other info I found was insurace companies recommending you not do it because people charge out when the light changes and you could get hit.

I'm more just trying to find out the answer out of my own curiosity. If I'm right, I'll still be wrong and get cussed out again, so I'm not going there.

 

everyone around my area goes into the intersection, including me. The reason I do it is because if i can't make the left because cars are oncoming, if i hang in the intersection and wait until the light turns yellow/red for the oncoming traffic, I'll always be able to turn. The cops don't seem to mind, heck, i've seen cops do it to. I'm not sure if there is a traffic law against it, like i said I just do it because I don't want to be waiting all day to make a left. It's especially handy in high traffic areas. As far as danger, i ALWAYS look before I turn, i'm not a lemming.

Brian

 

If the light is green it is legal to pull out to the middle and wait. if it turns red, then you have to get out of the intersection. You cannot enter the interesection when the light is red.

If a car hits you when his light turns green he is at fault. You can't just ram into people because they are in your way, that is reckless driving.

 

I dont think theres a law against it. I did it in drivers ED. and didnt get yelled at for it..

 

I'm not worried about the guy in front of me, I'm worried about the guy that wants across the street at all costs just because his light is now green. There's plenty of them here in FL.

I know this is an issue that even if illegal in some areas you would never get a ticket for it unless the cop was having a bad day.

 

I have also gotten a ticket for this in Savannah, GA. I was informed by the local police that "if you are in the intersection when the light turns red, you have run a red light".

 

Look in front of you at the BIG white painted line called "The STOP Bar" This is where ALL of your vehicle (front bumper to back bumper) must stop behind. Notice also that the Stop Bars are farther back than the thiner painted pedestrian crossing lines.
Some stop bars are placed farther back than normal to allow for the other traffic to turn onto the street you are on. How many times have you seen a big Truck that can't complete their turn when some idiot has stopped PAST the stop bar?

Anyway, if your light is green, you must pull past the stop bar before turning, and sometimes you also have to stop and wait (past the stop bar) for traffic to clear, to complete your turn.
If the left lane has a blinking red, you pull past the stop bar, then stop, even if traffic is clear, then turn. (I've seen about 5 cars in a row all go one after another on a blinking red - this is wrong)
If you are not past it when the light turns yellow, you must wait till the next green light. Of course if it is yellow or red, and you are past it, you MUST complete your turn to get out of the intersection.

I see lots of accidents occur because of "Stop Bar Ignorance"
I also see many people turn right from the stop bar, and drive right over the other lanes onto the road they are entering. This is just sloppy driving, and one practive that will catch up with them sooner or later.

Example:
Me and my son were southbound, stopped completely behind the stop bar in a straight / left turn lane. A Bus was going west in front of us, and some (east bound turning north) idiot turned from behind the stop bar in his lane trying to beat the bus through the intersection. Had he pulled forward past the Stop Bar first like he should have, he would have known he couldn't make it. Anyway, the bus hit him so hard, it knocked the ladder off his van, and the van proceded to slide sideways right at us! Before I could say "Brace yourself!" the vans wheels caught, and it took off, narrowly missing us (by inches), and hitting the curb next to us.
Scared the crap out of us, but gave me the oppertunity to explain to my son why we always stop before the Stop Bar, and why, when turning left, we always pull forward past the Stop Bar.

 

You can do it as said, but in my part of the woods it is becoming such a problem, as in not 1 or 2 cars go after the light turns red, but 5 or 6 or 7 (no joke) that they are starting to install those cameras to catch people doing it.

31C

 

Sounds like detroit drivers

 

It's different in every state, but most states you run the red light if you enter the intersection after the light turns red. I was told in drivers ed that you must be through the intersection before the light turns red in Indy; however, some intersections are bigger than others. I know of an intersection that is so wide here in town that if you cross the stop line doing the speed limit exactly as the light turns yellow, you won't make it through the other side before it's red. It's a toss up. Drive safe and use your best judgement at intersections.

Oh, and the law in Indy says only 1 car can turn left through the intersection after the light turns red (if he is in the middle of the intersection already) - but like I said before, some intersections are bigger than others. 3 or 4 cars can be waiting in the middle of the intersection waiting for the light to change.

and am I the only the hates and sees no need for red left turn arrows while through traffic has a green light?

 

Not sure about New Hampshire where I am at now, but when I lived in California it is legal and it was taught in drivers education. They taught you to, while the light is green, to pull out into the intersection and keep your wheels STRAIGHT in case you got rear-ended you did not get pushed into the path of oncoming traffic.

If you were in the intersection and THEN the light turned red you had the right of way and cross traffic HAS to wait until you move through the intersection. As someone else mentioned even if it is illegal to be in the intersection while the light is green then some moron from cross traffic decides to hit you when your light is red then the moron gets his *** sued big time…

It all depends on the state so you need to check with your local DMV to see what the law is in your state...

 

I think the rule of thumb is that you should only enter the intersection if you can do so safely, without interfering with the right-of-way and you can complete the turn.

 

I'm not sure what the rule is in NJ.

But I will say in many places around me, if you do not sit in the middle of the road and make your left turn when the light goes red, YOU WILL NEVER GET A CHANCE TO GO.

 

I looked it up for you on the Los Angeles Driver's handbook:

"This may be done so long as the proper signal etiquette is followed.

Left hand dangling out of window with gun barrel pointed down toward road surface indicates you intend to Yield, somewhat.

Left arm extended out toward oncoming traffic with Glock safety off, you have Right of Way.

Glock extended as above and front passenger homey half extracted from right window with MAC coverage, all Traffic shall Yield.

In addtion to above, rear seat homey one half to two-thirds extracted from sunroof providing front/rear coverage with sawed/pump, All Traffic Stops, hands are removed from the steering wheels until you have traversed said intersection.

While proceeding thru the intersection, a tight 360 of coverage will be maintained less a rival gang should approach at the same time."

 

Leave it Kalifornia to screw up things up (especially in regards to firearms) - Glocks don't have a safety!