Turning left at an intersection

[StL Dan]

Why do people insist in pulling all the way into the intersection and sitting there instead of staying behind the white line in their lane? At the very least, it makes it impossible for the driver directly across from you in the oncoming left turn lane to see their oncoming traffice. At worst, you're putting yourself at high risk of getting crushed by oncoming traffic.

[stlouie_lipp]

How about the d-bags who don't turn on their turn signal until the light turns green? By my house there is a stoplight and four lanes of traffic going each way, but with no turn lanes. The right lane ends after going through the light, so it is always best to already be in the left lane. Of course, if someone is in the left lane with their turn signal on, just go to the right lane and the lane ending is a non issue.

Nothing worse than pulling up behind a car in the left lane thinking everything is cool, then after the light turns green they put on their signal and your stuck.

[Transmogrified Tiger]

IMO, pulling into the intersection is the best way to go. You get the most cars possible through the intersection, and with the exception of H2s or weirdly angled intersections, that doesn't impair your vision to the point where you can't see the oncoming traffic if you're opposite someone who's pulled into the intersection. The traffic of interest is on the driver-hand side, so if you really can't see the traffic coming, then you're okay behind the line because you're already inherently more conservative. I personally get more irritated at those who don't pull forward, because the odds of missing a light for not being able to get through fast enough far outweigh the odds I'll miss a light by not being able to see the oncoming traffic.

[cardsfansince82]

How about the d-bags who don't turn on their turn signal until the light turns green? By my house there is a stoplight and four lanes of traffic going each way, but with no turn lanes. The right lane ends after going through the light, so it is always best to already be in the left lane. Of course, if someone is in the left lane with their turn signal on, just go to the right lane and the lane ending is a non issue.

Nothing worse than pulling up behind a car in the left lane thinking everything is cool, then after the light turns green they put on their signal and your stuck.

Along the same lines, I hate when someone whips over to the right lane of a four lane because they can't stand being second in line at the light, thereby preventing me from making a right on red. Or the two lane intersection on my way to work where it's plenty wide enough to allow people behind you room to make a right but no one ever does.

[Valpo Cardinal Fan]

IMO, pulling into the intersection is the best way to go. You get the most cars possible through the intersection, and with the exception of H2s or weirdly angled intersections, that doesn't impair your vision to the point where you can't see the oncoming traffic if you're opposite someone who's pulled into the intersection. The traffic of interest is on the driver-hand side, so if you really can't see the traffic coming, then you're okay behind the line because you're already inherently more conservative. I personally get more irritated at those who don't pull forward, because the odds of missing a light for not being able to get through fast enough far outweigh the odds I'll miss a light by not being able to see the oncoming traffic.

Actually, by the letter of the law, only one vehicle is allowed in the intersection waiting for the on coming traffic to pass at a time. I looked it up in the BMV (I assume it's the same in other states) rule book because I got irritated that other drivers would sit at the line waiting for the car in front of them to turn left before heading out into the intersection. When I realized what the law said I don't get as angry about it now.

[lukethedrifter]

Pretty sure we've had rants about drivers that wouldn't pull forward for the left turn. Valpo, the rules are not the same state to state. MO's laws pretty much avoid the topic. Most that I have found say that a driver in the intersection must be allowed to clear it by the drivers who just got the green.

[The Third Man]

Along the same lines, I hate when someone whips over to the right lane of a four lane because they can't stand being second in line at the light, thereby preventing me from making a right on red. Or the two lane intersection on my way to work where it's plenty wide enough to allow people behind you room to make a right but no one ever does.

Guilty as charged. It's probably the one thing I consciously do as a driver that I know is a dick move but damn if I'm not the world's most impatient [expletive] behind the wheel of a car.

[Valpo Cardinal Fan]

Pretty sure we've had rants about drivers that wouldn't pull forward for the left turn. Valpo, the rules are not the same state to state. MO's laws pretty much avoid the topic. Most that I have found say that a driver in the intersection must be allowed to clear it by the drivers who just got the green.

You are correct.

Here's Indiana law:

http://www.in.gov/bmv/files/Drivers_Man ... pter_4.pdf

If you are facing a green light displayed without an arrow, you may turn
through an intersection as long as the intersection is clear and you yield the
right-of-way to all oncoming traffi c. Only one vehicle at a time may move
into an intersection to turn left.

Here's Missouri law:

http://dor.mo.gov/pdf/DriverGuide.pdf

A GREEN LIGHT tells you that you can go through the intersection.
However, you must first yield the right-of-way to traffic and
pedestrians who are still in the intersection.

Left Turn Signals: When turning left at a green light, there
are three types of left-turn signal phases:

1. Permissive — Vehicles are given a circular green or a
flashing yellow arrow and required to wait for an adequate
gap in the opposing traffic prior to making their turn.

2. Protected — Vehicles may turn only when they receive
a green arrow while opposing vehicles are stopped by a
red light. This type of control is commonly signed “left turn
signal.”

3. Protected/Permissive — Vehicles are given a protected
phase (green arrow), or a permissive (circular green or
flashing yellow arrow) phase, when drivers must choose an
adequate gap in opposing traffic. This type of control, when
used with a circular green, is commonly signed “left turn
yield on green”.

(There is nothing about how many cars are allowed in the intersection)



I never knew the laws were different in different states.

[cardsfansince82]

Dude can operate google like a champ.

Along the same lines, I hate when someone whips over to the right lane of a four lane because they can't stand being second in line at the light, thereby preventing me from making a right on red. Or the two lane intersection on my way to work where it's plenty wide enough to allow people behind you room to make a right but no one ever does.

Guilty as charged. It's probably the one thing I consciously do as a driver that I know is a dick move but damn if I'm not the world's most impatient [expletive] behind the wheel of a car.

I'm pretty impatient and definitely aggressive, but I try to avoid doing anything that I find myself [expletive] about other people doing.

[MrCrowesGarden]

I hate when people sit in the intersection to turn left, but maybe it's because it's never just one car here that tries to make the light-- it's always at least 3 or 4.