question for all the drivers

[LeeBarlow]

first time driving in orlando in a couple of weeks and just wondered
as I hear most mistakes occur when turning left on crossroads.

Do the lights at most crossroads have filter arrow for left turn ? that stops all other traffic ?

I hear that left arrow stops all traffic and solid green light is a give way type affair....just getting a little mixed up from what I've read.

what ever happens I'm gonna take everything very carefully and avoid the interstate till later in the holiday.

thanks

Lee

 

[GarryK]

Lee

Yes, most, if not all traffic-light controlled crossroads have green filter arrows for turning left and you only turn left when they are on. When the solid green is on for cars to go straight on your lane is generally controlled by a red filter stopping you in your tracks. Means you don't have to worry about the give-way situation.

I'm racking my brain here trying to make sure I haven't given you duff info but I can't honestly recall any major traffic-light controlled crossroads in the LBV/I-Drive/US192 area that doesn't work in this manner (and that's after driving on 4 trips).

Garry

 

[basas]

Not sure I fully understand what you're saying...but it works like this:

If there are simply, for example, regular lights with three circles (Red/Yellow/Green) and you are turning left, you must go into the center of the intersection on green, and turn when safe (no oncoming cars).

Or

There will be a designated turning light (featuring a red/yellow/green arrow) where you can only go on a green arrow, but red arrow means you must wait.

Or

There will be a 5-light configuration (I think Florida has it in the shape of a doghouse, some have all 5 lined up), where there is a green and yellow arrow meaning you have the right of way to turn, and then a solid green which means you must yield to oncoming traffic (the same way you would without a designated turning arrow).

It gets a little confusing because each state does their lights in a slightly different manner. Up here in Manitoba (and North Dakota) we don't have red/yellow/green arrows, but we do have designated turning lights (they're just circles however) so you have to be able to tell the difference. Right around my house is also the world's dumbest traffic light. When the light is red, you stop, when its red with a left arrow, you can turn left, and when its red with a straight arrow, you go. It's fun to watch tourists come up to a light thats both red, with a straight arrow at the same time and not have a clue what to do!

 

[rpbert1]

have only been last year for the 1st time, so not really in a position to say, but probably like yourself was very apprehensive about driving, but like garryK says most have filter lights, bit like here , a green arrow means you can turn and most junctions have these, if not just wait, and others will not be long in letting you know if you should be going .

 

[Dimplenose]

Oh, I seem to remember that the left arrow meant you were allowed to turn but didn't necessarilary stop other traffic, therefore we had to be very careful to look right when turning left (if you know what I mean).

On the other hand we may just have encountered some very bad drivers! It was worth being over-cautious as there were so many foreign drivers in Orlando who are just as confused as we were!

Libby

 

[basas]

Oh, I seem to remember that the left arrow meant you were allowed to turn but didn't necessarilary stop other traffic, therefore we had to be very careful to look right when turning left (if you know what I mean).

On the other hand we may just have encountered some very bad drivers! It was worth being over-cautious as there were so many foreign drivers in Orlando who are just as confused as we were!

Libby

If it's a green arrow, you do have the right of way. It's only if its a solid-green that you must yield to oncoming traffic.

 

[Netty]

Lee have a look on this website, hope it helps!
http://www.kissimmee-us192.com/british/driving.htm

 

[Goofy4]

what ever happens I'm gonna take everything very carefully and avoid the interstate till later in the holiday.

The interstates (designated with an "I") have no traffic lights, so you might be better off in that regard -- although the higher speeds offer other challenges you may wish to avoid.

 

[mikki.young]

One of the reasons I like the Toll roads like the greenway is that they are far less busy than I4! I think everyone is nervous when first driving over there but it is a lot easier than driving here really - big roads, big parking spaces.

Good luck and have fun!

 

[Tron[ADS]]

Best advice I can think to give, over and above the good advice already given, is that if you are not completely sure about an upcoming junction that you want to turn left on, just go straight on, and use the next turn-in-the-road u-turn spot, which will always be pretty near, then you can return to the lights and go right, which is always a doddle.
Once youve driven around a little though, you'll quickly realise how easy it is.

 

[LeeBarlow]

thanks for the great advice folks
not too worried, just that I read somewhere that you have to give way
at left turn signals which went against what I had read previously.

but as mentioned can always use the spot further on to do a U turn
if not sure of a junction.

Lee

 

[basas]

thanks for the great advice folks
not too worried, just that I read somewhere that you have to give way
at left turn signals which went against what I had read previously.

but as mentioned can always use the spot further on to do a U turn
if not sure of a junction.

Lee

Just remember (when turning left)...green arrow means you have the right of way, regular green means you must yield to oncoming traffic.

The only time you can't turn left on a regular green is if there is a red arrow (designated turning lights), a sign saying "no left turn", or another unusual circumstance.