Traffic Law/Etiquette Question

[Maleficent13]

So today I was pulling out of a parking lot, making a right hand turn.

Directly across from me, pulling out of another parking lot, is a car wanting to make a left hand turn.

So once we have both made our turns we will be going the same direction.

Traffic is pretty busy, and we are sitting there for awhile waiting. Finally, it lets up and I make my right turn.

Other car makes his left turn, right on top of me, slams on the brakes and lays on the horn. There were probably obscene gestures made, but I didn't look.

Now, I was under the impression that straight going traffic and right turning traffic had the right of way over left turning traffic. I am sure I learned this in traffic school. But that's been a long time ago, and I can't be 100% sure. But this is the way I have always driven. I wait to make my lefts until all oncoming traffic has gone.

Who was wrong...me or him?

 

[Quackmore]

So today I was pulling out of a parking lot, making a right hand turn.

Directly across from me, pulling out of another parking lot, is a car wanting to make a left hand turn.

So once we have both made our turns we will be going the same direction.

Traffic is pretty busy, and we are sitting there for awhile waiting. Finally, it lets up and I make my right turn.

Other car makes his left turn, right on top of me, slams on the brakes and lays on the horn. There were probably obscene gestures made, but I didn't look.

Now, I was under the impression that straight going traffic and right turning traffic had the right of way over left turning traffic. I am sure I learned this in traffic school. But that's been a long time ago, and I can't be 100% sure. But this is the way I have always driven. I wait to make my lefts until all oncoming traffic has gone.

Who was wrong...me or him?

I would say you were right.

 

[BunsenH]

It's been over 30 years since I was in driving school, but I seem to remember that "a left turning vehicle NEVER has the right of way in any situation".

 

[Poohgirl]

This saying "A left turn is a yield turn" was embedded into my brain from driving class. I may not remember much from 17years ago but that has stuck. I think you are right.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

You had the right of way. If a 4-way stop and he got there first...he would have the right of way.

But in your case--depending on the highway and situation...you most likely have the right of way.

 

[Minnie824]

Nobody obeys those rules and it SO annoys me....but, were you there first? I think if 2 people are going the same direction, coming from different directions, it may be who was there first, but I don't know if thats just my rule or a rule in general. We have people who turn out in front of us constantly...if you're turning left into the mall road, and they're coming from there turning left (so they'd be in front/back of you) they think they have the right to cut you off and turn. Almost daily we go this way and theres someone like that, so now I just wait til the last minute to turn my signal on and get in the turning lane so they can't cut me off.

 

[monarchsfan16]

I was in drivers ed only 3 years ago. You are right, technically, but of course nobody really cares anymore. Right turning traffic has the right of way. The who got there first thing really only counts if you're not waiting forever like in the description you gave. That's more at a stop sign if I remember correctly. The other driver definitely did not have the right of way.

 

[Bob Slydell]

Legally, you had the right away. Etiquette-wise, if the other driver was there before you pulled up and you both could make the turn safely, you often let the other car go and then follow behind them. You're under no obligation to do so, however.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

The person to your right always has the right of way, when it comes down to it. Even if you get there first and even if they do not use a signal.

At least according to the police when I had my accident.

4 way stop. I was turning left, the person to my left was turning left or going straight. That person was applying makeup and drove right into my BIG SUBURBAN as I was turning.

Since she was to my left I had the right of way no matter what.

 

[NMAmy]

I'm pretty sure you were correct, Mal. However, since so few people actually FOLLOW the rules, I tend to wait to go till everyone has made their turns before going myself or, if the other person is turning left, I'll go when it's impossible for them to turn but it's clear for me. I'm so pessimistic, I never believe that other drivers will do the right thing--then when someone does, I'm pleasantly surprised!

 

[Maleficent13]

I have absolutely no idea who was waiting longer. It was raining and there was a ton of traffic. I do know that we both sat there for at least 2-3 minutes while we waited for a break in the traffic flow. There was plenty of time for us both to turn when the break did come; that's why I didn't understand all the drama.

But I am glad to know I'm not crazy. Or at least, that my craziness does not extend to traffic rules.

 

[mickeyfan2]

You are right. Left turns yield to everybody.

 

[puffkin]

Mal, in this situation, you were right.

I wouldn't be surprised if an accident did occur, the other driver probably would of been cited.

 

[Arielle22]

I was taught that in situations such as yours, if you have to cross a lane of traffic, that lane has the right of way.

So if your situations were reversed, the other car would have had the right of way.

This happens every morning to me when I am taking a right turn on the green light and oncoming traffic tries to cut me off. It is a heavy traffic area and no one wants to wait.

 

[Kahana-ri]

You are right. Left turns yield to everybody.

I completely agree that left hand turns always have to yield. Unless you drive in Rhode Island where everyone seems to think left hand turns have the right-away Rhode Island drivers will literally cut off traffic to make left hand turns, blocking traffic until upcoming traffic stops for them. Even at lights, left hand turning people tend to get upset if you don't let them go first? RI drivers don't even use the center lane to make left hand turns! I learned to drive in CA, it has taken some time to get use to drivers here.