Who has the right of way at a traffic light?

[nile455]

The person turning right, or the oncoming vehicle turning left, both with green (non-arrow) lights?

I'm 99% sure I know the answer to this question, but something happened to me today that made me stop and wonder.

 

[Feralpeg]

The person turning left must always yield unless there is a left-turn arrow.

Oh, I just noticed you're from Orlando. In that case, all bets are off. Each man for himself!

 

[Mermaid02]

The person turning right, or the oncoming vehicle turning left, both with green (non-arrow) lights?

I'm 99% sure I know the answer to this question, but something happened to me today that made me stop and wonder.

If I understand correctly- and I'm kind of confused (having a hard time picturing it) right hand turn has the right of way...

 

[nile455]

The person turning left must always yield unless there is a left-turn arrow.

Thank you. This is what I thought. But earlier today, I sat there waiting to turn right because about 7-8 cars kept turning left and I had to wait for them. Maybe it was monkey see monkey do, and everyone was following the person ahead of them. Shame that so many people don't know the rules of the road.

 

[Feralpeg]

Thank you. This is what I thought. But earlier today, I sat there waiting to turn right because about 7-8 cars kept turning left and I had to wait for them. Maybe it was monkey see monkey do, and everyone was following the person ahead of them. Shame that so many people don't know the rules of the road.

This happens all the time in Orlando. It makes me wonder where these folks learned to drive or, maybe we just have more rude drivers here. It drives me nuts as well.

 

[MushyMushy]

It's always right turn has the right of way, but I've noticed that at certain intersections in my town, like where the people turning left are coming off a busier street than the ones turning right, they'll all go first like they have the right.

 

[pixiegoose]

I agree with the previous posters that yes, right turn on green trumps left turn on green (no arrow). Now if only they would teach that to drivers up here.....

 

[Feralpeg]

It doesn't seem to be about what is right or wrong anymore. There are more and more rude and aggressive drivers now.

Today I was at a parking lot. I was waiting for some people to get in their car and back out so that I could have their space. They were parked on the end of the horizontal row at the back of the lot. I had pulled up the last row so I was behind them aways. I had stayed back far enough so that they would have room to back out and leave. Once they left, I would have been able to pull straight into their space.

While they were finishing getting in their car, another car came along the horizontal row at a right angle to my row. The guy turned the corner and pulled directly in front of me to block my access to the space. The car leaving couldn't even back out because the guy was there. I leaned out to tell him that I had been waiting for the space. He simply replied "Too bad. I've got it now." The only thing I could do was to pull around him and leave. Once I moved, he pulled up far enough for the car to back out and then, he backed into the space I had patiently waited for. He was so rude. I just don't understand people anymore.

 

[denisenh]

yes...i find that i tend to do whatever is safest (even if i should have the right of way)....in other words, green may mean "go" but if i have to yeild to a red light runner to save my life (and my passengers) i will.

thank goodness there are people like me (and others) who watch out for the ding a lings out there that appear to believe that they are above the social mores and/or above the law ..... and they think they're all that and a bag of fat .....phooey on them and the horse they rode in on

 

[JR6ooo4]

But... if when you turn right there are two lanes available it should be possible for both to turn at the same time legally. Since you, turning right must turn in the the righ most lane. and the person turning left into the same direction as you, must turn into the most left lane.

which would be no problem........ in a perfect world filled with perfect drivers.


if there is only one lane then the right turn has the right of way.


Mikeeee

*above statements are all based on my knowledge of Illinois driving laws.

 

[twinklebug]

Thank you. This is what I thought. But earlier today, I sat there waiting to turn right because about 7-8 cars kept turning left and I had to wait for them. Maybe it was monkey see monkey do, and everyone was following the person ahead of them. Shame that so many people don't know the rules of the road.

Oh they know the rules. I blame cell phones... not so much for the distraction they cause while driving (which I think they do) but because we're in a society of instant gratification (brought on by technology such as the cell phone). Those people wanted to turn left, they saw you were giving way and so they took advantage of you.

You did the right thing though - 'tis better to wait for the bad drivers to pass and keep them in your sights than to have them behind you wondering when/if they'll become distracted and rear-end you.

 

[maddhatir]

Person making a right!

I like this question b/c I had this happen to me a few years ago. I was minding my own business making my right and this woman in the opposing traffic, started making a left, and wanted to get in the right lane that I just turned into!

She gave me the finger!! Well! Just so HAPPENS we BOTH are going into the same grocery store!!!!

I can't let that go! So, I see her go in first. I then followed her in and approached her in the produce section. I just stared at her and very politley is said......."Yes, hi, excuse me?? UM- driving 101- person making the right HAS THE RIGHT OF WAY!!!!" and I just walked away.

As I was walking away- she said "B$#CH!"

 

[chell]

My sister just had an issue with this the other day. She was stuck at a traffic light because people wouldn't slow down who were turning left. She patiently waited to make her right turn. I was frustrated for her knowing she had the right of way. Too many people are so rude and only care for themselves.

Maddhatir that was a good one!

Feralpeg recently I was waiting for a handicap parking space because I was feeling particularly terrible that day and the parking lot was terrible. I had to run into WalMart (which is a location I HATE to go in anyway - too crowded and too many rude people) for a few items. As I was waiting for the car to pull out I had my turn signal on and waited patiently but didn't have my handicap placard up, so I guess the little old lady with her (possible) grandson who came up behind me thought I shouldn't be taking that spot. Once the spot was clear she tried to come around me and take the spot. NO! I wasn't about to let that happen. I didn't feel good and I was irritable because I had to go in that store. Her grandson (?) was calling me names and being rude. I honestly did nothing wrong! After I got out of my car he was still staring at me. By then I had my placard in place. I'm usually quiet but I had enough. I looked at him and yelled "Do you have a problem with me?" He didn't so I told him he needed to mind his own business and leave me alone. I couldn't believe that little old lady would try to pull that and encourage such behavior with the child, who was maybe 12 or 13.

 

[denisenh]

i really try to....well, i don't even have to try anymore..... take the high road in situations like above.

i am always reminding my DH that getting from point A to point B isn't a "contest" with other drivers. if someone wants to suddenly pull in front of another, let them...don't try to "teach them a lesson" by doing the same in return or showing that they've got the best of you by flipping the bird.

anyway, i just don't feel that i should make someone else's apparent problem MY problem and I certainly don't think that my 30 second interaction with an annoying "nothing-to-me-person" is going to change them so why even get into it.

unfortunately, its part of life these days.... and you wouldn't believe what the chemicals released by your body when you get all upset about stuff like this does to you. Nothing good, to say the least.

BTW, whatever happened to that "a little courtesy won't kill you" ad campaign.... of many years ago. Maybe its time for that again.

 

[C.Ann]

The way some people drive these days? Whoever darts out there first.. The new "rule" is that "rules are to be broken and only apply to others"..

 

[Imzadi]

Oncoming traffic NEVER has right of way. Traffic following naturally unobstructed along with traffic always has right of way. The very fact that oncoming traffic holds up traffic, has to possibly wait for a SAFE, opportune time so as not to create a hazard, always means they do NOT have right of way. The law is created to make potentially hazarous situations wait for a safe time to cross in front of oncoming traffic.

This happens all the time in Orlando.

It's always right turn has the right of way, but I've noticed that at certain intersections in my town, like where the people turning left are coming off a busier street than the ones turning right, they'll all go first like they have the right.

Yes, it's like this in CA, too. The first time I rented a car there, they told me very specifically, "Never, NEVER, go immediately when the light turns green. Wait 5-6 seconds after the light turns green before you go. You will see several cars zip in front of you, making a left turn, even after their light has turned red." If they hadn't have told me this, I would have gotten into an accident my first day there.

The city should put green arrow lights at major, busy intersections, but they don't. If you are new to driving there, you can literally sit through 3-4 cycles of the light while waiting for a lull in busy traffic, to make the turn. Seasoned drivers there have just learned to turn as soon as the light turns red and oncoming traffic stops, and 3-4 cars behind follow like a train. They hope to make it through before the other traffic starts.

When you live there, you know to expect this. When you're a tourist, your life is in your hands at an intersection.

 

[vegasnative]

The 4-way stop people irk me. Those same ding dongs that don't understand that if they are turning left at a green traffic light (no arrow) they must yield to oncoming traffic (hence the person making the right turn has right of way). I HATE it when you are at a 4-way stop and the person opposite you turns left in front of you. If you are turning left at a 4-way stop you are supposed to turn BEHIND the person going straight people! The people that wave you on when you are turning left at a 4-stop are just as annoying, I know your trying to be nice, but if you just GO I can legally go behind you, I'm not supposed to turn in front of you. Ok, see now you got me all riled up!

 

[Imzadi]

The people that wave you on when you are turning left at a 4-stop are just as annoying, I know your trying to be nice, but if you just GO I can legally go behind you, I'm not supposed to turn in front of you. Ok, see now you got me all riled up!

See, to me, I have always thought the people that wave you on are trying to head off an accident. many people at 4-way stops are morons. If I can see you clearly in front of me in my windshield, and have waved you on, I KNOW you will definitely be turning in front of me and I can wait.

None of this inching forward, stopping, inching forward that some of the left turners do. Every time they inch forward, you end up stopping. You KNOW their foot is not on the brake. They could just decide to gun the gas & go for it, trying to get through first. OR they have have mis-interpreted your stopping and think, "Oh, you're letting me through after all. I'd better go quick." <smash!>

Just wave the hazardous situation through, wait and be done with it!

 

[denisenh]

this is what i was taught about 4 way stops...

http://www.ehow.com/how_2075341_handle-4way-stop.html

 

[twinklebug]

See, to me, I have always thought the people that wave you on are trying to head off an accident. many people at 4-way stops are morons. If I can see you clearly in front of me in my windshield, and have waved you on, I KNOW you will definitely be turning in front of me and I can wait.

If everyone can just follow the rules of the road there'd be no need to wave anyone on. What happens when you're at a 4-way, you have the right of way but wave someone else on -- then following suit, the person who should have been next after them (and didn't see that "wave" bit) tries to take their turn at the same time you go?

We're supposed to be looking at the vehicles, and following rules, not at the drivers. When waved on & it's not my turn I refuse to budge. By the insurance industry's standard methods of determining at-fault, if there's an accident and I was out of turn, it falls on me regardless of who waved whom on. The exception to this is of course police officers directing traffic. When waved on - do as they tell you to do *providing* it is safe to do so.