View Poll Results: Which is the proper way to make a left turn at an intersection:
Voters: 40. You may not vote on this poll
Proper way to make a left turn at an intersection
#13
i pull a little into the intersection and wait for A.) a break in oncoming traffic or B.) i anticipate when the oncoming traffic's light will turn yellow and go when i see it slowing up. that's how my dad taught me... it might not be text book driving, but it's worked for me.
#14
Originally Posted by s2000raj,Jan 16 2007, 01:04 AM
You have to do the second one in many instances or you will never get to make the left turn.
#17
Thread Starter
Moderator
I've heard there are a few states that actually state its illegal to enter an intersection when making a left turn, but I've never seen the documentation. I also know some driving instructors teach impressionable youth not to enter the intersection to make a left, but these are probably the same instructors that teach kids to drive in the left lane a ten under...
Regardless what you're taught, the best practice is to enter the intersection fully, and keep your wheels straight as you wait to turn left. This keeps you from getting punted into oncoming traffic is someone back-ends you, gives you the second-highest right of way, and makes your visible to surrounding drivers.
When you're in the intersection, you have more right of way than if you are waiting to enter - perpendicular traffic must wait for you to leave before they can enter, so you only have to yield to oncoming traffic ahead of you.
Also, if there's a lot of traffic and you can't turn until the light is yellow/red, you have the right of way and there's no question you entered an intersection on a red light (as some police or traffic cameras might think).
If you're in the intersection, traffic in the perpendicular road can also see you - you're more visible to others and thus its a bit safer for everyone around. This is really beneficial when someone is going 40 mph or faster as the light turns green for them, as they will be through the intersection almost immediately - you popping out and turning in front of them as your light is turning red is a great way to cause a crash.
Also, if you're in the intersection, the car(s) behind you can also enter, so if traffic is bad, at least one-two cars can safely make lefts at the end of the green light, as opposed to cars rushing into the intersection as the light turns red.
Regardless what you're taught, the best practice is to enter the intersection fully, and keep your wheels straight as you wait to turn left. This keeps you from getting punted into oncoming traffic is someone back-ends you, gives you the second-highest right of way, and makes your visible to surrounding drivers.
When you're in the intersection, you have more right of way than if you are waiting to enter - perpendicular traffic must wait for you to leave before they can enter, so you only have to yield to oncoming traffic ahead of you.
Also, if there's a lot of traffic and you can't turn until the light is yellow/red, you have the right of way and there's no question you entered an intersection on a red light (as some police or traffic cameras might think).
If you're in the intersection, traffic in the perpendicular road can also see you - you're more visible to others and thus its a bit safer for everyone around. This is really beneficial when someone is going 40 mph or faster as the light turns green for them, as they will be through the intersection almost immediately - you popping out and turning in front of them as your light is turning red is a great way to cause a crash.
Also, if you're in the intersection, the car(s) behind you can also enter, so if traffic is bad, at least one-two cars can safely make lefts at the end of the green light, as opposed to cars rushing into the intersection as the light turns red.
#18
Registered User
Originally Posted by no_really,Jan 16 2007, 12:03 PM
where do you live that it is illegal to enter an intersection on a green?
#19
Originally Posted by Mindcore,Jan 16 2007, 12:22 AM
Pull into the intersection, don't have your wheels pointed into traffic, that way if you are rear ended, you don't go flyng into oncoming traffic
#20
If you are in city gridlock and do not enter the intersection until it is clear, you could block an entire lane of traffic unitl rush hour is over. Enter, and if you don't get through on the green, at least ONE car per green can turn.