Left turns on a highway when you don't have a RED Light

Mon, 08/03/2009 - 7:56pm
By: jackyldo

To all those who stop behind the white line in the left turn lane when the green arrow disappears and there is a green light,,,

The law allows you to MOVE INTO THE INTERSECTION, your wheels straight ahead AND TO proceed with your left turn when IT IS SAFE to do so.

When the green arrow disappears IF IT IS NOT REPLACED WITH A RED ARROW - you don't have to stop behind the line and those horns you a hear are from those behind you who know what the law is.

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The 5-0's picture
Submitted by The 5-0 on Mon, 08/31/2009 - 4:39pm.

You can't block an intersection.

Don't pull forward into the intersection unless you see an opening up ahead and the light is still green.

If you are stuck in the intersection when the light turns red, and you turn anyway, that's considered running a red light.

Don't do it.


Buck's picture
Submitted by Buck on Tue, 09/01/2009 - 12:38pm.

The law does allow you to take the intersection absent a red arrow. Once you've taken the intersection one can make your turn when it is safe to do so regardless of the color of the light.

supid is is supid dos


Submitted by Insayn on Tue, 09/01/2009 - 1:33pm.

GA CODE 40-6-205. Obstructing intersection

No driver shall enter an intersection unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the intersection to accommodate the vehicle he is operating without obstructing the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians, notwithstanding any traffic-control signal indication to proceed.

You can not enter the intersection, even if the light is a green circle, unless you have room to proceed through the intersection. That being said: if you enter the intersection when the light is a green circle, you have an obligation to clear the intersection, but you CAN be charged with failing to comply with traffic control device (depending on the circumstances) or obstructing an intersection.

to clarify further: if your still hanging out in the middle of the intersection after the light changes you can be charged with obstructing an intersection because it was not clear for you to proceed into the intersection in the first place regardless of the green light.

same goes for those who pull out into the middle of an uncontrolled intersection(no light) and hang out between the median and the road.

Submitted by Spyglass on Tue, 09/01/2009 - 2:24pm.

the blocking of an intersection, ie not being able to complete the turn due to traffic backed up to the intersection going in the same direction you are trying to turn....at least that is the way I read it.

I've NEVER seen a person ticketed for filling an intersection, then turning when the light went red...COP CARS do it all the time. Obviously, a red arrow would make this illegal..

Submitted by Insayn on Tue, 09/01/2009 - 5:06pm.

"COP CARS do it all the time"

So does everyone else on the planet, that's why you don't see to many tickets for it.

Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Tue, 09/01/2009 - 1:51pm.

I suspect not very many are cited for this. Another VC not cited is
40-8-6. It states that it's unlawful to alter the suspension system of any private passenger motor vehicle which may be operated on any public street or highway more than two inches above or below the factory recommendation for any such vehicle. When was the last time anyone got cited for that?

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Submitted by Insayn on Tue, 09/01/2009 - 1:56pm.

Most people dont know that your required to stop every time you leave a private road and entering a public one. That means you technically have to stop every time pull out of your driveway.

I suspect there are lots of laws people dont know, or there wouldnt be so many people on here complaining

Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Tue, 09/01/2009 - 2:00pm.

in Fayetteville and the green light at the SR 92/85 intersection says you can go.
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Submitted by Insayn on Tue, 09/01/2009 - 2:04pm.

True that is.

carbonunit52's picture
Submitted by carbonunit52 on Sun, 08/09/2009 - 3:23pm.

that your horn will operate my vehicle. I will handle intersection situations according to my own judgment.

It's not easy being the carbonunit


Submitted by BMF on Fri, 08/07/2009 - 8:25am.

You said it yourself. The law allows you to block an intersection. Drivers aren't required to. It is their decision. You've got no right to honk.

OCGA specifies that a driver may block an intersection provided they are able to safely clear the intersection after the traffic light turns red. Unless you can guarantee that you won't be blocking the intersection, you shouldn't enter it while waiting to turn left on a green light. There are many, many intersections where you just can't make that call with certainty.

There are many drivers who aren't comfortable blocking an intersection due to the lunatics running the red light coming the other way who keep you in the intersection longer than necessary. Just as bad are perpendicular drivers who enter the intersection before it clears. Let's not forget drivers who think it is okay for multiple cars to block the intersection at the same time.

My advice to you is to chill out. You're not being held up. Drivers may still safely make a left turn on green if it is clear to do so whether they block the intersection or not. The only way you're being held up is if you're one of those people who think it is okay for multiple cars to block the intersection simultaneously.

Submitted by Bonkers on Fri, 08/07/2009 - 10:49am.

You know if this stuff is this complicated something is wrong!

My understanding is that there is a sign nearly everywhere to tell one what to do! If you don't have a squaller and a light on your car read the signs.

If there isn't, take the time to let the other fellow go.

zoes's picture
Submitted by zoes on Tue, 08/04/2009 - 10:20am.

working with my memory - the drivers manual called it 'filling the box'.

ZoeS

"Never love anything that can't love you back."


Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Wed, 08/05/2009 - 7:51pm.

why some right hand turn pockets have "Yeild" signs and others don't? There is no consistency.
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Submitted by Hey on Thu, 08/06/2009 - 7:40am.

I've noticed that too. It just doesn't make any sense to me.
I always thought that if you're making a right hand turn and someone from the opposite direction is turning left at the same time, the person turning left had to wait for the person turning right. I thought that yeild signs were for turning right, into traffic, such as from Peachtree Pkwy. onto Hwy 74., but I've noticed yeild signs randomly placed, just for making a right hand turn, and as you stated, there is no consistency.

1and1isnt3's picture
Submitted by 1and1isnt3 on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 3:47pm.

If a yield sign is at an intersection with a traffic light, you must yield to the oncoming traffic turning left.
If there is no solid white line on the pavement or if there is a line of triangles you may make your turn without stopping when the signal is red.
If there is a solid white line you must stop before turning right on red, despite the conflicting yield sign.

Clear as mud?


Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Thu, 08/27/2009 - 4:18pm.

We are referring to uncontrolled intersections.
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Submitted by Insayn on Tue, 09/01/2009 - 1:38pm.

My guess its a safety thing that has no rhyme or reason. The law states in a nutshell: If your have a yield sign, you must yield regardless if you would normally have the right away or not.

I think its stupid too.

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