Left turns from side streets and parking lots

December 13, 2015 10:11 AM

I know it's not safe to make a left in front of a car that has stopped for you, or in front of backed up traffic, when entering the main road from a side street or parking lot since they are blocking your view. But that made me wonder about when there is cross hatching on the road specifically indicating to keep the intersection clear, and the backed up traffic is obeying those instructions. Will you turn left in such a situation? Or is that still unsafe? I have a hard time drawing the line between safe driving and just being a timid driver sometimes.
posted by theshire to Travel & Transportation (5 answers total)

If you can see all lanes of traffic, and your way is clear, you can make the turn. One example of this is if there's only one lane in each direction, another is if all lanes are stopped and you can clearly see that. If you can't see all lanes, then you have two choices: stay where you are, or pull out far enough that you're in front of the stopped car and can see the lane behind them (and they can see you) -- then either you'll see that it's not safe to turn, and wait until it is, or that lane will see you and stop. Marks on the road make no difference because drivers may or may not obey them. Only turn if you can see all lanes and they can see you.
posted by rabbitrabbit at 10:26 AM on December 13, 2015 [1 favorite]

Yes, if the backed-up traffic is at a stop, keeping the intersection clear, I would turn left. Bonus safety level: if you can make eye contact with the first driver(s) in the queue (depending on how many lanes it is) so you know they know you're turning.
posted by BlahLaLa at 11:09 AM on December 13, 2015

It's always an in the moment judgement call for me. If I can see the opposite direction traffic, if there's room, and if I have reasonable eye contact with at least one of the drivers - I'll give it a go. My decision tree is flexible depending on weather, how much of a hurry I'm in, and a number of other factors.
posted by toomanycurls at 12:06 PM on December 13, 2015

I only do it if there is sufficient space for me to put my car fully in the correct lane (not crookedly covering parts of two lanes.) Moreover, I insist upon not blocking the intersection myself.

But I'm one of those people who would rather make a lot of right-hand turns than any left-hand turn. I know too many folks who've gotten into accidents via left turn.
posted by SMPA at 12:16 PM on December 13, 2015

Yes, I would turn, both because of the law and because of culture.

Legal argument: Everywhere I've lived, drivers of vehicles entering an intersection are required to yield to any vehicle in the intersection. If they've stopped, and you can safely enter the intersection, they must now yield to you, and you are free to make your turn. Take care not to block the intersection yourself.

Cultural argument: I think one of the best reasons to keep an intersection clear is so that crossing traffic can proceed, or so people can make lefts at uncontrolled intersections (across busy lanes). Take advantage of it!
posted by TheNewWazoo at 8:55 PM on December 14, 2015