Red Light
By tap0991
@tap0991 (2766)
United States
July 12, 2010 5:59pm CST
Alright every day I drive to work there is this intersection where they have 2 left turn lanes, 1 right turn lane, and on the side of the right turn lane there is a yield right turn lane. Every time I get to that intersection I stop and wait for the light to turn green because if there is a right turn signal I am under the understanding that you have to wait for the light because of the signal but none the less I get honked at sometimes and or I see the person behind me getting annoyed that I do not turn. I have been trying to ask this question and am curious at the answer. Am I right to stay stopped at the right turn signal or should I be like the other drivers and stop then turn when I can? Also if people want to turn right away shouldn't they use the yield right turn lane instead?
3 responses
@katiesueg (257)
• Italy
13 Jul 10
As far as I know, every state in the US allows right turns on red, with a few noteworthy exceptions like the city of New York, but the fact that your lane has a special turn signal leads me to suspect that you are indeed right. I would do as you, let those who want to turn right on red use the yield right turn lane. It would be great if someone who works at a DMV could answer your question. If you ever drive abroad, many countries do not allow turning right on red. In most of Europe it is illegal.
@katiesueg (257)
• Italy
13 Jul 10
I don't know what the official reasoning is, but I suspect that most European governments probably believe that allowing right turns on red would be too risky. I live in Italy and drivers push their limits here more than in the US in general. If they were allowed to turn right on red, the Italian idea of a safe distance would probably be much shorter than what an American would consider a safe distance. Drivers in France and Spain are no better, if not worse, so it probably is not a good idea to allow right turns on red.
@deserthabitant (74)
• United States
17 Jul 10
I will answer your question in reverse of how you asked it. Yes, they should use the yield right turn lane instead. Yes, you have the perogatave to stay stopped until the light changes. If you don't feel comfortable or safe turning right on red then don't. Is there a seperate signal for each right turn lane? Better safe than sorry; the fine for running a red light is $180 in Bullhead City,Arizona.
@tap0991 (2766)
• United States
17 Jul 10
Yea there are the light has a separate signal for the red light. Like there are 3 light lanes and a yield lane. the first one 2 are left lanes and the third light lane is a right turn, then the fourth is yield.
It looks like this:
VY
=right V=the split between the lanes Y=yield
