Turning left at an intersection

[Joe Shlabotnik]

Why do people insist in pulling all the way into the intersection and sitting there instead of staying behind the white line in their lane? At the very least, it makes it impossible for the driver directly across from you in the oncoming left turn lane to see their oncoming traffice. At worst, you're putting yourself at high risk of getting crushed by oncoming traffic.

This is me. Because I want to get as many people through on one cycle as possible. The person coming out to turn left from the on-coming direction doesn't get in my way normally and if they do, I'll just wait for the yellow. If everyone does this, you get 3 more cars through the light cycle. At high traffic times, that can be significant.

[MrCrowesGarden]

Why do people insist in pulling all the way into the intersection and sitting there instead of staying behind the white line in their lane? At the very least, it makes it impossible for the driver directly across from you in the oncoming left turn lane to see their oncoming traffice. At worst, you're putting yourself at high risk of getting crushed by oncoming traffic.

This is me. Because I want to get as many people through on one cycle as possible. The person coming out to turn left from the on-coming direction doesn't get in my way normally and if they do, I'll just wait for the yellow. If everyone does this, you get 3 more cars through the light cycle. At high traffic times, that can be significant.

I don't think it gets any more people through the light cycle. At best, it just modifies who gets to go, and at worst, it slows down the process.

[Valpo Cardinal Fan]

I don't think it gets any more people through the light cycle. At best, it just modifies who gets to go, and at worst, it slows down the process.

I'm sure that if you talked to a traffic engineer he would tell you that it slows down the process and that if you follow the signals and obey the laws the maximum traffic flow is obtained.

[cardsfansince82]

It usually works out the same since each new group is slightly delayed from starting but a couple extra squeeze through at the end.

For my money, the ultimate dick move is when someone can clearly see traffic is already backed up all the way to the intersection across the way but they enter as it's turning red anyway and end up blocking everyone for however long it takes rather than waiting another cycle. Those people get the double barrel bird from me.

[docellis]

there are some LONG lights and if someone won't pull up a foot so I can turn right on a red, I do go ballistic. I crowd, first. Hoping they move up. Then I flash brights. Then I beep beep.

I really dislike people who could move up a few feet and let people turn right - and don't.

[stlouie_lipp]

How about the d-bags who don't turn on their turn signal until the light turns green? By my house there is a stoplight and four lanes of traffic going each way, but with no turn lanes. The right lane ends after going through the light, so it is always best to already be in the left lane. Of course, if someone is in the left lane with their turn signal on, just go to the right lane and the lane ending is a non issue.

Nothing worse than pulling up behind a car in the left lane thinking everything is cool, then after the light turns green they put on their signal and your stuck.

Along the same lines, I hate when someone whips over to the right lane of a four lane because they can't stand being second in line at the light, thereby preventing me from making a right on red. Or the two lane intersection on my way to work where it's plenty wide enough to allow people behind you room to make a right but no one ever does.

The thread is titled turning LEFT at an intersection.

I agree completely on both.

[Jocephus]

How about the d-bags who don't turn on their turn signal until the light turns green? By my house there is a stoplight and four lanes of traffic going each way, but with no turn lanes. The right lane ends after going through the light, so it is always best to already be in the left lane. Of course, if someone is in the left lane with their turn signal on, just go to the right lane and the lane ending is a non issue.

Nothing worse than pulling up behind a car in the left lane thinking everything is cool, then after the light turns green they put on their signal and your stuck.

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YES. this is one of my biggest driving gripes. it can happen on my way to work and it did today. i dont understand why people don't put the turn signal on way before approaching the light...let those behind you KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING. so [expletive] rude.

[lukethedrifter]

People in cars are dicks. And that is all of you.

[AWvsCBsteeeerike3]

The worst is when people turning right don't realize that they can turn right on red and wait for the next green light.

Then the people that clog up the intersection to avoid a red light and prohibit people from going. I always like to act as if they aren't there and slam on the brakes at the last second. It worked a lot better with my old ass beat up truck though.

Then well there's a lot of other people that suck.

[IMADreamer]

Well while we are complaining. I hate it when there is a lane closure and everyone is creeping along and someone thinks they have to get over into one of the other lanes because it might look like it's moving faster. What that does is slow up everyone in every lane, and usually the lane they left ends up passing them up anyway. In which I'm always sure to give them a glare.

Quite frankly we license too many drivers. I'd say half of the people on the road have no business driving a car. I assure you when I come to power I will stop that.