Intersection blockers

[Swirls]

That [expletive] was terrible in Columbia, SC. All of the busy/congested intersections had signs next to the stoplight that said, "DO NOT BLOCK INTERSECTION." Nobody gave two [expletive], and you'd have 3 cars blocking the intersection. Even worse is when one of them is trying to make a left turn, so now they're stuck in that stupid angle position and actually taking up multiple lanes.

[Molly]

I'm picturing it as stop-and-go traffic going through a light. You proceed while the light is green, but traffic moves so slow that you can't move any further than the intersection by the time the light turns red. Leaving you blocking the intersection. So then people trying to turn in to your lane can't even move their car out into the intersection, because you're blocking it.

This. And if you realize the light will more than likely change to red don't enter the intersection. And risk getting honked at for stopping at a green light

[IMADreamer]

also: left lane fillers

Yes, the left lane is for over taking. Get out of the left lane damn it. Going down 61 to St. Louis is the worst. Apparently they just don't teach proper lane usage in Missouri.

[MrSaigon]

You know who enters an intersection whether or not they can clear it? Californians. There used to be less Cali license plates than Oregon license plates here. Those were the days.

[lukethedrifter]

Those are some pretty good rants, however I'm referring to the jerks that are lining up for a red light yet block access in and out of sidestreets, despite signage and common courtesy and even sometimes vehicles with turn signals operating

[jim]

I'm picturing it as stop-and-go traffic going through a light. You proceed while the light is green, but traffic moves so slow that you can't move any further than the intersection by the time the light turns red. Leaving you blocking the intersection. So then people trying to turn in to your lane can't even move their car out into the intersection, because you're blocking it.

This. And if you realize the light will more than likely change to red don't enter the intersection. And risk getting honked at for stopping at a green light

I don't understand. You are saying don't enter the intersection... what? What are you saying?

[lukethedrifter]

Missouri doesn't really spell it out that well but other states do: If you have entered the intersection while the light is green you can clear the intersection after the light has changed. Of course, that doesn't mean physics and those who don't really know the law agree. A green light does not give you the right to blast someone who is clearing the intersection.
I would think that if there is no chance that you could make it through, eg you're fourth in line or stop and go like jim mentioned, then you are the dickhead for causing unnecessary traffic congestion.
Ants do this [expletive] better than we do.

/I am not a lawyer but did a fair bit of research on this after responding to repeated MVCs of this type.

[Arthur Dent]

There's actually a campaign called 'Don't Block the Box' here in Austin to ticket people for doing this, so apparently it's illegal here.

[lukethedrifter]

It's nuanced. Basically what I said above is pretty much Texas law. You can't enter the intersection behind a line of cars hoping to squeeze your left turn in. However, you can enter the intersection to make a left turn and if oncoming traffic does not allow you to make it, you are legally allowed to make your left after the light changes and traffic clears.

A car in front of me also wants to turn left, but waits outside of the intersection, hoping for a break in the oncoming traffic to make a left-turn only when it is clear. Would it be OK to enter an intersection for a left-hand turn that you can’t complete until after the light turns red?

According to the general rule, the driver seeking the left hand turn would be in violation. But there are exceptions to Section 545.302(a)(3). Subsection (f) allows a driver to stop to avoid conflicting traffic. The cars traveling in the opposite direction that prevent the left-hand turn qualify as “conflicting traffic.” The cars stopped in front of the congested intersection are not “conflicting traffic.” Thus, under Subsection (f), the driver seeking to make the left hand turn is fully within the law. He is also protected from other impatient drivers after the light changes by Section 544.007(b), which mandates that all drivers who have a green light yield to traffic already in the intersection.

When a collision occurs at an intersection, these complexities in traffic laws may be important in determining which driver bears legal responsibility for the damage and injuries that may result.

http://www.powerstaylor.com/texas-traffic-law-quiz/

[JL21]

Those are some pretty good rants, however I'm referring to the jerks that are lining up for a red light yet block access in and out of sidestreets, despite signage and common courtesy and even sometimes vehicles with turn signals operating

That's a tough one. I do my best to avoid it, but sometimes it just happens on accident. Specifically in stop and go traffic. Traffic is moving and you are so far behind the light that you can't really gauge whether or not you'll end up blocking the intersection. You end up having to make a judgment call. Like I said, I do my best to err on the side of leaving space for the side streets.

Side note: driving around DC is like being slowly digested by a snake.