Stop sign question

[Dynasty]

I was taught when turning left that I needed to yield to traffic coming from the opposing direction. This was true even if I had to wait for several cars to cross the road. It seems some people confuse an intersection with a two way stop with a four way stop intersection. I have been honked at, yelled at, and flipped off for not allowing someone to turn left in front of me. Are the laws different in the states where these people are coming from or have traffic laws changed? Please don't yell at, honk at, or flip me off. I simply want to obey the law.

[GeorgeT]

I believe you're supposed to take turns.

[Pturner]

If you do not have a stop sign, you are not supposed to yield to someone who does have a stop sign. Is that what you were asking, Dynasty, or have I misunderstood your question?

[Ooper]

I was taught when turning left that I needed to yield to traffic coming from the opposing direction. This was true even if I had to wait for several cars to cross the road. It seems some people confuse an intersection with a two way stop with a four way stop intersection. I have been honked at, yelled at, and flipped off for not allowing someone to turn left in front of me. Are the laws different in the states where these people are coming from or have traffic laws changed? Please don't yell at, honk at, or flip me off. I simply want to obey the law.

Your question is confusing... Are you turning left in front of somebody or is somebody turning left in front of you?:confused:

[Bill-n-Brillo]

I was taught when turning left that I needed to yield to traffic coming from the opposing direction. This was true even if I had to wait for several cars to cross the road. It seems some people confuse an intersection with a two way stop with a four way stop intersection. I have been honked at, yelled at, and flipped off for not allowing someone to turn left in front of me. Are the laws different in the states where these people are coming from or have traffic laws changed? Please don't yell at, honk at, or flip me off. I simply want to obey the law.

If it's a 2-way stop (stop signs for you and traffic coming at you) and the cross-traffic does not have stop signs, then I've always gone by the "whoever got to their stop sign first has the right-of-way", regardless of who is turning or not turning. Of course cross-traffic (no stop signs for them) has the constant right-of-way over both you and your opposing traffic.

But I've found that not everybody else sees it that way. Proceed with caution!

Bill :)

[skyguy79]

I was taught when turning left that I needed to yield to traffic coming from the opposing direction. This was true even if I had to wait for several cars to cross the road. It seems some people confuse an intersection with a two way stop with a four way stop intersection. I have been honked at, yelled at, and flipped off for not allowing someone to turn left in front of me. Are the laws different in the states where these people are coming from or have traffic laws changed? Please don't yell at, honk at, or flip me off. I simply want to obey the law.The following is taken directly from the Florida Drivers Handbook:

An open intersection is one without traffic control signs or signals. When you enter one, you must yield the right-of-way if:

A vehicle is already in the intersection.
You enter or cross a state highway from a secondary road.
You enter a paved road from an unpaved road.
You plan to make a left turn and a vehicle is approaching from the opposite direction.
When two cars enter an open intersection at the same time, the driver on the left must yield to the driver on the right.
Unless I'm misreading what you've asked, what I've highlighted answers your question, and those that yell, honk and flip-it need to go to a drivers safety course, read the drivers manual and/or take anger management classes. If I'm not reading it right, go to the following ref. and see if you can find an answer there.

Ref: http://www.lowestpricetrafficschool.com/handbooks/driver/en/5/14

[Dynasty]

I'll try to clarify my question. It would be easier with a diagram. East and west traffic does not have a stop sign. North and south traffic both have stop signs. After east west traffic clears does northbound and southbound traffic take turns as with a four way stop OR does a northbound or southbound vehicle wishing to turn left wait until all opposing straight bound traffic clears? I was taught the latter.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

I'll try to clarify my question. It would be easier with a diagram. East and west traffic does not have a stop sign. North and south traffic both have stop signs. After east west traffic clears does northbound and southbound traffic take turns as with a four way stop OR does a northbound or southbound vehicle wishing to turn left wait until all opposing straight bound traffic clears? I was taught the latter.

That's what I thought you were talking about in your initial post - thanks for the clarification.

I'll still stand by my earlier post: "First come, first served" when it comes to northbound and southbound traffic (in your example). Whoever got to their stop sign first will have the right-of-way (all east and west traffic has cleared). Doesn't matter whether either is turning or going straight.

Bill

[memason]

Hmmmmm..... I think the vehicle going straight would always have the right of way. I always yield to the car going straight, but I also go at the same time. As soon as they are clear of my intended turn lane, I complete the turn. Might not be the absolute "right" way, but that's what I do. I pretty much do the same thing at a 4 way stop.

I've been flipped off so many times by other drivers, I think I'm driving too defensively if I don't get the finger a couple times a week. :loco:

This thread is the very reason I love the roundabouts!

Just saying.....

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Temporary thread hijack:

Hey Mike - Your peace sign avatar is upside down...............and it's making me dizzy looking at it! :1rotfl:

Hijack over.

Bill :wave:

[billnterri]

Dynasty, what you were taught is exactly what I was taught in OH, although many, many years ago. What Skyguy79 quoted from the FL Drivers Handbook seems to support that. I've also noticed that more often than not, (Fl and OH) drivers seem to act like intersections with 2 stop signs are no different than 4 way stops. I was beginning to think the laws had changed also. Glad to see what the FL handbook says. I'm going to have to check out what the OH law is now.
Terri

[momesu]

I'll try to clarify my question. It would be easier with a diagram. East and west traffic does not have a stop sign. North and south traffic both have stop signs. After east west traffic clears does northbound and southbound traffic take turns as with a four way stop OR does a northbound or southbound vehicle wishing to turn left wait until all opposing straight bound traffic clears? I was taught the latter.

This is what I was taught both in MI and MD....though the MI teaching took place back in the dark ages.....when you are at a stop sign and when someone else is also at a stop sign it is first come first serve. No stop sign always has right of way and when no stop sign straight through always has right of way...I'm guessing this explanation is clear as mud. Of course living in Metro DC area no one pays any attention to traffic laws anyway...it's survival of the gutsiest! Driver beware etc....I've seen people turn right across two lanes of traffic when they are in the third (middle) lane on a six lane road....:loco:

[skyguy79]

Dynasty, what you were taught is exactly what I was taught in OH, although many, many years ago. What Skyguy79 quoted from the FL Drivers Handbook seems to support that. I've also noticed that more often than not, (Fl and OH) drivers seem to act like intersections with 2 stop signs are no different than 4 way stops. I was beginning to think the laws had changed also. Glad to see what the FL handbook says. I'm going to have to check out what the OH law is now.
TerriYou're right! What the handbook specfically says is that the first vehicle to stop at the stop sign has the right of way. It also indicates that if both vehicles stop at the same time, the vehicle going straight has right of way over a vehicle turning left.

[memason]

Temporary thread hijack:

Hey Mike - Your peace sign avatar is upside down...............and it's making me dizzy looking at it! :1rotfl:

Hijack over.

Bill :wave:


Sorry.... my bad!

Your eyes are getting very heavy . . .

[MrMark]

I'll try to clarify my question. It would be easier with a diagram. East and west traffic does not have a stop sign. North and south traffic both have stop signs. After east west traffic clears does northbound and southbound traffic take turns as with a four way stop OR does a northbound or southbound vehicle wishing to turn left wait until all opposing straight bound traffic clears? I was taught the latter.

Believe it's appropriate to alternate in the circumstances you describe. However, you must remember you are in The Villages where a large number of drivers seem to be oblivious to the rules of the road or simply prefer to make their own rules as they go. Now, as for the going straight or turning left issue, again you are in The Villages where a vast majority of Cars appear to have been purchased without turn signals. The few that do have them often signal left and turn right or the reverse. Then of course there are those who lull you into complacency by signaling to turn and then go straight.

[Bill-n-Brillo]

Sorry.... my bad!

Your eyes are getting very heavy . . .

But it's hard to get sleepy cuz I'm laughing so hard!!! :wave:

Bill

[skyguy79]

Believe it's appropriate to alternate in the circumstances you describe. When the OP indicated that both N & S have stop signs, what's so inappropriate about indicating "alternate." Alternate is pretty much what's going to happen naturally, be it intentionally or not; unless of course one or more parties second, third, etc. in line fails to stop for the stop sign after the vehicle in front of them proceeds into their left hand turn. I'll refer to them as bumper huggers for lack of a better way of describing them!

[skyguy79]

But it's hard to get sleepy cuz I'm laughing so hard!!! :wave:

Bill...and spitting out popcorn of course! :wave:

[Mikeod]

I think what is confusing this issue is that some states have laws where, if you stop where a stop sign exists, even if you're the third car back of the stop sign, you don't have to stop again before going through the intersection if cross traffic allows. So, in the scenario described, if the third car in line is going straight through, they probably don't think they should yield to someone turning left in front of them. Others feel you must stop at the sign, even if you're the next car/cart in line, thus setting up an alternating scenario with the other cars/carts at the stop signs.

[skyguy79]

I think what is confusing this issue is that some states have laws where, if you stop where a stop sign exists, even if you're the third car back of the stop sign, you don't have to stop again before going through the intersection if cross traffic allows. So, in the scenario described, if the third car in line is going straight through, they probably don't think they should yield to someone turning left in front of them. Others feel you must stop at the sign, even if you're the next car/cart in line, thus setting up an alternating scenario with the other cars/carts at the stop signs.I'm not about to research each state, but what you've stated (highlighted) is hard to believe and have doubts that it's not a violation of a V&T law in any state. I can't imagine a Motor Vehicle Safety Analysist any where suggesting such a provision go into law. Now can I imagine a lawmaker doing so? Well, that's a different matter! http://www.gomotes.com/emoticon/shakehead.gif Either way doing so could be a mistake... a fatal mistake!

[Halle]

I think what is confusing this issue is that some states have laws where, if you stop where a stop sign exists, even if you're the third car back of the stop sign, you don't have to stop again before going through the intersection if cross traffic allows. So, in the scenario described, if the third car in line is going straight through, they probably don't think they should yield to someone turning left in front of them. Others feel you must stop at the sign, even if you're the next car/cart in line, thus setting up an alternating scenario with the other cars/carts at the stop signs.

Wow I have never heard of this being allowed. Every state I have ever lived in you must stop at the sign when you reach the sign everytime regardless of traffic or if you stopped because you were number 10 in line.

Learn something new everyday.

[Pturner]

In a round about sort of way, this thread is great PR for the intersections in TV. Remind me to post a link to it next winter when the annual roundabout bitchin' starts making the rounds.

:gc:

[Challenger]

Wow I have never heard of this being allowed. Every state I have ever lived in you must stop at the sign when you reach the sign everytime regardless of traffic or if you stopped because you were number 10 in line.

Learn something new everyday.

I have also lived in several states where stopping was required-period. What states do otherwise-can anyone give a reference?:22yikes:

[Bill-n-Brillo]

...and spitting out popcorn of course! :wave:

Yep!! :)

In a round about sort of way, this thread is great PR for the intersections in TV. Remind me to post a link to it next winter when the annual roundabout bitchin' starts making the rounds.

"In a round about sort of way.........." Subtle humor is always great!

Bill :wave:

[Mikeod]

I have also lived in several states where stopping was required-period. What states do otherwise-can anyone give a reference?:22yikes:

This was changed in 1971, I believe, when the US DOT established the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices to make laws consistent across the US. Previously, there two different stop signs used, mostly in the New England area. One, a "through stop" sign, had the word "Thru" above the word stop on the usual octagonal, red sign. The other did not. All cars had to stop at the stop line where there was a "Thru" stop. At the other, up to three cars could proceed, if safe, having stopped once. I agree it wasn't a safe system. But someone who was licensed prior to the law being changed may still think it is correct to proceed in that manner.

[skyguy79]

This was changed in 1971, I believe, when the US DOT established the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices to make laws consistent across the US. Previously, there two different stop signs used, mostly in the New England area. One, a "through stop" sign, had the word "Thru" above the word stop on the usual octagonal, red sign. The other did not. All cars had to stop at the stop line where there was a "Thru" stop. At the other, up to three cars could proceed, if safe, having stopped once. I agree it wasn't a safe system. But someone who was licensed prior to the law being changed may still think it is correct to proceed in that manner.I'll bet that some of those licensed before 1971 that can't remember the law changed 40 years ago also have a problem remembering where their turn signal stick is today if they used it just yesterday! :oops:

BTW, I was first licensed in the State of New York in 1963 and drove through every New England state prior by 1971... except RI and CT, and I don't remember ever seeing a stop sign with with a "Thru" on it. Not saying they didn't exist, just saying I don't remember any!

[Challenger]

My wife and I were both licensed in 1956 and early on drove over much of the east coast . Never heard of the up to three drive through.