Right of Way
 

It seems to me that many of our residents don't understand or have forgotten the right of way rules when it comes to intersections.

Many times I have gotten to the stop sign after another car only to be waved on. Or in some instances, I have gotten to the stop sign at the same time as a car on my right and again get waved on. I think that people are doing this because they think that they are being polite, but it is actually dangerous.

When two cars approach an intersection, the one that gets their first has the right of way. If they both arrive at the same time, the one on the right should go first.

If everyone follows these simple rules driving would be much safer and less frustrating.

Now, I do have a question that possibly someone here can answer.

If two cars are approaching and intersection in opposite directions both arriving at the same time and one of them is going to make a left hand turn, which has the right of way? I'm guessing that the one going straight ahead does because when the car making the left hand turn turns, the other car is on the right.

More people need to read and understand this. Following the rules of the road, being predictable, would save a lot of problems. I don't mind waiting my turn but it frustrates me to no end to have someone "politely" sit there and wave me through - if you just follow the rules and be predictable then things would move more smoothly.

As for the left hand turn, since both cars arrived at the same time and they are opposite one another then neither would benefit from being there first or being on the right. So, let both proceed at the same time. Now it become the same as an intersection with a green light or no marking at all. In that case, the vehicle turning left needs to yield to oncoming traffic. (Not an expert, but have a lot of miles of experience)

You would be spot on with your intersection question. I also prefer that folks do not stop when on a street to let someone out of a side street...once again they are likely to think they are being considerate, but in reality they disrupt the unintended flow of traffic.

Where the cart lane is part of a roadway(like Pinellas Way)and that cart lane ends there's usually a sign that says "carts merge with vehicular traffic". For those who don't know this does not mean that those in carts have the right-of-way over the cars. So please stop pulling out in front of cars assuming they will stop/slow down for you. I have waaay to many close calls in these situations...guess who loses when cart driver doesn't yield?

That's correct, because the turning car has to cross the other's car roadway to complete their turn.

Then there the ones that don’t stop 🛑. You’re NOT in line till you stop preferable behind the stop sign. IMO 4 way stops are the worse, half don’t stop and roll through the other have stops and afraid to pull out due the AH who won’t stop at the stop sign and does the roll out into the intersections, then looks at people stopped like jerk.

I was taught that when making a left turn, you yield to everyone.

So in your example, the straight-ahead traffic proceeds, and when it is clear the other driver can make their left turn.

Unless it's raining.

Vehicle going straight has the right of way!

Sumter Sheriff gives golf car right of way over vehicles and will ticket vehicle in case of accident.

You would think it is nice when people waive you on, or especially when they stop to let a golf cart cross, but this is dangerous. Just follow the rules of the road and life will be reliably predictable, and everyone will be OK.

I don’t think I will try to prove that point , cars are far too big to challenge right of way question. I think cars have right of way always.

Another routine on Pinellas near the Morse Blvd gate— golf carts that literally jump out in front of your car 100 feet before the merge. They’re just begging to be wiped out.

Your what if situations are taking control of your life. Let go of your anxiety.

Been there. Paid the ticket.

I totally agree with most of the points made above, especially the one about complete stops at stop signs to be sure of who gets right of way. The question regarding the left turner over straight ahead is just like what happens when a light turns green, it's always the straight ahead car that has the right of way. Regarding the guy who thinks 100 feet isn't enough distance for a golf cart to merge: I think it's a shame when car drivers don't have enough foresight to see the upcoming merge and allow the cart in front of them to merge. Just like so many people on highways who don't allow enough space for on ramp mergers. It's just selfish or stupidly dangerous in my book.

Many carts at 4 way stops seem to think it’s OK to roll out behind the cart in front of them. They need 4 way stop instructions. it’s dangerous. If they are driving on a roadway, the same rules apply as a car. Blinking to merge is also a good concept. Our gate has a Village to the right. You never know where they are headed.

Now add the bike riders who I rarely ever see stop at ANY stop sign. Seems they think the road rules don’t apply to them at all. Everyone needs to be on their toes at all time knowing that is the norm.

Yes, for one car going straight. Not for the whole group behind him going straight also. And I see everyone hates the polite wave on. Well, when I have someone who looks like they cant make a decision as to stay or go, I will wave them on. Someone obviously has to make a decision for them

They stop at the roundabout to wave you on but not realizing there are cars behind them thus stopping the traffic flow. Irritating.

Of course it's not all the cars behind them. Each vehicle has to stop at the stop sign and a new right of way is established.

And Roundabouts
 

And thanks to the old goat in the brown Kia Sorento who cut me off in the outside lane yesterday on Morse. May want to undo your rectal/cranial inversion and learn to drive sometime!

Roundabouts are even worse. Traffic approaching and in roundabouts should rarely stop if executed properly. Merge is the operative word. Look up a tutorial.

Possibly you've seen this but, no. A street legal golf cart has to follow the same rules as a full size auto/truck. IF, the vehicle decided to ignore the golf cart that stole right of way and intentionally causes an accident; that's different.

Nope
 

Actually..if the cart is in Front of you he DOES have the right to pull in front. Stop trying to cut them off!!!

AND causing huge backups and quite likely, multiple accidents. Approaching a round-about a while back (very little traffic) a street legal cart with 4 people stopped and waved me through. I stopped, rolled down my window and yelled: "You never stop in the roundabout cause you have the right of way. It will cause an accident and people will be hurt." As he drove off, three of the four gave me a thumbs up. Obviously, this was the driver's first time. :)

If the driver straight ahead arriving at the four-way stop sign neglects to use his directional signal to turn left in front of you, does that mean that he has the right of way? Since few drivers use their signals, there must be some good reason.

I have said this so many times....if people would just follow regular driving rules and not stop and wave someone on, trying to be polite, things would go so much more smoothly. It's a nice gesture but dangerous. People forget that with tinted windows sometimes a person can't see them waving and have no clue what they are about to do. This can lead to confusion and accidents.

There are circumstances that I won't stop at a stop sign. But I will still look in all directions for traffic, and let the traffic pattern decide whether I stop, slow down, go through at my current pace, or try to speed up (and yes I know it's illegal, I'm just telling you WHY I do it, because I'm guessing most bike riders have similar reasons):

If I'm going uphill, and that stop sign is on the hill, it means I might need to walk my bike from that stop until I get to the crest of the hill. If it's a steep hill, that's pretty much guaranteed. Moving forward from a complete stop to go UPhill is not easy to do on a bicycle. I'm willing to do that, and I will absolutely do that if there is traffic at that intersection.

But if I approach the intersection and see clearly there's no traffic, and it's a 4-way stop, or if I see someone JUUUUST coming up toward the stop sign when I am too, I will plow through that stop sign and try to maintain my speed so I don't have to end up walking the thing.

And remember - if I do end up walking it, I have the right of way no matter who's there first.

My goal is to try and prevent a traffic jam. If I can slip through that intersection without ANYONE having to stop for me, I'll do it. Otherwise, I'll stop, and wait for EVERYONE else to go first. I'll wave them on. Because it takes me too long to move forward from that complete stop, and I don't want to hold THEM up.

I know it's against the law. But it also is a logical, practical thing to do, under those particular circumstances.

Going downhill, or on flat ground, of course I'll come to a complete stop on my bicycle. There's no reason not to. I can speed up almost as fast as the average golf cart to cross the intersection so I won't be inconveniencing anyone else.

I believe you are correct. The one going straight does, however, many do not use turn signals so good luck in that situation.

So, made up own special law that trumps Florida law?

I wish people pulling up to a stop sign would stay in their own lane and not pull up in the middle of the street, making it very tight for someone trying to turn onto that street. I see this way too often when I'm trying to make a turn the car setting in the middle of the street is an easy 6 or 7 feet from the curb.

Lol..lol had to read that twice...I like it.

Things are very different on a bicycle than on a motorized vehicle. Is that a reason to flaunt the law in a dangerous manner? No, of course not. But it's also the reason Washington is one of a growing number of states who have passed laws to allow a bicyclist to treat a Stop sign as a Yield sign...with exceptions.

I expect this trend to continue because it makes sense and is safe.

Washington State’s new bicycle “Safety Stop” law allows people biking to treat stops signs as yield signs with some exceptions. - SDOT Blog

Another sign subject. Wonder? how many drivers know what that triangular sign before walk ways with depictions of people and cross lines stand for? Someday get a cup of coffee at Starbucks and take notice. The other day, a person in a wheelchair was midway thru the intersection, when a cart, going quite fast, crossed in front of the person in the wheelchair, the person in the chair saw the cart and stopped, good thing, he would have been run down.

I believe an accident with a fatality happened there recently

Road Sense
 

Should also apply to carts ( not running across in front of the gate while the pole is going up) AND pedestrians. Walking across junctions, without looking. Yes in Florida Law (silly as it is) you do have the right of way, BUT courtesy says you have LESS chance of being hit ( and suing the driver and getting injured, with all the hassle that involves) if you just look right or left before you step off) This is HIGH SEASON for such actions.

I am certain there will be many replies. The motive for the inquiry?

First of all assuming both drivers know the rules is a reach. Assuming both drivers know the rules and will follow them is that a double reach, or an impossible dream?

Both coming to a full stop at a stop sign?

I thing the correct textbook answer the car going straight has the right of way.

I doubt anyone but me knows that if one is a mail person they always have the right of way.

In any case the proper answer is you need to do anything, that is anything to avoid an accident.

"Be on your toes all the time," that is sage advice. I drive a car, a golf cart and a bike.
When, riding a bike I do slow down at stop signs I do not stop. To explain, I bike does not get back to speed as quickly as a car or a golf cart can. You do not know who or what is driving behind you or will cross you after you stop for a stop sign. So many examples.
People in cars or golf carts who will drive around you at a stop sign.

The car going straight always has the right of way over a vehicle turning , and also over anyone making a right on red. Nothing to do with who is furthest right

NO, not just for ONE car , but for EVERY car going straight until you have an opening to safely turn left. That is THE LAW!

(I am referring to a traffic light intersection, not a 4 way stop sign)