Turning left in Florida
 

Today, I was turning left from 466A into the Publix/gas station entrance.

As I got the green light to turn, there was a car on the other side of the road turning right. I was aiming for the right lane so I could turn into the gas station, while he was turning right from the other side.

We didn’t come close to an accident, but we both ended up pulling into the gas station parking lot to talk about it.

What frustrates me is that people who move to Florida don’t seem to understand Florida’s driving laws.

He didn't believe me because a 'cop' friend told him he had right of way and I wasn't supposed to turn into right lane.

Chapter 316 of the Florid Statute is vague and doesn't answer:

1. The driver of a vehicle intending to turn left at an intersection onto a highway, public or private roadway, or driveway must approach the intersection in the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of travel of such vehicle and must make the left turn so as to leave the intersection in a lane lawfully available to traffic moving in such direction upon the roadway being entered.

BUT:
Florida DMV handbook clarifies it.

A left turn may be completed into any lane lawfully available or safe for the desired direction of travel. Diagrams addressing the different turning situations are in the Florida drivers handbook.

--

I will not get into 'feelings', it's the law. Also, the right always yields. So, if the law was different, the right still yields.

Wonder what others have thought on this topic. How many of you knew this?

I was always taught that the left turn yields to everyone.

///obe///

I read this that you had a left turn arrow and chose to go into the far right lane, to turn into the gas station. At the same time, a car opposite you decided to turn right on red into the same lane you wanted. If I am correct, I agree with you. I never turn right on red, when the lane opposite has a green arrow.

///obe///

Well, I'm confused but I enjoy this lesson. The other driver was at a red light.

Florida Statute 316.123 governs the right of way at intersections, stating that:

When turning right, drivers must yield to other vehicles and pedestrians that are in or approaching the intersection. This law emphasizes that vehicles making a right turn should be cautious and ensure it is safe before proceeding.

Since OP said he had a green light and not a green arrow, OP should have yielded right of way to the right turning car. If he did have a green left turn arrow, OP did have right of way and the right turning vehicle should have yielded. Aside from that, when legal and safe to do so, the left turning vehicle could have turned into any lane.

If the other driver had a red light then further discussion is unnecessary. A driver turning right on red has no right of way at all. As that was not mentioned in the original post I assumed both directions had green lights.


Note: The right turning vehicle must yield because he had a red light, not because he was turning right.

If your left turn lane had a GREEN left turn light, then you had the right of way.

But if you didn't have a left turn light, OR if your left turn light was not green, then you did NOT have the right of way.

All those other laws posted in this thread only apply to lefts and rights where there is no traffic signal to specify that a person turning left may now go. When there's a traffic signal indicating a left turn, then that left turn has the right of way.

Green arrow, my bad, words matter.

The OP stated "As I got the green light to turn"...

To me (and many, if not most others in this thread), that means he had the "Green Left Turn Arrow"...

So no, the car with the green arrow had the right of way...

But it would be nice of the OP clarified their initial post...

Edit to add: The OP DID clarify. They stated "The other driver was at a red light", and that he had the Green arrow...

OP clarified he had the green arrow. Case closed. He had the right of way on his turn and could turn into either the right or left lane.
Unfortunately we do all have to drive defensively and look out for the silliness on the road at all times.

Right turns on red should never be made if there are oncoming vehicles, no matter what lane they are in.

That's how I would read it. Green Arrow means the oncoming traffic should have a Red Light and they can't move out of the spot they're in, until "it's safe to do so".

The "Stop Line" at any signalized intersection, should never have a "drive way cut" within about 100' of it, just to prevent such confusion.

Did you have turning arrow? Was traffic across from you stopped at red light? If traffic across for you had green light you have to yield (i don’t trust blinker light) If you had green arrow the traffic across for you has to yield.

He had the green arrow. The oncoming traffic had a red light.

Me?? I was taught that when making a left turn onto a roadway with two lanes you first go into the leftmost lane and then move onto the right lane when it is safe. Having said that this was the rule in NY and PA. I guess when in Rome…..

With a left turn signal, you had the right of way, but you were supposed to turn into the lane closest to you, not the outside lane.

The car turning right at a red light could legally turn, but only into the closest lane and only after yielding the right of way to oncoming traffic or people turning left with a turn signal.

Assuming you used your blinker to signal your lane shift to the right and your left turn, you had the rig(t of way.

The other driver was not using adequate caution to allow for such an event. Had there been an accident, though, a cop might have ticketed both of you. You were both careless. Second option might be ticketing the other driver.

It’s very common though illegal for someone turning left on a signal to turn into the outside land rather than the inside lane. It is also common for someone turning right at a light to do the same. I try to make sure I turn into the correct lane, but I also try to watch for someone turning right from the light, even though I have the right of way. Better to slow or yield than get into an accident.

Right can turn right AFTERstopping. They seem to forget that down here

Its a third world country down here, proven again

Not according to Florida law as stated in the original post. Florida law allows the vehicle turning left to use any "lane lawfully available to traffic moving in such direction upon the roadway being entered." Both the inside and the outside lanes are lawfully available so both the inside and the outside lanes could be used.

I always understood it to be the other way as well, that vehicles should turn into the closest lane. That seems to be a good practice, but not legally required in FL.

Inside/outside
 

This is a version of a situation the wifey and I have discussed, but with a twist - two lanes turning left via green arrow, but onto a three lane road. My logic was that the left turning lane should turn into the "inside" lane and the right turning lane should use the "outside" lane, and that neither should use the center lane, as that lane would have an ambiguous "definition" as related to the turning lanes. The wifey assured me that she had info that the right turning lane *must* turn into that center lane, as the "outside" lane was reserved for the "stop, turn right on redders". I have no idea where she got that info nor whether it was a Florida thing, but I *can* see some logic to it. I now see that you state that it is illegal to turn into that outside lane, adding credibility to her claim.

Like you, I find myself being extremely cautious in this situation if I'm in the "outside" turn lane, and I'm prepared to yield to either a "red right turner" (whilst also monitoring my rearview mirror) *or* to an inside lane turner who either might not "get" the concept *or* who may have failed to notice that there are *two* turn lanes. (I suspect that most of us have had to deal with both). As I now think about it, I believe I'll just go on past and take to making three "rights" at such junctions. :-)

I agree that the OP had the right of way but it’s important to establish eye contact with the other driver and approach the turn cautiously because factors such as sun glare, distractions or just being an unaware driver could lead to a collision.

Only if the lane clean. If somebody in intersection they have to yield. They seem to forget that down here especially in roundabouts and 4 way stops, and any other intersection.

That’s what I was taught when I first got my drivers license and a practice I always use.

You DO NOT get to choose multiple lanes to turn into with a green arrow! If you take the right lane you have just changed lanes illegally in the middle of an intersection! If you start in the far left lane you MUST stay in the far left lane through your turn. After your turn, when its safe to do so, you can then proceed into the right lane. Think about it folks, what if there were 3 or 4 lanes you could possibly turn into? Does anyone believe the person turning left with the arrow gets to pick which lane he wants? Of course not. Same rule applies here. Far left turning...far left lane exiting. Simple.

The State of FL believes this as documented in FL Statute 316.151 referenced in the original post.

If there is a single left turn lane then apparently that lane is free to choose which lane to turn into. I personally always choose the leftmost thru lane (see below) but that appears to be a "good practice" rather than the law.

If there are multiple left turn lanes then I have always seen lane markings through the turn to direct traffic into the appropriate lane.

Turning into the leftmost lane is not always the proper thing to do, particularly when from an exit lane of a highway onto the road crossing under the highway (think 75S exit onto 44E). Turning into the leftmost lane puts you into the left-turn lane to re-enter the highway going the opposite direction.

You are right for most states. But as far as I can tell, Florida appears to allow you to choose any lane!

I have seen some 4 or 5 lane roads in Orlando and I have always turned into the left most lane and then move over to the right lane. Now I can go directly into the right most lane.

The Florida law should be changed as it increases the chance of an accident. But that is good for lawyers and may be one reason (if many) our insurance is so expensive.

There should be national standards for driving.

I agree with the OP, and would add, that when turning right on red, watch out for the driver at your 3 O'Clock making a U-turn. And while making a U-turn, watch out for the driver at your 9 O'clock making the right turn on red.

In Saudi Arabia, the driver who honks the horn first has the right of way, regardless of the situation. Traffic lights and stop signs are just for decoration.

You must stay in the leftmost lane when turning left, then signal to the right lane when clear. Be safe, rather than think you’re right.

Nope.

You can safely…and legally…complete your left turn into any available through lane.

Drive defensively.

You must remain in the lane you are turning from. From your explanation you nearly hit the other car by crossing lanes. It would have been your fault.

You're spot on! If you are turning from the far left, you must stay in the far left most lane through your turn. Only after that, can you safely change lanes.

Nope...if you're turning from the far left lane, you must stay in that lane through your turn. You don't get your choice. If you hit me when I've turned right, you'll be found at fault for illegal lane change in an intersection.

Absolutely correct!!! Anyone crossing from far left to the right lane has committed an improper lane change and will be held liable if there's an accident. Just because they have the arrow, they don't get to choose which lane they want.

The above is incorrect according to FL Statute 316.151. Please post a citation that supports your claim that you must stay in the leftmost lane.

If you are turning left on a green arrow then the oncoming traffic has a red light and a right-turning vehicle must yield. If there is a collision then it is the right-turning vehicle that is at fault.

If you are turning left on a green light then the oncoming traffic also has a green light and the left-turning vehicle must yield. If there is a collision in this case then the left-turning vehicle would be at fault.

You are correct! If you're turning from the far left turn lane, you don't get your pick of lanes in the middle of a intersection/turn. You must stay in the left lane through the completion of the turn and then, when the right lane is clear, safely change lanes. Left turns with an arrow don't get their choice of lanes.

How would you know that the right turning lane has a green arrow it’s back is to you?