[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by bagboy

Maybe I misread something. But I believe that is the worst, and one of the most dangerous pieces of driving advice I have ever, ever seen, heard of, or read.

And what would that be?

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by bagboy

Maybe I misread something. But I believe that is the worst, and one of the most dangerous pieces of driving advice I have ever, ever seen, heard of, or read.

You do know that, when making a left turn on a green ball you are supposed to creep out into the intersection, not wait at the stop bar, right? Please tell me you know that.

[KathieI]

Originally Posted by Pointer

The one that I find hard to navigate is trying to make the left turn coming out of Colony onto Morse heading south. The foliage blocks the view of traffic coming down Morse towards 466A so it's hard to judge. I try to go the other way when I can and navigate a left off of 466A onto Morse which can also have an obstructed view if there is a truck in the opposite direction trying to make a left or go straight.

I agree, Pointer. Continually inching out onto Morse to assure clearance for a left turn and also watching oncoming traffic heading north on Morse is very scary, especially during busy times of the day. So, I make a right turn from Colony and go around the Hadley/Hemingway circle and proceed south. Its a minute longer but oh so much safer.

[zcaveman]

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

You do know that, when making a left turn on a green ball you are supposed to creep out into the intersection, not wait at the stop bar, right? Please tell me you know that.

Many do not. They sit at the stop bar.

Z

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by zcaveman

Many do not. They sit at the stop bar.

Yeah. That's what I was referring to as my pet peeve.

[GoHawks!]

I am going to agree with everyone and say that the accidents at this and similar intersections are due to:
1) the impatience of drivers
2) the poor driving habits of drivers
3) the poor design of the lights or the intersection itself
4) the statistical probability of accidents with the large population in TV

If you or a loved one is injured in an accident, does it really matter what the reason? That being said, why not change things up to make them as safe as possible?

[e-flyer]

You are starting to see various county's in Florida starting to install flashing yellow left hand turn signals when traffic is moving in both directions to alert you to turn with caution, and solid green for when it's your right away to turn left. Folks need to use common sense, and don't turn if you can't see a clear path. There is a lot of motorcycles driven in Florida and our tri-county area. The majority of accidents with motorcycles are from cars pulling out in front of them. Perhaps, when you reach 65 and older you should be required to take a driving class every 5 years to refresh folks memories on the both state law and how to drive safely.

[Mikeod]

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

You do know that, when making a left turn on a green ball you are supposed to creep out into the intersection, not wait at the stop bar, right? Please tell me you know that.

When there is traffic in the opposite left turn lane, the farther into the intersection you go, the less you are able to see down the other side to determine if it is safe to make your turn.

If you wait farther back, you have a better view of the lights to know when they change.

If you wait at the stop bar, you do not risk being caught in the middle of the intersection when the cross traffic starts to move.

The frequency with which people run red lights makes it dangerous to assume you can safely turn when the light turns yellow or red, much less have two or three more cars follow behind you.

If a driver is more comfortable waiting at the stop bar until they are confident it is safe to make their turn, that is what they should do. They are under no obligation to do what they are not comfortable with to expedite your journey.

[village dreamer]

people need to s-l-o-w down put the phone away and just drive, i for one don't know why people are in a rush...........to go home and watch tv????? its better to be safe than to be sorry.................right

[bagboy]

I know that that one or more cars creeping into the intersection, trying to get a better look and waiting for the light to change before making their left turn are putting themselves in a very precarious and dangerous situation. They are assuming that A, oncoming traffic will heed their yellow light and stop, and B, someone from the other direction will not time their GREEN light, proceed through and broadside those stranded in the intersection because they were too impatient to wait for the next light cycle. And by the way, in many or most, if not in all cases, those creepers into the intersection end up running a RED light. That is against the law, period. No gray areas at all. So when you decide to go ahead and creep, I pray other drivers are more aware of driving laws, and keep their families safe and far away from you car, where ever they encounter you.

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by Mikeod

When there is traffic in the opposite left turn lane, the farther into the intersection you go, the less you are able to see down the other side to determine if it is safe to make your turn.

If you wait farther back, you have a better view of the lights to know when they change...

In these wide median intersections, you can safely begin your left movement some as you creep into the intersection, increasing, not decreasing, the visibility of oncoming traffic. And of course you have to limit your advancement so you can see the signal. That still leaves plenty of room to move into the intersection.

Originally Posted by Mikeod

The frequency with which people run red lights makes it dangerous to assume you can safely turn when the light turns yellow or red, much less have two or three more cars follow behind you.

If a driver is more comfortable waiting at the stop bar until they are confident it is safe to make their turn, that is what they should do. They are under no obligation to do what they are not comfortable with to expedite your journey.

I agree a driver should do only what they are comfortable doing. But if they don't feel comfortable doing the correct things, there are other matters to consider.

You should never take your left turn without looking for approaching traffic, regardless of the status of the signal. But moving into the intersection in preparation for your left turn is the correct procedure.

[rubicon]

Driving instructions explain to students that when making a left while the light is full green vis a vis a left arrow move forward and be in a position to continue your left turn when oncoming traffic clears.

The suggestion that a left arrow light go to red instead of green is only going to back up traffic. People's errors in judgment or lack of confidence is what gets them in a fix not the traffic signals

[Polar Bear]

Originally Posted by bagboy

I know that that one or more cars creeping into the intersection, trying to get a better look and waiting for the light to change before making their left turn are putting themselves in a very precarious and dangerous situation. They are assuming that A, oncoming traffic will heed their yellow light and stop, and B, someone from the other direction will not time their GREEN light, proceed through and broadside those stranded in the intersection because they were too impatient to wait for the next light cycle. And by the way, in many or most, if not in all cases, those creepers into the intersection end up running a RED light. That is against the law, period. No gray areas at all. So when you decide to go ahead and creep, I pray other drivers are more aware of driving laws, and keep their families safe and far away from you car, where ever they encounter you.

Wow. Where to begin.

When done properly, advancing into the intersection to make a left turn on a green light does NOT put drivers at risk. They have the right of way for crying out loud. Would you hesitate to drive straight through an intersection on a green light because somebody might run the opposing red light?!?

And finally, when you have crept into the intersection while your signal is green, beyond the stop bar, and proceed to complete your left turn after the light turns red, you are fully compliant with the law. You're right on one count...there is no gray area. Not only is it safe and the correct method, it is legal!!

[dbussone]

I think the speed on drivers on 466A is also an issue. Even the dump and cement trucks drive at outrageous speeds.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Originally Posted by Polar Bear

Oohoh. Pet peeve time. Even if you want to be ultra conservative and wait for the light to turn (assuring a safe turn), you should proceed into the intersection to do it, not wait at the stop bar. Then you turn after the light changes, assuming you haven't been able to turn sooner. This also allows one or possibly even two more cars, who have also crept past the stop bar, to turn if everybody drives the intersection properly. That's the proper...and safe...way to make left turns on a green ball.

I agree 100%. many people are just inconsiderate of those around them. The other ones are the person that gets in the right lane at an intersection doesn't turn right and makes everyone behind him wait for the light and the person that stays int he left hand lane when other cars approach him from behind and he refuses to move over.

They actually finally passed a law requiring drivers in the left hand lane to move over when a car comes up behind them regardless of the speed. That means if you are traveling over the speed limit and someone comes up behind you and wants to pass, you MUST move over. I can't imagine how this will be enforced, but at least they made a common sense law.