[sjeffries]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

I remember being taught that I must not enter an intersection until it was clear for me to proceed. It appears that is/was not correct, at least in Florida.

The problem with this is it opens the possibility that a line of cars could enter the intersection on green but not be able to proceed when the light changes thus blocking the intersection for cross traffic.

The cars that have correctly entered the intersection, past the white line, all have the right of way to make their left turn before cross traffic can move.

[Singerlady]

I am from ‘up north’. We always moved into the intersection to prepare to turn left. Don’t know about the Florida law. I should probably Google it.

[JohnnyT]

Originally Posted by Stu from NYC

Many years ago living in NYC I was taught to always pull into the intersection and proceed when clear.

I do not understand why others sit and block the turning lane

I also pull into the intersection. I was taught that many years ago in NY. Also why do people, when making a left turn with an arrow turning onto a 2 or 3 lane road turn immediately into the right lane? I was taught to always turn into the closer lane and to move right if the lane is clear.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by JohnnyT

I also pull into the intersection. I was taught that many years ago in NY. Also why do people, when making a left turn with an arrow turning onto a 2 or 3 lane road turn immediately into the right lane? I was taught to always turn into the closer lane and to move right if the lane is clear.

I think this came up in the past and Florida law allows a driver to turn into either lane. [316.151(1)(b)1]

I was also taught to use the nearest lane and I haven't seen any reason to do anything else.

[randykw]

I've been easing into the intersection for 51 yrs. Never a problem.

[randykw]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

I think you're 100% right, but I have a Traffic Engineer question. I suspect the Highway Safety Manual, allows you to consider the space from the "stop" to the center of the intersection, a queue space? (maybe 1 or 2 cars?).

What's the solution when someone gets stuck blocking the intersection, because there's not sufficient break in the traffic for him to execute the turn?

They finish their left turn when the light turns yellow (if safe) or red. Intersection is cleared.

[Heytubes]

As a former LEO in Florida, once you have control of the intersection, even if the light turns red, no violation. Keep your wheels straight to avoid a rear end head on collision. If you don’t enter the intersection if there’s heavy opposite traffic, bring a lunch.

[Chickx729]

I would avoid this whenever possible.
I have witnessed way too many drivers run through numerous yellow and especially red lights
Its simply way too dangerous in Florida. It's very common and the lack of use with turn signals would be another factor in my suggestion to avoid an accident.
Stay safe and wait until it's clear before entering the intersection.
Peggy
QUOTE=rhood;2420705]At intersections with stop lights, if I have a green light and am turning left, I nearly always pull into the intersection and continue my turn when oncoming traffic has cleared. I think the green light gives me permission to enter the intersection.
Others have said I should wait until oncoming traffic has cleared before I enter the intersection. If you choose one or the other, please tell me why you do what you do.
Is there a FL statute that covers this? Thanks[/QUOTE]

[Davonu]

Originally Posted by Heytubes

As a former LEO in Florida, once you have control of the intersection, even if the light turns red, no violation. Keep your wheels straight to avoid a rear end head on collision. If you don’t enter the intersection if there’s heavy opposite traffic, bring a lunch.

Correct. Including the lunch part. :^)

Enter the intersection on green. When the light turns yellow/red, complete your turn after the opposing traffic stops.

[margaretmattson]

Originally Posted by Laker14

Cross traffic will (should) wait for you to make the left turn before proceeding.

Important point: When you are in the intersection waiting for oncoming traffic to stop, DO NOT turn your wheel left until you make the turn. If you get rear-ended, you want to get pushed straight forward, NOT into oncoming traffic.

Also, it's dicey because oncoming traffic may run their red light, so you have to be certain that it has stopped before making your turn. Depending upon how late and egregiously the oncoming traffic runs the light, you might momentarily inconvenience the cross traffic. Not YOUR fault. That is the fault of the oncoming car(s) that ran their red light.

It has been my experience, drivers continuing forward at high speed even though they have a red light
is common. i believe I read that Florida has
more fatalities at intersections than other states. This is one of the reasons our car insurance is high.

For many years,
police cameras were installed at these dangerous intersections. If the camera caught your license plate not stopping at the red light, you received a hefty ticket in the mail.

I have lived in Florida over 40 years and
have witnessed a few of these intersection fatalities. Two were emergency vehicles with sirens moving at high speed through the intersection.

It takes mere seconds to wait until your path is clear. Protect you and your loved ones before entering the intersection. (even though you have the right of way) Do not trust oncoming traffic.

[dougawhite]

In a city with dense slow moving traffic in both directions of an intersection, you need to be aware not to "block the box". Here in The Villages we don't ever have such situations, except maybe at Morse & 44...

[VillagesDude]

Only one car may enter the intersection as long as there was a green light for that vehicle. Another vehicle may not enter the intersection regardless of there is a green light as long as another vehicle is there. If you do enter the intersection prior to the other vehicle clearing it, and the light turns red, the first vehicle is ok as it must clear the intersection; the second vehicle will be ticketed. Bottom line, you may not enter an intersection to turn left if another car is waiting.

[motherflippinpicker]

Originally Posted by rhood

At intersections with stop lights, if I have a green light and am turning left, I nearly always pull into the intersection and continue my turn when oncoming traffic has cleared. I think the green light gives me permission to enter the intersection.
Others have said I should wait until oncoming traffic has cleared before I enter the intersection. If you choose one or the other, please tell me why you do what you do.
Is there a FL statute that covers this? Thanks

I do the same, always have regardless of what state I'm in. I don't know if it's legally correct but I don't think any LEO would ticket for that.

[CybrSage]

Originally Posted by MicRoDrafting

Current Transportation Engineering
Technician for the City of Ocala
Engineer’s Office in Public Works

Pfft...just because you are currently doing this for a living does not mean you know what you are doing! I am right because I FEEL right!

Hopefully.that came across as it was intended, that you should be believed because this question is literally something you address in your job.

[Rainger99]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

316.075(1)(a)2 seems to allow a vehicle to enter an intersection and then yield to other traffic lawfully using the intersection. This means you should be allowed to enter the intersection to make a left turn and then wait until there is a break in oncoming traffic.

(a) Green indication.—
1. Vehicular traffic facing a circular green signal may proceed cautiously straight through or turn right or left unless a sign at such place prohibits either such turn. But vehicular traffic, including vehicles turning right or left, shall yield the right-of-way to other vehicles and to pedestrians lawfully within the intersection or an adjacent crosswalk at the time such signal is exhibited.