[GladysM2024]

Legally you can’t enter an intersection unless you can go through it completely.

[BrianL99]

Originally Posted by GladysM2024

Legally you can’t enter an intersection unless you can go through it completely.

According to whom?

You can proceed under a "Green Light" at any time. That is the premises of traffic lights. Red is STOP. Green in proceed. Yellow is ... slow down & look around until it's safe.

[Keith1911]

I know in Miami you will get a ticket for what is called blocking.
Chapter 316 Section 2061 - 2021 Florida Statutes - The Florida Senate
Hope this helps

[bmcgowan13]

Florida State Statute 316.075

c) Steady red indication.—
1. Vehicular traffic facing a steady red signal shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection and shall remain standing until a green indication is shown;....

The intersection is defined by FSS 316.003
(34) INTERSECTION.—
(a) The area embraced within the prolongation or connection of the lateral curblines or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways of two highways which join one another at, or approximately at, right angles; or the area within which vehicles traveling upon different highways joining at any other angle may come in conflict.

Basically, the intersection is what we all think it is...continue the edge of the other roadway....

You cannot ENTER the intersection on a steady red signal. If you are already IN the intersection (past the cross walk or the edge of the intersection) you have to exit the intersection as soon as safely possible.

It is legal to "take the intersection" (go into the intersection) on a green or yellow signal but you have to exit as soon as you can.

[MicRoDrafting]

Originally Posted by BrianL99

Absolutely you have the option. Where the issue starts, is if there's never a "break" in the oncoming traffic, so you never get to make the left turn and you're stuck blocking the intersection.

It's a judgement call.

As there is a minimum (3) second delay between the Red Traffic Light and the Crossing Green Light to Activate, there is sufficient time for the Left Turning Vehicle to Clear the Intersection…

HOWEVER, it is of course, Extremely Important to be Mindful of that one person that will Accelerate at the Yellow Light from the Opposite Direction …

… SO it is Definitely Important to make sure not to be Forward of Viewing the Traffic Light Sequence while Staged within the Intersection.

* the minimum (3) Second
Delay is an FDOT Standard
for Signalization Control

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

[La lamy]

Always go forward with wheels still facing forward to wait for left turn.

One other issue regarding left turns is when there is a median on the street you are turning onto. When the car facing you is also turning left, you must turn AFTER you've passed that car facing you, NOT turn in front of them. Of course that applies only if they also go forward to wait for their left turn. Only turn left in front of the other left turning car when there is NO MEDIAN on the street you are turning onto, or if they didn't go forward to wait to turn..

[Trident2]

Originally Posted by Davonu

Your actions are correct. Green ball means left turner enters intersection and waits on appropriate opening to complete turn.

Traffic engineering is what I did for a living as a Professional Engineer in the State of Florida. Florida Statute 316.122 covers left turns in the state.

Florida traffic engineer, great! Can you explain why the lights are long enough to grown a beard? Thank you.

[Lanieb]

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 used to teach drivers Ed. Yours is the correct way.

[nn0wheremann]

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.

When the light changes oncoming traffic stops and you then clear the intersection, so the folks in the cross street can procede.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by La lamy

Always go forward with wheels still facing forward to wait for left turn.

One other issue regarding left turns is when there is a median on the street you are turning onto. When the car facing you is also turning left, you must turn AFTER you've passed that car facing you, NOT turn in front of them. Of course that applies only if they also go forward to wait for their left turn. Only turn left in front of the other left turning car when there is NO MEDIAN on the street you are turning onto, or if they didn't go forward to wait to turn..

If I understand what you are saying then I believe the presence of the median does not matter, you should always go beyond the oncoming, left-turning vehicle before turning left yourself.

- The median just makes it more obvious that turning short isn't correct.
- Few people follow this rule
- This does not apply to roads with left-turn lanes and arrows

The reason for following your rule isn't about the median, it's about being able to see when it is safe to turn. If you turn short then the oncoming, left-turning vehicle blocks your view of oncoming traffic (and you block his). If you follow your rule and turn beyond them then both of you have an unobstructed view and can tell when it is clear to turn.

[crash]

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.

They won’t be blocking the intersection they finish their turn under the red light. They entered under the green. The problem arises when other people behind them enter under the red.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by nn0wheremann

When the light changes oncoming traffic stops and you then clear the intersection, so the folks in the cross street can procede.

I cannot clear the intersection if there is a traffic backup on the road I am turning onto. In that case, I and everyone who entered the intersection behind me will be stuck in the intersection until there is space in the lane I am attempting to turn into.

Someone earlier mentioned 316.2061. A driver needs to consider both that and 316.075(1)(a)2 to determine whether they should enter the intersection to make a left turn in the presence of oncoming traffic.

[cfstoltz]

I have lived in Florida all my life.
You are correct. Even if you were still in the middle of the intersection, and the light turns red and then turn, you are turning legally.

[msilagy]

OMG - behind someone that does not pull into the intersection on green is maddening. Just remember to keep your wheels straight. And proceed when safe to do so!

[mraines]

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

After having lived in LA, I agree with you. This is the only way to get through an intersection.