Talk of The Villages Florida - Turning left in Florida

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Quote:

Originally Posted by Topspinmo (Post 2380171)

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…..

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDude (Post 2380118)

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?

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

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheDude (Post 2380118)

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

Its a third world country down here, proven again

Quote:

Originally Posted by MandoMan (Post 2380200)

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.

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by MandoMan (Post 2380200)

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.
. . .

It’s very common though illegal for someone turning left on a signal to turn into the outside lane rather than the inside lane.

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by kidnerkim (Post 2380203)

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

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sandy and Ed (Post 2380199)

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topgun 1776 (Post 2380218)

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.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Topgun 1776 (Post 2380218)

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.