Originally Posted by Heytubes (Post 2380230)

You must stay in the leftmost lane when turning left, then signal to the right lane when clear...

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.

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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?

Originally Posted by Heytubes (Post 2380230)

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.

Originally Posted by Davonu (Post 2380232)

Nope.

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

Originally Posted by Cassieb (Post 2380242)

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.

Originally Posted by Topgun 1776 (Post 2380250)

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.

Originally Posted by Sandy and Ed (Post 2380199)

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…..

Originally Posted by airstreamingypsy (Post 2380124)

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.

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.

Originally Posted by Bill14564 (Post 2380206)

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.