Originally Posted by Jercop (Post 2380487)

This post reminds me of my youth and my Driver Education course. The instructor stated "don't always expect you or the other driver to be right or wrong. Reason being even if you follow the rules of the road and you feel what you want to do is correct or right, you could be right DEAD RIGHT." Always drive defensively and arrive home alive.

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?

Originally Posted by LuvtheVillages (Post 2380119)

I was always taught that the left turn yields to everyone.

Originally Posted by JustSomeGuy (Post 2380442)

The statue starts with right turns and what is legal. That was left out.

If my understanding is correct, the other car was in front of you as you were turning left. If that is the case and he was making a right turn on red into the right lane, then that lane was no longer available for you to "lawfully enter" since he was entitled to use that lane to complete his turn. You could have slowed down and entered behind him safely. Any other interpretation would cause the driver legally entitled to the right lane to wait for all left turning drivers before he turns.... that defeats the reason for permitting right turns on red on to a roadway with two or more lanes.

You were turning into a lane he was already legally occupying. That lane was no longer legally available to you due to his right turn on red starting before your left turn.


316.151 Required position and method of turning at intersections.—
(1)(a) Right turn.—The driver of a vehicle intending to turn right at an intersection onto a highway, public or private roadway, or driveway must:
1. Make both the approach for a right turn and a right turn as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.
2. When overtaking and passing a bicycle proceeding in the same direction, give an appropriate signal as provided for in s. 316.156 and make the right turn only if the bicycle is at least 20 feet from the intersection, and is of such a distance that the driver of a vehicle may safely turn.
(b) Left turn.—
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.

Originally Posted by Bilyclub (Post 2380520)

I can’t fathom that so many posters believe they can pull into approaching traffic to make a right turn on red.

Originally Posted by Bilyclub (Post 2380520)

I will add to go straight or right at the next intersection on Trailwinds Blvd. you have to be in the right lane. If you look closely you can see where the solid white line starts about 30 feet from the crosswalk.

I can’t fathom that so many posters believe they can pull into approaching traffic to make a right turn on red.

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby (Post 2380564)

The above ONLY applies if the person taking a left does NOT have a traffic light directing him to proceed.

If the person taking a left has a traffic light directing him to proceed (a green arrow pointing left) then he has the right of way. Everyone else needs to wait. Except for pedestrians who are already in the crosswalk. They can continue across.

Originally Posted by Topgun 1776 (Post 2380452)

When you get in an accident and get a ticket for doing so, please show the officer this quote from the DMV handbook. He'll laugh at you all the way to his patrol car!!!!

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 Sandy and Ed (Post 2380633)

That is the most concise, simple and logical way to explain it. Thank you.

Originally Posted by Topgun 1776 (Post 2380261)

I was a policeman, the person turning left does not get their pick of a lane when entering a roadway with 2 lanes are more. They have started the turn from the far left, therefore they must stay in the far left lane of the roadway they are entering. Only after they've established themselves in the far left lane can they safely change lanes. In the opposite traveling traffic, as long as there is a right on red and the driver turning right has stopped first, he can proceed into the far most right lane. If the driver turning left stays in his legal lane and the driver turning right stays in the far right lane, both can safely proceed without accident.

Originally Posted by HORNET (Post 2380263)

Been here 17 years, entitlement of people here has gone overboard, used to be a Friendly place.