[Heytubes]

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.

[Davonu]

Originally Posted by Heytubes

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

Nope.

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

[nn0wheremann]

Originally Posted by TheDude

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?

Drive defensively.

[Cassieb]

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.

[Topgun 1776]

Originally Posted by Heytubes

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.

You're spot on! If you are turning from the far left, you must stay in the far left most lane through your turn. Only after that, can you safely change lanes.

[Topgun 1776]

Originally Posted by Davonu

Nope.

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

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.

[Topgun 1776]

Originally Posted by Cassieb

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.

Absolutely correct!!! Anyone crossing from far left to the right lane has committed an improper lane change and will be held liable if there's an accident. Just because they have the arrow, they don't get to choose which lane they want.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Topgun 1776

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.

The above is incorrect according to FL Statute 316.151. Please post a citation that supports your claim that you must stay in the leftmost lane.

If you are turning left on a green arrow then the oncoming traffic has a red light and a right-turning vehicle must yield. If there is a collision then it is the right-turning vehicle that is at fault.

If you are turning left on a green light then the oncoming traffic also has a green light and the left-turning vehicle must yield. If there is a collision in this case then the left-turning vehicle would be at fault.

[Topgun 1776]

Originally Posted by Sandy and Ed

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…..

You are correct! If you're turning from the far left turn lane, you don't get your pick of lanes in the middle of a intersection/turn. You must stay in the left lane through the completion of the turn and then, when the right lane is clear, safely change lanes. Left turns with an arrow don't get their choice of lanes.

[Lanieb]

Originally Posted by airstreamingypsy

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.

How would you know that the right turning lane has a green arrow it’s back is to you?

[Topgun 1776]

Originally Posted by MandoMan

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.

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.

[HORNET]

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

[Topgun 1776]

Originally Posted by Bill14564

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.

Incorrect. You get ONE lane to turn from and ONE lane to go into. If there are multiple lanes on the roadway being entered, if you are turning from the far most left lane, you must enter the far most left lane of the roadway you are entering. You don't get your choice of lanes to turn into. Period.

[TheDude]

After reading some of the later posts, I would like to suggest people read the first page of the thread.

It is there that actual law is pointed out.

So, I ask, to all those who give opinions, what about the law? Still not convinced?

'Turning left with a green arrow would mean the other driver would have the red light. With that said, then there is no reason they can't move to any available lane. Also, talking about this specific location, not any other place or any place with special conditions.'

So, I ask, all those who disagree, "what about the law that has be posted?"

[TheDude]

Topgun, show the law starting your point of view, please. I'm learning and if you know something they please share.

I will post this again.

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.