[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by Topgun 1776

You.didnt post a citation. You posted your interpretation. My point is ...again..if there is a SINGLE lane the left turning vehicle is going into, yes, he has the right of way. If there a multiple lanes, the driver turning left STAYS in the far most left lane throughout the turn. Once he's safely completed his turn, he may then safely change lanes. He does NOT legally get to swap lanes from the far left into any other available lane during the turn. That's called an improper lane change in any State. Simple stuff a lot of people ignore and develop bad habits because they're convenient

Uggh!

How do you quote exactly what I wrote:

Originally Posted by Bill14564

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.

and say I have not provided a citation? "FL Statute 316.151" *IS* the citation! If you want the exact text, you can find that via google, in the original post, and in several posts that quote the original post. If you refuse to look it up yourself, here it is:

Originally Posted by TheDude

...

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.
...

The pertinent wording: "... leave the intersection in a lane lawfully available to traffic moving in such direction.." It does not say, "the leftmost lane," or "the lane closest to the center line" Wording similar to that is used in the NYS law where you must turn into the closest lane. The Florida law does not specify which lane to use. The Florida law says, "a lane lawfully available to traffic moving in such direction." The rightmost lane is a lane lawfully available to traffic moving in such direction.

[Bill14564]

Originally Posted by BumpaOompa

You must be trying to break a record on the most posts!

Honestly, no I'm not.

I misunderstood the original post and argued the wrong point. Rather than leaving two bad arguments in place, I deleted them.

I am "triggered" by people using the phrase, "it's the law," when they have absolutely no idea how the law actually reads. I've spent too much time arguing with that in my career and it still bothers me today. If "it's the law" then it should be easy to give a citation of the actual law. The original poster did that, those disagreeing have not.

[Lyarham]

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?

I believe since you had the arrow you have the right of way

[Fenster]

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?

I disagree. Think it through. And reread the handbook. If you go from the left lane into the right lane, where the opposing car wants to go, you create a dangerous condition. Even if the law is vague, you are encroaching upon the other driver’s lane.

Also, to go from one lane (left) to another (right), you have to signal your lane change. There is a required distance for you to give notice (varies by state).

Depending on the timing, you are probably cutting the other driver off.

My advice: don’t do it. Saying that you’re acting legally (probably not) doesn’t make it safe.

[fdpaq0580]

Originally Posted by Fenster

I disagree. Think it through. And reread the handbook. If you go from the left lane into the right lane, where the opposing car wants to go, you create a dangerous condition. Even if the law is vague, you are encroaching upon the other driver’s lane.

Also, to go from one lane (left) to another (right), you have to signal your lane change. There is a required distance for you to give notice (varies by state).

Depending on the timing, you are probably cutting the other driver off.

My advice: don’t do it. Saying that you’re acting legally (probably not) doesn’t make it safe.

Disagree all you want. The law is not vague, it is quite specific. Turning right on a red light requires that you stop, look and make certain that the intersection is clear of oncoming traffic before proceeding. Many people from other states come here and make this and other mistakes. If an accident had occurred, the right turner would have cited for failure to yield. Remember the old saying, "when in Rome, do as the Romans do". Same principle. When in Florida.....

[Bilyclub]

Here is the link to the handbook: https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/handbooks...erhandbook.pdf


I have found no diagrams or language concerning turns and what lanes to turn into. Even if I did, state law supercedes a DMV handbook.

[TheDude]

Originally Posted by Bilyclub

Here is the link to the handbook: https://www.flhsmv.gov/pdf/handbooks...erhandbook.pdf


I have found no diagrams or language concerning turns and what lanes to turn into. Even if I did, state law supercedes a DMV handbook.

Its on page 70, top of page

[Aldeano Feliz]

Florida Laws Regarding Lane Changes
Florida Statute 316.089 codifies the procedures that drivers should employ prior to changing lanes. Specifically, it states that motorists must stay within a single lane of travel on any road that is divided into two or more lanes, and they cannot move into another lane unless they have determined that they can do so safely. It also dictates that drivers must obey any traffic control device that prohibits lane changes on certain sections of the road. Similarly, Florida Statute 316.085 bars drivers from moving into another lane unless a driver is confident that no cars are approaching in either direction and that the move can be safely made without interfering with any other driver. Finally, Florida Statute 316.55 states that a motorist must activate a vehicle’s turn signal for at least 100 feet prior to changing lanes.

[OrangeBlossomBaby]

Originally Posted by Aldeano Feliz

Florida Laws Regarding Lane Changes
Florida Statute 316.089 codifies the procedures that drivers should employ prior to changing lanes. Specifically, it states that motorists must stay within a single lane of travel on any road that is divided into two or more lanes, and they cannot move into another lane unless they have determined that they can do so safely. It also dictates that drivers must obey any traffic control device that prohibits lane changes on certain sections of the road. Similarly, Florida Statute 316.085 bars drivers from moving into another lane unless a driver is confident that no cars are approaching in either direction and that the move can be safely made without interfering with any other driver. Finally, Florida Statute 316.55 states that a motorist must activate a vehicle’s turn signal for at least 100 feet prior to changing lanes.

IF you are turning FROM one lane TO two lanes, AND IF you have the right of way, AND IF the oncoming traffic has a red light, THEN you can pick which lane you're turning to.

This is what happened in the OP's case.

They were in a single lane dedicated to people taking a left, from the main road (466A) to a strip-mall driveway (I believe this was Colony Plaza).

They were traveling east on 466A and got into the left turn only lane. People coming west on 466A had a RED light. The person taking a left had a GREEN light. The person taking a left had the right of way.

Immediately after turning into that driveway, there is a gas station on the RIGHT. The only way to get there from 466A, traveling east and taking a left at the light, is to be in the right lane after the turn. You can't turn onto the left lane in that drive, and take a right. THAT would be dangerous, stupid, and not lawful.

[Velvet]

Originally Posted by LuvtheVillages

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

In almost all driving situations, when you're making a left-hand turn, you are expected to yield to other vehicles, including when a driver facing you is turning right. - Google

[retiredguy123]

Originally Posted by Velvet

In almost all driving situations, when you're making a left-hand turn, you are expected to yield to other vehicles, including when a driver facing you is turning right. - Google

Not when you have a green arrow.

[Bilyclub]

Originally Posted by TheDude

Its on page 70, top of page

It says to stay in the proper lane.

According to the turn law it can be either lane. It’s not a lane change because they are no lines thru the intersection designating lanes.

[djlnc]

If you are approaching a four lane road and making a left turn, and there is an oncoming car that is going to make a right turn, you should stay in the left lane and the oncoming car should stay in the right lane. No chance of a collision. Is it too late to make this an amendment for the Nov. 5th vote?

[Velvet]

Originally Posted by retiredguy123

Not when you have a green arrow.

A green means you have the right of way. But a smart person will still not plow into the idiot who doesn’t recognize it.

[TheDude]

Here is exact location