OT - Left hand turn Etiquette in intersections

[inkman]

5 hours ago, Alaska John said:

We no longer live in Utah, but we learned that in that state it's suicide to try to turn left as the light turns red.  Three or four cars coming from the other direction will run the red light.  The police do nothing about it.  But if you try to turn and one of them enters the intersection on a solid red and hits you, it's you who will get the ticket.  And since those cars are speeding up when they see they have a red light, your car could be totaled and your passenger could be killed.  If you sit there in the intersection waiting for the three or four cars to finish coming through, you'll be surrounded by people coming from the cross road, and they won't make it easy to get through. 

If you're at an intersection with no left turn arrow, give up.  Go through the intersection until you can turn right three times.

This is what happens when people get used to ignoring the law because there's no consequence for breaking it.

 

3 hours ago, Kr632 said:

My dad recently had to take his road test and was failed for pulling under the light when making a left. Lady screamed at him about how dangerous it was and immediately ended the test.

I’ve always done it that way until I moved to Texas and everyone runs red lights. Then you’re stuck in the middle while the people with the green drive around you.
 

It seems a lot of places got rid of the green arrow and just use a flashing yellow for turns and some intersections you’ll sit for 5-6 light cycles during busier times of day. 

So because aholes are running red lights, people who are doing what they are supposed to be doing are being punished.  Sounds like Merica.  

[LTS]

The general rule of thumb I was taught is that you don't enter the intersection unless you can clear it before the light turns red.

So if I look at oncoming traffic and I see a long line then I do not enter the intersection until I can see a potential gap in the traffic that would allow me to complete my turn.

Also told that if you are in the intersection when the light turns red you have effectively run the red light and could be ticketed. This is true going straight, left, or right.

I tend to drive cautious because I have enough crap happening in life and enough car problems to not have to deal with an accident, etc.

[That Aud Smell]

23 hours ago, inkman said:

The rule of thumb when I was learning how to drive was pull into the intersection under the light (or as close as you could while still seeing it) and wait until you had an opening to turn. At the very worst, as the light turns yellow and the oncoming traffic stops, you can then turn.  
 

What I’m seeing regularly now, is vehicles not even breaching the crosswalk ensuring that they won’t be able to get through the yellow light. Are they teaching it differently now? 

This is a pet peeve of mine as well. I agree that most (maybe even 2/3 of) left-turning drivers on the WNY roads nowadays just sort of stay where they are when the light turns green and, with any luck, are able to take a left.

I've been behind a few such drivers who don't even manage to take their left. Which is maddening.

22 hours ago, PonyBoy2 said:

I taught driving for years, yes still alive to talk about it. 

You have to check the state. In Idaho I was very surprised to learn capturing the intersection is illegal. California, NY capturing is allowed. 

I think that's very dumb, but I've had to adjust my lifetime habit so as not to get a stupid ticket. 

Capturing the intersection!

Well, there you have it. I didn't know this practice had a name.

It appears to be on its way out, anyway.

[Alaska John]

21 hours ago, inkman said:

 

So because aholes are running red lights, people who are doing what they are supposed to be doing are being punished.  Sounds like Merica.  

My brother who moved to central Mexico last year says Mexicans simply take their turns at intersections, even when there's no traffic control light or signs. He says they call it uno a uno or something like that.  If you're driving down the road and someone coming the other way wants to turn left in front of you, you are expected to stop so they can go.  

[Alaska John]

On 11/12/2025 at 2:51 PM, shrader said:

You'd love Massachusetts.  The second a light turns green, the first two people waiting to turn left will gun it and cut off the person going straight.

I went to college in Albany, and the drivers did that too.  That was the only place I ever saw it.  If you drove straight ahead and into them, you'd probably be at fault because you could see they were there, but that doesn't seem fair.  

[Alaska John]

18 hours ago, LTS said:

The general rule of thumb I was taught is that you don't enter the intersection unless you can clear it before the light turns red.

So if I look at oncoming traffic and I see a long line then I do not enter the intersection until I can see a potential gap in the traffic that would allow me to complete my turn.

Also told that if you are in the intersection when the light turns red you have effectively run the red light and could be ticketed. This is true going straight, left, or right.

I tend to drive cautious because I have enough crap happening in life and enough car problems to not have to deal with an accident, etc.

If you enter an intersection when the light has already turned red, then you have run the light and deserve a ticket.  But if you enter it on the amber light or green light, and it turns red while you're in it, you're OK.  Maybe this isn't true in all states but it's been the case wherever I've lived (nine states).

[Slack_in_MA]

On 11/12/2025 at 11:32 PM, PASabreFan said:

The one that gets me is oncoming traffic waving you to turn in front of them, giving up the right of way.

This. Especially when they don’t give you a wave or flash of lights, like everyone can read their mind.  And mucking up everyone in front of and behind them.  All for the appearance of being overly polite, like it’s going to get them into heaven faster. Just drive the car!