Driving: Who has the right of way in this situation...

[battleknight24]

I know this sounds like a dumb question, but...

Lets say that I am at a 4 way intersection with two lanes each way. I have a green light but not a protected turn, and I am going to turn left. The car across from me also has his/her blinker on and is also turning left, but there are several cars behind that car turning left. Do I have to yield to the cars in back of the first one to make sure they are not going straight? Or do they yield to me, since they are not first?


Peace,

[billyskank]

1. No idea what the protocol is in America, but in Britain

Our situation is reversed because we drive on the left, so I'm talking about two cars coming from opposite directions, both turning right.

When two cars from opposite directions both want to turn right, they should go past each other and turn right behind each other if the intersection is big enough to permit it, or failing that they should carefully turn right in front of each other. Neither car has right of way, but that doesn't matter because both should be able to make their turn without obstructing the other.

Edited to add: if there are cars behind which might possibly be going straight on or left, then I must wait and find out before I try to make my turn. I can pull forward and wait behind the first car if the intersection is big enough for that, ready to turn right behind him, otherwise I must hang back to give people room to do their thangs.

[battleknight24]

4. But the car behind that one turning to the right, opposite me...

... do I have to watch out for the car behind it, or do they (the car(s) behind the turning one) have to wait?

[DS1]

2. Gun it

/Masshole


just watch out of people in the right lane of the oncoming traffic coming up the side where you can't see them.

[graywarrior]

5. *snort*

especially if it's a tour trolley

[bicentennial_baby]

9. that was my answer!

x(

[KitchenWitch]

3. I would say, if the cars are in the same lane behind the person turning...

that you are safe to go ahead and turn.

[mainegreen]

6. Up here you would both turn, but not pass each other.

If you tried to turn, but go around them you would cause an instant accident up here. No one does that.
Solves the problem of the people behind the car as well.

[JoePhilly]

7. Ahhhh .... the real issue is whether the lanes are turn lanes or not ...

If both lanes can go straight OR turn left, then you need to either make the turn at the same time as the other car (each in front of each other), or you may need to wait.

If the first car is going straight, clearly you must wait.

But if that first car is turning left and you are as well, you can go IF you do so at the same time ... but if the timing is off, you are better off waiting ... or you may get hit.

Same is true is there is a car approaching fast behind the other car. You need to let them go, or risk getting nailed.

And if you each have a car behind you, then you both go at the same time, and those cars wait.

All assuming that the right hand lanes are clear :-)

typo

[Suich]

8. I'm always afraid to turn in case someone suddenly passes

the oncoming turning car, going straight, and into the side of me! Whenever you rely on what a driver is going to do based on their blinker, be very careful!

fwiw, I often wait for all the oncoming cars to either turn or go straight before I make my turn. I'm never in that much of a hurry.



:)

[skygazer]

10. It's a matter of common sense really

If you are able to make the turn while the other car is also turning left and avoid the chance of a collision, then you should do so. If there's a chance of collision, you should wait.

Woulda, shoulda, coulda - all that doesn't really matter if the end result is someone getting hurt. As for liability, I believe in most areas, you are considered at fault if you are turning left and the vehicle that you collide with is going straight.

[petronius]

11. If you can safely make the turn before the other cars reach the intersection,

than you can go ahead and do it. Personally, however, I tend not the trust turn signals so I wait until the front car has actually committed to the turn. By that time, it's a bit late to turn in front of the other cars (so I just go ahead anc cut them off ;))...

[Inchworm]

12. If you make eye contact, you do

never go behind them though, thats kaRAYzee :)

:hi:

[qwertyMike]

13. Put the brakes on n/t

[CreekDog]

14. the car going straight has the right of way

even if they were behind a car turning left.

[DarkTirade]

15. The person with the biggest car.