two right turn lanes- legal to turn on red?

[SoBuKev]

The one that bugs me is going north on Hemphill (near GA Tech). When it intersects with Northside Drive headed north, and you get caught at the red light, IT'S OKAY TO PROCEED THROUGH THE LIGHT to make the right (doesn't seem like a right turn) onto Northside.

No one ever does this (except a few people I know) but it drives me mad to have to sit at that light behind other people, because they don't realize it's the same as any other right-hand turn at a red light......complete stop, look to make sure the coast is clear, then proceed. Yes, I have confirmed with a cop that its okay....and why wouldn't it be?

Thanks, I had to get that one off my chest.

[samiwas1]

Yeah, I don't think that is correct, since it's not a right turn. It's a merge. With a red light. The reason no one ever does it is because that is not correct (by what I can figure). And yes, I think the cop was wrong. But I could also be wrong.

[netdragon]

Only a right turn on red is legal with two right turn lanes. You also have to turn into the correct lane on the road you are turning into. You can't cross from the left right turn lane to the right lane of the road you are turning onto. You also have to be wary of complex intersections where "no turn on red" signs may be present.

An example of where a 2-lane right turn on red is legal is the Paces Ferry exit on 285 when travelling West on 285.

You can NEVER turn left on a red light. Ever. If the road has a median, then you can do a "Michigan left" (Turn right, travel to the next intersection that allows U-turns, and turn back) however chances are you would have been better off just waiting for turn arrow.

What's annoying are intersections where the left turn lane is also a U-turn lane and U-turns are given the right of way (e.g. a few of these for cross streets on the East/West connector in Cobb County). The reason this is annoying is because if you are trying to turn right on red, and the left turn/U-turn lane from the other side has right of way, you have to sort of guess whether or not the person in that left lane is going to be turning left or doing a U-turn and be ready to slam on your brakes if you're wrong.

[cityhopper]

Originally Posted by bhoffman

and don't forget those "tag applied for" cardboard signs you see in lieu of a valid license plate. god forbid people actually have to get one.

That is one of my favorite local "monuments" I like to show family and friends who visit me here.

Believe it or not, when I first moved here I had purchased a car and had a 30 day tag from another state...I actually got pulled over by GA police to "question" my tag. I look back now, I should have laughed in their face **shaking head**.

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by southgeorgia

lets say you're in the far left lane of a one-way street. You come to a red light where the cross street is one-way going to your left. Can you turn left on red?

Yes. You can take a "left on red" where two one way streets meet and the direction of the streets permits a left on red.

From the GA manual @ http://www.dds.ga.gov/docs/forms/FullDriversManual.pdf

"Unless a sign posted at that intersection prohibits doing so, it is permissible to make a “left turn on red” from the left lane of a one-way street onto a one-way street on which the traffic moves toward the driver’s left. You may proceed only after making a complete stop, yielding to all traffic and stopping for pedestrians, and making the determination that you can safely make the turn."

[neil0311]

Originally Posted by bhoffman

and don't forget those "tag applied for" cardboard signs you see in lieu of a valid license plate. god forbid people actually have to get one.

I used to always shake my head at the fact that in GA you could drive off a lot with nothing more than a dealer advertisement on the car. Most states require a temporary plate or even a real plate. In MA, you couldn't move the vehicle without plates and insurance.

I guess it's been tightened up just a bit, and I actually saw someone get pulled over in Kennesaw for what appeared to be one of those homemade "Tag Applied For" cardboard license plates.

[coolyfett]

Originally Posted by bhoffman

and don't forget those "tag applied for" cardboard signs you see in lieu of a valid license plate. god forbid people actually have to get one.

Yea, what the hell is that about!!!! I see those "Tag Applied" cardboard things a lot. Georgia doesn't issue temp tags? And how long is this so called tag application process? That and "tag stolen" cardboards lol....why do people steal license tags? Makes me wonder if it is really stolen and not just expired. Those cars seem like hit and runs just waiting to happen.

[netdragon]

Originally Posted by neil0311

"Unless a sign posted at that intersection prohibits doing so, it is permissible to make a “left turn on red” from the left lane of a one-way street onto a one-way street on which the traffic moves toward the driver’s left.

Yes, that's true in almost every state and I didn't think about that. Not many 1-way streets in GA though compared to many cities in Northeast which are almost all 1-way streets...