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I was driving in a residential area, waiting to turn left into a neighborhood off of a main road. There was a crossing guard who signaled me to stop for people crossing and then waved me on when they were done.
As I was turning, I notice another car coming right at me, slowly. I could not see them until I made the turn.
The school across the street was letting out so there were cars parked on BOTH sides of the street waiting to pick the kids up, which meant that only one car could fit at a time.
I ended up backing up, back to the main road, checking to see if it was clear first so they could go.
Who had the right of way here? In retrospect, even though I checked to make sure it was clear, it was more dangerous for me to back up into a main road than it would have been for them to back up in their street.
Also, with cars parked on both sides of the street, I did not have the line of sight to see the other car. Should the crossing guard have noticed that when he waved me on or is his only concern for the pedestrians crossing?
I've always assumed that school crossing guards were only there to stop traffic for children crossing the street, not to direct traffic per se. I don't think they have that authority, do they? If my assumption is correct, the other car had the right of way.
Sounds like a dangerous situation, maybe one that needs to be addressed with a no parking or no left turn sign -- or a real traffic cop -- before there's a serious wreck that involves kids. This may be your chance to save some young lives!
I've always assumed that school crossing guards were only there to stop traffic for children crossing the street, not to direct traffic per se. I don't think they have that authority, do they? If my assumption is correct, the other car had the right of way.
Sounds like a dangerous situation, maybe one that needs to be addressed with a no parking or no left turn sign -- or a real traffic cop -- before there's a serious wreck that involves kids. This may be your chance to save some young lives!
I think that's generally correct. The guard does not direct traffic. Instead they merely signal that you may resume, according to the rules of the road.
I don't believe crossing guards are supposed to "direct" traffic and could probably open themselves to a lawsuit if someone had an accident. I gets tough around schools but aren't there limits to how close a car can park by the intersection? also can they park on both sides of the street in that area?
Sounds like this side street needs some NO PARKING signs for about 50' from the main street so there is room for two cars in a situation like this. And a police officer to enforce it. We have a school officer and a constable that are often at the school in the AM and PM to help with issues like this.
In making a left turn oncoming traffic always has the right of way unless you had a green arrow.
I trust NO ONE (including police) to direct me without first determining the intersection is clear for myself. Police have the authority to do direct traffic ofcourse but even that doesn't guarantee that other drivers are paying attention.
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