"Michigan Left" turn. (Ann Arbor: businesses, moving to, traffic)

[mrthemike]

Ok, so..I just moved to MI.

I found out there is this thing called the Michigan left hand turn where you basically make a right and an immediate u-turn.

Now, the u-turns sometimes have a stop light. But, i've noticed, even if it is red (not blinking) people go...is this, normal? Is this..legal? (doesn't seem legal!)

[jrmontag]

Sure why not

[cardwellave]

You can turn left on that red if it is possible.

[Bydand]

When entering a one way street that is going to your left you may turn left on red.

The road or street you are making the left turn on with a Michigan left is basically a one way street at that point, so it is perfectly legal to do so if you can do it safely. I remember that one from way long ago because it is the one question I missed on the written portion of my drivers test too many years ago to mention.

[khfar]

My husband just got a ticket for turning left on red, while making a Michigan left. So, who knows.

I think the Michigan left is the weirdest and most time consuming thing. However, I can say that I see FAR fewer accidents here than I saw in TX, so there must be a reason for doing it that way! I guess it's safer.

[MICoastieMom]

Just to clarify, one make a left turn on red onto a one way street that runs to the left from either another one way street or from a two way street provided there is no traffic to interfere. Check it out. When I lived in Ann Arbor, I did it all the time (no one way streets around me now), and according the the police department it is legal.

[mrthemike]

Thanks guys! Now, why wouldn't they make it a blinking red light?

Who knows..

[magellan]

Originally Posted by mrthemike

Thanks guys! Now, why wouldn't they make it a blinking red light?

Who knows..

Because many times at a Michigan left, you can either turn left or continue straight across to another street or a business entrance. A blinking technically would mean that you could go straight across when traffic cleared, and you can't. Most of the Michigan lefts in our area have a sign that says something like "Left turn may proceed when traffic has cleared".

But even if they don't have the sign, unless there's a sign to the contrary, it's legal to turn left on red when traffic has cleared.

[kimba01]

Since I have lived in MI all my life the MI lefts are what I know. I am moving to Las Vegas in about 2 weeks and while we were there driving around looking for places, I just thought it was so strange that they don't have left turns like that. It will take some getting used to for me.

The other day I was over on Telegraph and it was about the first time I saw a sign saying No Turn on Red for the left. On Hall Rd. you will see signs that tell you that you proceed when traffic clears-even those turning out of the businesses across the road. You can definitely see confused people there.

As far as it not being blinking, sometimes there is just too much traffic and you would sit forever at the left with a line of traffic building up behind you and that could cause problems clogging up the lanes that are not turning. (confusing, huh?) You get used to it, I personally like them.

[mackinac81]

I wonder if other states have Michigan left turns, or if they're unique to Michigan (?)