Left Turn as light turns red, illegal? (Virginia Beach: DMV, legally)

[bangorme]

The problem with the cameras is that they were targeting "technical" red light running in order to raise money. That means people that entered intersections while the light was yellow and the light turned red while they were in there.

This led to people jamming on their brakes and causing tons of rear-end collisions.

I want to stop accidents and am not so worried about revenue. If the cameras could catch people entering intersections when the light was already red for .25 sec, I'd be in favor of them.

Originally Posted by becwells

YES!! I agree 100%. I remember reading an article in the newspaper maybe 3 years ago about how people were all up in arms about red light cameras - how they were infringing on their rights or something. I think that, if anything, they need more red light cameras around here. I'm originally from Australia and over there you ALWAYS slow down for yellow lights. And you do everything in your power to not run a red light - they're there for a reason.

[becwells]

Originally Posted by bangorme

The problem with the cameras is that they were targeting "technical" red light running in order to raise money. That means people that entered intersections while the light was yellow and the light turned red while they were in there.

This led to people jamming on their brakes and causing tons of rear-end collisions.

I want to stop accidents and am not so worried about revenue. If the cameras could catch people entering intersections when the light was already red for .25 sec, I'd be in favor of them.

Maybe so, but then doesn't that indicate that perhaps people are following too closely behind and not paying proper attention? Either way, it seems to me to be a case of people not driving in a safe way.

If you enter the intersection when the light turns yellow, you should be able to clear it before the light turns red, unless you entered it way after the light turned yellow in which case you probably could have stopped.

[bangorme]

Logic meet reality. If you leave more than one car length between you and the person in front of you, some idiot(s) will force their way into that space. Even if you have half that amount of space between you, some super-idiot will try to edge his/her way into it.

I wish I could drive here like we do in Maine, but that's a wish... kinda like winning the lottery.

Originally Posted by becwells

Maybe so, but then doesn't that indicate that perhaps people are following too closely behind and not paying proper attention? Either way, it seems to me to be a case of people not driving in a safe way.

[becwells]

Originally Posted by bangorme

Logic meet reality. If you leave more than one car length between you and the person in front of you, some idiot(s) will force their way into that space. Even if you have half that amount of space between you, some super-idiot will try to edge his/her way into it.

True dat!

Is it wrong of me to say that I don't care if those people rear-end someone? The accident will be deemed their fault for following too closely anyway.

In any event, I'm PRO red light camera's. Maybe people will learn to (a) actually slow down for yellow lights and (b) after enough rear-end collisions, learn to not follow so closely. Aaah...wishful thinking!

[VRE332]

Originally Posted by becwells

True dat!

Is it wrong of me to say that I don't care if those people rear-end someone? The accident will be deemed their fault for following too closely anyway.

In any event, I'm PRO red light camera's. Maybe people will learn to (a) actually slow down for yellow lights and (b) after enough rear-end collisions, learn to not follow so closely. Aaah...wishful thinking!

I am PRO red light cameras as well, because of a friend who was seriously injured when someone drove thru a red light.

[FL Beaches]

Originally Posted by cb at sea

No--you can't turn on red! You're supposed to stop on yellow--it's telling you that it's turning red! The only way you are legally allowed to go through a yellow light is if it turns yellow while you're in the intersection!
Even if the light is green, you can't enter an intersection unless you can TOTALLY clear that intersection!
Sometimes, it's easier to go past where you want to make a left, turn around, come back and make a right!

Same thing in FL if anyone is planning on visiting. Yes, this was clearly brought to our attention in a class I took. We were all surprised.

[FL Beaches]

Originally Posted by 5stones

IF you do not have a left turn arrow light...you are YIELDING to on comming traffic. you must wait until traffic is clear, if you can't go you don't. pulling inot the middle of an intersection to waiting until red to go is illegal. If you pull into the insection while green and go on green you are good, if it turns amber you are to vacate the intersection, RED means stop. YOU took a chance and got caught in the middle and went on RED, esentailly running a red light.
NOW... what choice did you have? wait in the middle of the street and impeed traffic? you can get a fine for that as well.

Technically you are to wait BEHIND the white intersection line until your route is clear before heading into the intersection before you proceed. (because you are yeiiding to all oncomming traffic... you aren't guaranteed a left turn)

YOu got a warning, because the officer wanted you to know that you were actually doing an illegal turn. But she was also logical and used common sense that knowing you were in a "catch 22 " situation.

Just because something is common practice, or everyone does it doesn't make it legal.

VA drivers are bad at lights esp. left turn signals...they "piggy back" through the red lights all time, getting at least 5 more cars through. And then causing the road to back-up...everyone is always in such a hurry.

Makes me think of "Don't block the box" in Virginia Beach. So many people around here will enter an intersection and completely block it so when the opposite direction has a green, they can't even get across. I believe it's a $200 fine in VB if you block the box. We need those signs all over the state! There was an accident on one of the main roads around here last week. Caused nothing but havoc at the intersection.

[akorosdc]

Originally Posted by FL Beaches

Makes me think of "Don't block the box" in Virginia Beach. So many people around here will enter an intersection and completely block it so when the opposite direction has a green, they can't even get across. I believe it's a $200 fine in VB if you block the box. We need those signs all over the state! There was an accident on one of the main roads around here last week. Caused nothing but havoc at the intersection.

They've got the same fines and signs in Philadelphia, too. It's not that bad of an idea, I can't stand the people who dart into the intersection on yellow just to sit there until the next green.

[DebieD]

I was just looking this up, since I know it is legal in NY where i learned to drive, but i wasn't sure about down here. There is actually a term for it in the driver's manual in ny, it's called "continuation on red". Once you are in the intersection and the light has turn red for you (and green for cross traffic), you have the right of way to continue your turn. It is actually illegal for cross-traffic to go until you finish your turn.

[ajzjmsmom]

[quote=bangorme;7546182]I see at least 10 drivers run red lights every morning during my 6 mile drive into work. By running, I don't mean technically running, I mean entering the intersection when the light was red and proceeding through the red light.

I really wish the police would worry about the obvious red light infractions (which cause many more accidents than speeding) and not worry about splitting hairs. I know tickets are 95% revenue, but how about stepping up to the plate and sitting at some intersections. Lots of money to be made there!!!![/quote]

Amen to this one, when we were staying in Falls Church, Gallows Rd at rush hour is bad for this, drivers piggy backing through the red light,while those who have the green have no where to go, I have sat through 3 green lights on Gallows Rd trying to make a left turn, when the arrow was green for us to go, those going straight had the intersection blocked. I always wondered where the cops were. I have to say I learned my lesson the first time and either didn't go out during rush hour or if I had to go out I went another way. You would think the cops would worry about something like this instead of someone making a left turn as the light was turning red.