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Old 06-11-2009, 08:21 AM
 
370 posts, read 1,353,233 times
Reputation: 195

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Read 60-6,123 and 60-6,159 and see if those help or hinder your understanding of the issue. Not really clear in either of those.

I know I was taught in driver's ed to wait behind the crosswalk to make your left turn.

You definitely cannot block the crosswalk while waiting, but whether or not you can wait in the intersection under state law is a little unclear.

Of course, that is state law, and most large municipalities (like Omaha) use city code to enforce traffic. I'm too lazy to look up Omaha's city ordinances on traffic.
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Old 06-11-2009, 10:25 AM
 
Location: Bennington NE
119 posts, read 437,856 times
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When I was first getting my license (14 years ago) in Sarpy County, I remember learning in drivers ed something about pulling into the intersection to wait for a gap to turn. I was probably taught, however, that it was illegal to go thru when it was red. This confusion led me to doubt what to do during my actual test with the DMV. I was too afraid to enter the intersection, so I sat through 2 light cycles because I did not find any clear gaps. The test administrator then told me to pull into the intersection and turn when the light had turned yellow and oncoming traffic was stopping. He failed me for the road test because of this.

FWIW, I do not usually pull a whole car length into the intersection to wait so I am not completely blocking the intersection for emergency vehicles. Additionally, the cars that are to your left of the intersection are already stopped and aren't going to just go thru the intersection when their light turns green if you are in the way. As the light is turning yellow you can usually see oncoming traffic coming to a stop. Unless someone in the oncoming traffic is running their red light, you are usually able to turn in the gap that is created as that car is coming to a stop, before your light turns red.
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Old 10-09-2009, 09:49 AM
 
Location: Omaha, NE
306 posts, read 712,815 times
Reputation: 69
I usually stay back behind the crosswalk for a couple reasons:

1) Omaha drivers are getting worse with regards to running red lights. I don't want to risk getting hit by a red light runner while making a left turn on yellow. I'll just wait 2 more minutes for the arrow and avoid an accident.

Although, I probably make the two people behind me mad because its now apparently customary for 2-3 cars to turn on yellow now.

2) I'm a short guy and drive a car, which sits low, inhibiting me from seeing around vehicles in the opposite turn lane. Sitting back further gives me a better chance to see around the other cars.
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Old 10-09-2009, 02:41 PM
 
109 posts, read 256,658 times
Reputation: 50
In Michigan, where my wife is from, instead of the light turning green after the left arrow clears out, the light starts flashing red, which at first confused me but I guess, according to my wife, you treat it as a Stop until the intersection is clear and then you can make a left. I have not seen that in any other State.
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Old 10-09-2009, 08:29 PM
 
5,244 posts, read 4,702,859 times
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I have noticed A LOT of drivers just run red lights. On another note, about rules...we have a roundabout that has YIELD signs on all four streets, yet, I am the only one that yields. There have been times when I am still waiting and 3 cars have just gone through it ignoring the YIELD sign, what is up with that?
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