Turning left on yellow light (Phoenix: versus, suburb, cars)

[S. Chris Webb]

"3. Yellow - A yellow light warns that a red light is imminent. A yellow light does not call for a speed increase or reduction, but requires extra caution and awareness. Many factors must be considered when a decision is made to proceed or stop on a yellow light. Vehicle speed, the speed of other vehicles, and the density of traffic, among others, must be factored into your decision."

- from an Arizona Supreme Court approved online defensive driving course.

[rjrcm]

Originally Posted by 20yrsinBranson

Having a green light does not permit you to enter an intersection. ...

Actually it does unless there is a sign prohibiting a turn without an arrow, it is not illegal. Perhaps in Branson it's different.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by 20yrsinBranson

Having a green light does not permit you to enter an intersection. You should ALWAYS remain behind the stopping line designated on the pavement for that lane until you have clear passage to turn. You should NEVER be stopped in an intersection. Even though *everyone* (except me, apparently) does this, it still does not make it right. If you had been sitting in the left turn lane waiting for your green arrow, this wouldn't have happened.

20yrsinBranson
obeyer of all traffic laws.

This is not correct. It is perfectly legal to be in the intersection waiting for a light to change. Even if the light turns red while you are out waiting you are legal. In fact, in AZ at least, cars already in the intersection have the right of way regardless of whether the light has changed. If someone comes from the cross street, even if they get a green and tbones you, it is their ticket not yours.

PS: I hate people who do not move out into the intersection on green. They should be taken off the roads. It leads to red light running and dangerous situations for everyone.

[rjrcm]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

...PS: I hate people who do not move out into the intersection on green. They should be taken off the roads. It leads to red light running and dangerous situations for everyone.

[S. Chris Webb]

"4. Green - A green light allows you to proceed, but it requires an awareness of all other vehicles and pedestrians on the road. (You should never proceed, despite a green light, unless it is safe to do so. When making a left turn on a green light, you must ensure there is enough time and space to complete the turn prior to conflict with other vehicles or road hazards.)"

From an Arizona Online Defensive Driving Course

[azdr0710]

sorry it happened to you, barefoot....

yes, you should've waited until the other driver stopped or proceeded....as you said, they entered the intersection on a yellow - not illegal....the driver who was turning right and stopped probably stopped just because they were extra careful and/or thought they couldn't complete their slower turn before the red....

yes, I agree with the poster who said a lagging left turn arrow (after the main green) is MUCH safer.....it's standard here in Tucson and prevents many accidents....have we all seen the drivers who keep turning left after the green arrow is gone, but the main green has come on, thus "validating" their continued turning???.....SO dangerous!

[43north87west]

28-772. Vehicle turning left at intersection

The driver of a vehicle within an intersection intending to turn to the left shall yield the right-of-way to a vehicle that is approaching from the opposite direction and that is within the intersection or so close to the intersection as to constitute an immediate hazard.

28-645. Traffic control signal legend

(a) Vehicular traffic facing a steady yellow signal is warned by the signal that the related green movement is being terminated or that a red indication will be exhibited immediately thereafter when vehicular traffic shall not enter the intersection.

Source: Arizona Revised Statutes, article 28 - Transportation

That's really all you need to know. The other driver entered the intersection legally on yellow light, and hit you, while you were making a left turn, which is a failure to yield right of way.

Whether the person was out of control or speeding is a subjective analysis on your part and will probably not go anywhere in court, so don't waste the time.

An attorney might still be able to help you out, but given your description of the situation, the ticket was issued accurately.

FWIW, I found this using a Google search with the words "arizona motor vehicle code", which isn't even the correct name for the ARS section containing the information quoted.

[Ponderosa]

28-772. Vehicle turning left at intersection

The driver of a vehicle within an intersection intending to turn to the left shall yield the right-of-way to a vehicle that is approaching from the opposite direction and that is within the intersection or so close to the intersection as to constitute an immediate hazard.

This clearly implies that even if the oncoming car ran the red and smacked you or was speeding, you still can be ticketed for not yielding. They could be ticketed too for running the light, but that does not excuse you from yielding . That does sound familiar from DDC courses. One needs to be sure that the oncoming traffic is stopped before turning regardless of the light.

[YAZ]

Never assume that another driver is gonna stop on a red light.

Especially around here.

Just be careful, and hope that ifya get in an accident, it only ruins your day.

[AZ bound]

Originally Posted by PhxBarb

Yes, I agree with Ponderosa. She should have waited in the intersection until the red to see if the other cars ACTUALLY did stop (or just keep going). Alot of red light runners in AZ. I never assume anything with other cars, cause you just never know...

Yes, if #1 rule was followed, never assume what they're doing, there would have been no accident.

Ponderosa is right on a few points.
Coming from from a professional driver's point of view, it is quite legal to "own the intersection" waiting for oncoming traffic to clear.