Turning left on yellow light (Phoenix, Scottsdale: living, legal, safe)

[barefoot12]

I was Driving in Phoenix, making a left turn,I entered the intersection on the green, there were 2 vehicles oncoming so I stopped, the light turned yellow and the oncoming car in the right lane who had his right blinker on, stopped, the other oncoming vehicle in the center lane was 2-3 lengths behind him and I assumed that since she was 2-3 car lengths behind the vehicle who stopped on the yellow light she would also stop so I proceeded to turn.She did not and hit my back bumper.on the passenger side.
I was under the impression that you do not enter the intersection on a yellow and feel that she should have stopped or had her vehicle under control enough to stop before hitting me.
The officer gave me a ticket for failure to yield. I feel she should have gotten a ticket for speeding and entering an intersection on a yellow. I was shocked to have been the one with a ticket and considering consulting a lawyer.
Does anyone know enough about the laws here to comment?

[Ponderosa]

There is nothing illegal about entering on yellow. Next time, be aware that if you are already in the intersection, you can and maybe should wait until the light turns red to go to be sure everyone is stopped. Vehicles already in the intersection have the row when the light goes red. Or you could move to one of the enlightened cities like Scottsdale, Gilbert and Goodyear where the turn signals come at the end of the light cycle (lagging lefts).

[Stokes172]

Yellow means clear the intersection, it's a judgement call as to whether or not you can stop or go through..it's your word against hers that she was speeding. It's 50/50..you shouldn't have turned left until it was safe to do so.

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by Stokes172

Yellow means clear the intersection, it's a judgement call as to whether or not you can stop or go through..it's your word against hers that she was speeding. It's 50/50..you shouldn't have turned left until it was safe to do so.

Not in Arizona. It means the light is going to change. That is ALL it means. It has no legal or control significance at all. We learn that in defensive driving and it is a question on the drivers test, too.

[Stokes172]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

Not in Arizona. It means the light is going to change. That is ALL it means. It has no legal or control significance at all. We learn that in defensive driving and it is a question on the drivers test, too.

Yes that's what I said...it's not illegal to enter..clear means either side.

"it's a judgement call as to whether or not you can stop or go through"

I drove for a living .

[Ponderosa]

Originally Posted by Stokes172

Yes that's what I said...it's not illegal to enter..clear means either side.

I drove for a living .

It is not mean CLEAR. It means the light is going to change to red. That is ALL. I don't care if you drove or not - you are reading something into it that maybe applies where you live but does not here. It is ideas like yours that got OP in trouble. He/she did not have to "clear" the intersection. She could have and should have waited until the light turned red if necessary. If you ever move here and have that question on a test, remember my post. It is one of the most missed questions they say. People want to say it means slow down, clear the intersection etc. The correct answer is it means the a red light is imminent. Nothing more. Now go ahead and argue/counter all you want. We do agree that OP was in the wrong and that she should have waited till the oncoming cars stopped. I am done with it.

[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...

[rjrcm]

From azdot driver's manual, http://mvd.azdot.gov/mvd/formsandpub...rmInfoKey=1420:

Yellow − Yellow Means Brake!
This signal means CAUTION. A steady
yellow light is a warning that the light is
about to turn red. If you have not entered
the intersection, you should come to a safe
stop. If you are already in the intersection,
you should continue moving and clear it
safely. Speeding up to “beat the light” is
illegal and could cause an accident.

[20yrsinBranson]

Originally Posted by barefoot12

I was Driving in Phoenix, making a left turn,I entered the intersection on the green, there were 2 vehicles oncoming so I stopped, the light turned yellow and the oncoming car in the right lane who had his right blinker on, stopped, the other oncoming vehicle in the center lane was 2-3 lengths behind him and I assumed that since she was 2-3 car lengths behind the vehicle who stopped on the yellow light she would also stop so I proceeded to turn.She did not and hit my back bumper.on the passenger side.
I was under the impression that you do not enter the intersection on a yellow and feel that she should have stopped or had her vehicle under control enough to stop before hitting me.
The officer gave me a ticket for failure to yield. I feel she should have gotten a ticket for speeding and entering an intersection on a yellow. I was shocked to have been the one with a ticket and considering consulting a lawyer.
Does anyone know enough about the laws here to comment?

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.

[Stokes172]

Originally Posted by rjrcm

From azdot driver's manual, http://mvd.azdot.gov/mvd/formsandpub/viewPDF.asp?lngProductKey=1420&lngFormInfoKey=1420 : (broken link)

and clear it
safely

WOW same terminology no matter where you are.