traffic laws?

[mr2448]

Originally Posted by beth98

It's a weird new england thing (it's common in at least Massachusetts and parts on NH as well), but once you get used to it actually is pretty helpful. Getting the car turning left out of the way first, let's all the cars behind him go about there way faster. You just have anticipate it.

I was ticketed in Seattle for doing this. It was for "obstucting the flow of traffic" on the road I was on. We have this law but it is never in forced. Obviously the number of accidents benefits the auto collision repair shops and the economy. I mean the money does come from the insurance comanies outside of our deductibles! No wonder we have some of the highest insurance premiums in the country! As said before, it is a good thing we are not allowed to take a "left on red" as they do in 37 other states. This is only on one way traffic roads. We would need double the collision shops and we all ready exceed the national average.

[personalensign79]

I spent the last eight years in Florida and they most definitely do this down there too. Some people don't want to wait for a break in the oncoming traffic or wait through two + cycles of the light only to turn left on a yellow/red anyway. Sure, it's dangerous but I see it all the time and not just in RI.

[mr2448]

Originally Posted by personalensign79

I spent the last eight years in Florida and they most definitely do this down there too. Some people don't want to wait for a break in the oncoming traffic or wait through two + cycles of the light only to turn left on a yellow/red anyway. Sure, it's dangerous but I see it all the time and not just in RI.

Those are just transplanted Rhode Islanders showing off!

[QuilterChick]

I'll second thaat, and raise you 5 NY'ers and 6 from NJ !

[rranger]

Originally Posted by geegollygosh

So I just moved to RI, and have had like half a dozen people turn left in front of me at intersections immediately after the light turns green when I'm going straight. Is this some kind of weird RI traffic law I should know about or are people just aggressive bad drivers? Wanted to check and make sure there's not some 'the first car waiting to go left has right of way' law.

Also, right on red is okay unless otherwise posted, right?

Well, as someone who has to suffer RI traffic entirely too often (and lets keep in mind I live in BOSTON), here's the skinny:

- In RI, all bets are off with respect traffic signals. I suspect a lot of this has to due with a geriatric driving population that approaches 90%

- That left turn thing is just as prevalent in MA - get used to it, you'll be seeing it alot everywhere you go around here.

- You haven't lived until someone does the Providence parking lot routine. That is, they take a right turn into a parking lot at an intersection, then a left onto the crossroad ahead so that they can avoid waiting at the light. I think PVD holds a patent on that! LOL!

- Keep a look out for people who insist on stopping four or five feet into the intersection at cross streets. That's an RI classic that I don't usually see even in MA. It's the RI form of chicken.

Above all, enjoy!