Is this a "regional driving" thing unique to the area? (transplants, live)

[alibaba1579]

Everywhere I've lived, there have been odd habits that local people do that aren't practiced across the country. In then midwest, we turned left on red, pulling way out into the intersection, and sitting there until the light was yellow or red to turn left. When I lived in the deep south, people often let those turning left (usually out of of a driveway or small street) go infront of them, even if it meant stopping the entire flow of traffic behind them.

Is this something people do here: Do people who are turning right on green yeild as a courtsey to those turning left onto the same road? I was almost hit twice last week in the same place, and was wondering maybe people were assuming that I'd let them go infront of them b/c that's what people do here?

Each time I was traveling north on rolling road, turning right on a green light onto a small (one lane) side street. My light turned green, and I turned. Seems simple enough. But twice a car turning left onto the same street went, acted like I was supposed to yeild to them. At first I thought they just weren't paying attention or something. But after then second time it happened I started to wonder if that's something people do here? Seems strange to yield to those turning left, but maybe it's just one of those unspoken things people do in NOVA?

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by alibaba1579

Each time I was traveling north on rolling road, turning right on a green light onto a small (one lane) side street. My light turned green, and I turned. Seems simple enough. But twice a car turning left onto the same street went, acted like I was supposed to yeild to them. At first I thought they just weren't paying attention or something. But after then second time it happened I started to wonder if that's something people do here? Seems strange to yield to those turning left, but maybe it's just one of those unspoken things people do in NOVA?

Not that I'm aware of. Perhaps it's something practiced elsewhere and they're transplants. Good time to lay on the horn.

[Fundman]

I'm sure they wanted you to yield to them since they were crossing Rolling to make their left turn and they were trying to drive through a small break in the traffic. If they waited for you to go then they might have lost their window of opportunity to cross and would then have to wait until traffic eased up again. Since you were turning right the Rolling traffic wouldn't affect you.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by Fundman

I'm sure they wanted you to yield to them since they were crossing Rolling to make their left turn and they were trying to drive through a small break in the traffic. If they waited for you to go then they might have lost their window of opportunity to cross and would then have to wait until traffic eased up again. Since you were turning right the Rolling traffic wouldn't affect you.

They should wait out in the intersection for the light to turn yellow and then proceed if clear, one car per light cycle. You might want to call the FCPD and ask them if they'd like to put an officer there in the morning to ticket any offenders.

[HokieFan]

Originally Posted by alibaba1579

Each time I was traveling north on rolling road, turning right on a green light onto a small (one lane) side street. My light turned green, and I turned. Seems simple enough. But twice a car turning left onto the same street went, acted like I was supposed to yeild to them. At first I thought they just weren't paying attention or something. But after then second time it happened I started to wonder if that's something people do here? Seems strange to yield to those turning left, but maybe it's just one of those unspoken things people do in NOVA?

It sounds like you've just encountering some drivers who feel entitled and are not driving properly. You are making a right turn at a green light - you have the right of way. They should yield to you (and those who are going straight).

[GustavoFring]

Originally Posted by alibaba1579

Everywhere I've lived, there have been odd habits that local people do that aren't practiced across the country. In then midwest, we turned left on red, pulling way out into the intersection, and sitting there until the light was yellow or red to turn left. When I lived in the deep south, people often let those turning left (usually out of of a driveway or small street) go infront of them, even if it meant stopping the entire flow of traffic behind them.

Is this something people do here: Do people who are turning right on green yeild as a courtsey to those turning left onto the same road? I was almost hit twice last week in the same place, and was wondering maybe people were assuming that I'd let them go infront of them b/c that's what people do here?

Each time I was traveling north on rolling road, turning right on a green light onto a small (one lane) side street. My light turned green, and I turned. Seems simple enough. But twice a car turning left onto the same street went, acted like I was supposed to yeild to them. At first I thought they just weren't paying attention or something. But after then second time it happened I started to wonder if that's something people do here? Seems strange to yield to those turning left, but maybe it's just one of those unspoken things people do in NOVA?

if you're both turning onto a two lane road, the left turning driver is allocated the lane closest to the center and you're allocated the lane closest to the outside. Pretty sure this is legal, but it makes certain drivers uncomfortable.

[scottfs]

Originally Posted by GustavoFring

if you're both turning onto a two lane road, the left turning driver is allocated the lane closest to the center and you're allocated the lane closest to the outside. Pretty sure this is legal, but it makes certain drivers uncomfortable.

Never heard of that before. Sounds very unsafe. I would assume that is illegal. Two cars coming into two adjacent lanes from opposite sides/angles would have a very high chance of colliding.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by scottfs

Never heard of that before. Sounds very unsafe. I would assume that is illegal. Two cars coming into two adjacent lanes from opposite sides/angles would have a very high chance of colliding.

I assumed this was a two lane road but if it's four lane I believe Gustavo is correct.

[scottfs]

The Virginia code states the following:

§ 46.2-825. Left turn traffic to yield right-of-way.

The driver of a vehicle, intending to turn left within an intersection or into an alley, private road, or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction if it is so close as to constitute a hazard. At intersections controlled by traffic lights with separate left-turn signals, any vehicle making a left turn when so indicated by the signal shall have the right-of-way over all other vehicles approaching the intersection.

(Code 1950, § 46-239; 1958, c. 541, § 46.1-222; 1974, c. 347; 1989, c. 727.)

Looks somewhat open to interpretation whether "if it is so close as to constitute a hazard." I would personally say yes in most situations.

[GustavoFring]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

I assumed this was a two lane road but if it's four lane I believe Gustavo is correct.

As CAV clarified, I meant turning onto a two lane road with both lanes going the same direction, which would be a four lane road if it carried traffic in both directions. I typically do not do this even though it's legal, simply because the other driver is usually confused or becomes scared or hostile.