VII.
Interacting At Intersections
Identifying An Intersection
Controlled And Uncontrolled
There are two kinds of intersections. Intersections where driver movements are controlled by traffic lights, stop or yield signs are controlled intersections. Watch for signals and specific sign markings. Turns may not be allowed, or can be made only at certain times of the day. Right turn against red light may not be allowed. Left or U turns may not be made, or there may be a special lane for turning. Paying close attention to these signs will reduce your chances of getting into an accident.
Uncontrolled intersections have less traffic but are more dangerous as the drivers have to use their commonsense and safe driving practices to navigate the intersection. There are no signals, signs or yield right-of-way markings. Slow down and stop, look for approaching and intersecting traffic before proceeding. Yield to pedestrians, bicyclists and other vehicles already at the intersection.
Skill Required For Crossing And Turning
Before entering an intersection, make a quick calculation as to the time you'll need to cross or turn into an intersection. The time necessary may depend upon other vehicles with the right-of-way, number of lanes, the distance to cross the intersection, etc. Always allow ample time to cross the intersection before entering it. You would not want to be in the middle when the light turns to red and cross traffic starts to enter the intersection.
As a rule of thumb, for vehicles traveling at 30 mph, a time gap of 6 seconds equals about 1/2 block distance. If it takes you 4 seconds to cross a street that is 24 to 30 feet wide, you must allow a 6-second gap in traffic from both directions to safely cross the intersection.
Left Turns
Below are some rules to help you when turning at a street corner.
Get close to the center divider line or into the left turn lane (if there is one). When turning left, don't turn too soon and "cut the corner" of the lane belonging to cars coming toward you.
Always be aware of other vehicles, pedestrians and bicycle riders. Yield to the oncoming traffic. Move your vehicle forward, approximately half way to the center of the intersection, stop and wait for oncoming traffic to pass and then quickly make your turn. You're allowed to complete your turn in either lane of the cross street if it is safe to do so.
Be extremely cautious if your view is blocked. You may not be able to see the oncoming traffic. Sometimes it is better to go to the next intersection, turn right around the block and turn into the cross lane.
If you are turning right, get close to the right edge of the road (watch for bicycles or motorcycles between your car and the curb). On a right turn, don't turn wide. Stay in the right lane until you have finished your turn.
Beware that at some intersections right turn against red light is not allowed. Look for pedestrian and bicycle traffic while turning right. They have the right-of-way. At some intersections, you have to make two stops; first at the first limit white line and then at the next before turning. Look to your left for the oncoming traffic before initiating your turn. Finish your turn in the right lane. Failure to yield to the cross traffic is a major cause of traffic tickets and accidents.
If your view is obstructed, proceed with caution; inch forward until you can see around the obstruction, yield to the oncoming traffic, and complete your turn quickly.
U-Turns
U-turns are always fraught with danger since they take considerably longer to complete than the right or left turns. Look for oncoming vehicles, parked cars, pedestrians and bicycles. Pedestrians and bicyclists may be entering in the lane you'll be completing your turn in. You must start the U-turn from the left lane on your side of the road and complete it in the far right lane heading in the opposite direction. You may not make a U-turn
 | Where a posted sign expressly forbids a U-turn |
| On a one-way street |
| In front of a fire station |
Proceeding Straight
All intersections must be approached with caution even if you have the green light to proceed. Look straight but also watch for some errant cross traffic. Cover the brake pedal with your foot, and be mentally prepared to stop in case of an emergency. Your object should be to get out of the intersection as soon as possible.
Signaling for Turns and Stops
To alert other drives of your intending move, in city driving turn your signal on at least 100 feet before making the move. Leave the signal on during the entire 100 feet distance before making the turn.
Safe Driving Tips: Turns
Left Turn Center Lane
If a street has a left turn center lane, you must use it when you turn left. You may only drive for 200 feet in the center left turn lane. This is to help prevent drivers from using this lane as a regular traffic lane or as passing lane.
To turn left from the street, drive completely inside the center left turn lane. Don't stop part way into the lane, with the back of your vehicle blocking traffic. Make sure the lane is clear in both directions and then turn only when it is safe. Look for vehicles coming head on toward you in the same lane as they start to make their left turns.
When turning left from a side street or driveway, wait until it is safe, then drive into the center left turn lane. Signal before moving into regular traffic. Enter traffic only when it is safe.
You may drive across a center left turn lane.
Right Turn Against A Red Light
Make a full stop for a red traffic light at the limit line, if there is one, or before entering the intersection. If there is no sign which prohibits a right turn on the red light, you may turn right. Be careful that you do not interfere with pedestrians, bicyclists, or vehicles moving on their green light.
Left Turn Against Red Light On A One Way Street Only
Make a full stop for a red traffic light at the limit line, if there is one, or before entering the intersection. On a one-way street, you may turn left into a one-way street where traffic moves left if there is no sign which prohibits the left turn. If the light is red, be very careful that you do not interfere with pedestrians, bicyclists, or vehicles moving on their green light.
No turn Against red arrow. A right or left turn may not be made against a red arrow.
Examples of Right and Left Turn
The numbers on the cars refer to the numbered sentences on these pages.
Legal U-Turns
When you make a U-turn, you turn around and go back the way you came. Make the turn only from the far left lane on your side of the road.
You may cross a double white or a double yellow line to make a U-turn in a residential district:
| If no vehicle approaching you is closer than 200 feet. |
| Whenever a traffic sign or signal protects you from vehicles which are close. |
At an intersection, you may make a U-turn on a green light or green arrow unless a "No U-turn" sign is posted.
Before you make a U-turn on a divided highway, be sure you won't drive over or across any dividing section, curb, or strip. This includes:
• Two sets of double lines marking a center divider - except through an opening provided for turns.
• The unpaved median in the middle of the freeway.
Illegal U-Turns
Never make a U-turn on a highway by crossing a curb, or strip of land, or two sets of double lines. You may not make a U-turn:
| Where you cannot clearly see 200 feet in each direction
because of curve, hill, rain, fog, or other reason. |
| Where a "no u-turn" sign is posted. |
| When vehicles may hit you. |
| On a one-way street. |
| In front of a fire station. Never use a fire station
driveway to turn around. |
| In a business district, except at intersections or through openings in a concrete divider. |
Signs and Road Markings
Many streets have signs to indicate that:
| Cars in the left lane must turn left. |
| Cars in the right lane may go straight or turn right. |
| Cars in the left lane may turn left or go straight. |
| Cars in the right lane must turn right. |
| Similar markings are often painted on the road. |
Freeways lanes (as well as some city street lanes) which are ending will usually be marked by large broken lines painted on the pavement. If you are driving in a lane marked with these broken lines, be prepared to exit the freeway or the lane to end. Look for a sign to tell you what to do (i.e., merge right, right lane must exit, etc.).
The Law: Intersections
Intersection
An intersection is the area embraced within the prolongations of the lateral curb lines, or, if none, then the lateral boundary lines of the roadways, of two highways which join one another at approximately right angles or the area within which vehicles traveling upon different highways joining at any other angle may come in conflict. §365
Turning Upon a Highway
Right Turns. Both the approach for a right-hand turn and a right hand turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.
Left Turns. The approach for a left turn shall be made as close as practicable to the left-hand edge of the extreme left-hand lane or portion of a roadway lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of travel of such vehicle and, when turning at an intersection, the left turn shall not be made before entering the intersection. After entering the intersection, the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection in a lane lawfully available to traffic moving in that direction upon the roadway being entered. §22100
U-Turns at Controlled Intersections
No driver shall make a U-turn at an intersection controlled by official control devices, except from the far left hand lane that is lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of travel from which the turn is commenced. §22100.5
Regulations of Turns at Intersections
The Department of Transportation or local authority in respect to highways under their respective jurisdictions may cause official traffic control devices to be erected within or adjacent to intersections to regulate or prohibit turning movement , at such intersections. §22101
U-Turn in a Business District
No person in a business district shall make a U-turn except at an intersection, or on a divided highway where an opening has been provided. This turning movement shall be made as close as practical to the extreme left hand edge of the lanes moving in the driver's direction of travel. §22102
U-Turn in a Residential District
No person in a residential district shall make a U-turn when any other vehicle is approaching from either direction within 200 feet, except at an intersection when the approaching vehicle is controlled by an official traffic control device. §22103
Unobstructed View Necessary for U-Turn
No person shall make a U-turn upon any highway where the driver does not have an unobstructed view for 200 feet in both directions along the highway and of any traffic thereon. §22105
Turning Across Bicycle Lane
Whenever it is necessary for the driver of a motor vehicle to cross a bicycle lane that is adjacent to his lane of travel to make a turn, the driver shall drive the vehicle into the bicycle lane prior to making the turn. §21717
Turning Movement and Required Signals
No person shall turn a vehicle from a direct course or move left or right upon a road way until such movement can be made with reasonable safety and then only after the giving of an appropriate signal in the event any other vehicle may be affected by the movement. §22107
Duration of Signal
Any signal of intention to turn right or left shall be given continuously during the last 100 feet, traveled by the vehicle before turning. §22108
Signal When Stopping
No person shall stop or suddenly decrease the speed of the vehicle on a highway without first giving an appropriate signal to the driver of any vehicle immediately to the rear, when there is opportunity to give the signal. §22109
Method of Signaling
Signals shall be given either by means of the hand and arm or by a signal lamp. §22110
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