The Left-Turn Arrow That Ends Mid-Intersection
You are westbound on a six-lane arterial in Phoenix at 5:15 p.m., waiting in a dedicated left-turn lane behind two cars. The light shows a green left-turn arrow. You enter the intersection behind the car ahead as the arrow turns yellow, then red, while you are still in the box. Oncoming eastbound traffic begins moving on a fresh green. A pedestrian steps into the crosswalk on the far side of the intersection, and a right-turn-on-red driver from the cross street starts creeping forward. Your rear bumper is just past the limit line.
1. Are you legally permitted to finish the turn, and what governs that decision?
Read the worked answer
Generally yes - a vehicle that has lawfully entered the intersection on a green arrow may complete the turn when the signal changes, clearing the intersection. The key facts are that you entered on a valid green arrow and you are already within the intersection.
But permission to clear does not erase the duty to yield:
- Oncoming traffic now has a green and may proceed. You must still yield to vehicles lawfully in the intersection or approaching so closely that yielding is necessary.
- Pedestrians in the crosswalk have the right-of-way once they are in it.
- Right-turn-on-red driver must yield to traffic in the intersection, but you cannot assume they will.
So the answer is: complete the turn, but only when the path is clear, and be prepared to wait inside the box if oncoming traffic or the pedestrian blocks you.
2. The pedestrian and the creeping right-turner create competing demands. How do you sequence your response?
Read the worked answer
Priority order:
- Pedestrian first. A person in the crosswalk has the strongest claim. Stop and let them clear your path before moving.
- Watch the right-turner. They are creeping, which means they may not have seen you. Hold your position, make eye contact if possible, and be ready to stop.
- Then oncoming traffic. Once the pedestrian clears, complete the turn when there is a safe gap in eastbound traffic. Do not force a gap because you feel pressured to clear the box.
- Keep wheels straight while waiting. If you are struck from behind while your wheels are turned, you could be pushed into oncoming traffic.
Patience inside the intersection is legal and safer than a rushed turn.
3. What if the light had been a flashing yellow arrow rather than a green arrow?
Read the worked answer
A flashing yellow arrow means you may turn left but must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians - you do not have a protected right-of-way. Entering on a flashing yellow and being caught mid-turn when it changes to red still generally allows you to clear, but the burden of yielding was on you from the start.
Differences to note:
- Green arrow: protected turn; oncoming traffic is stopped.
- Flashing yellow arrow: permissive turn; you must find a safe gap.
- Steady yellow or red arrow: do not enter; if already lawfully inside, clear when safe.
In all cases, the pedestrian in the crosswalk and any vehicle already in the intersection take priority over your desire to finish quickly.