The Left Turn Across Multiple Lanes
You are stopped at a green light waiting to turn left across two lanes of oncoming traffic. The first oncoming lane has a gap, but a car in the second lane is approaching at about 40 mph and is about 150 feet away. A pedestrian is crossing the street you want to enter, and a car behind you is honking. Your light has been green for 15 seconds. You are driving a loaded van, which accelerates slowly.
1. Is the gap in the first lane enough to turn?
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Probably not. You must cross both oncoming lanes, and a car in the second lane 150 feet away at 40 mph is closing at about 59 feet per second, so it will reach you in roughly 2.5 seconds. A loaded van accelerates slowly, so you may not clear the lane in time. The gap in the first lane is irrelevant if the second lane is not clear. Wait until both lanes are safe, even if the driver behind honks.
2. How does the pedestrian affect the turn?
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You must yield to the pedestrian crossing the street you are entering. Even if the oncoming lanes clear, do not turn until the pedestrian is out of your path. Turning in front of a pedestrian is a common cause of collisions because the driver is watching traffic and not the crosswalk. Check the crosswalk before and during the turn.
3. What should you do if the light turns yellow while you are waiting?
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If you are already in the intersection waiting to turn, you may complete the turn when it is safe, even after the light turns red, because you entered on green. If you have not entered the intersection, do not enter on yellow unless you can clear it safely. Do not back up. If you are caught in the intersection when the light changes, finish the turn as soon as oncoming traffic and pedestrians permit.