Failure to Yield- left on yellow?

[bearchan]

I just got a ticket for failing to yield. I was at a weird intersection where I thought I could make the left turn so I went into the intersection (which the cop told me was illegal?) I waited for cars to pass and then the light turned yellow. A truck zoomed up to the intersection and through the yellow light. I made the turn thinking that the truck was obligated to stop (going through a yellow is the same ticket as going through a red) and was cited with failing to yield to oncoming traffic. I would like to think I shouldn't get a ticket since the other car was supposed to (yield) to a stop light and I was in an intersection, but it's Missouri law.

Any sources appreciated...

[lazaro94]

- You can't enter an intersection and sit waiting to turn. You can enter ONLY to go through. Waiting to turn is to be done from behind the intersection - like you're sitting at a red light.
- It's very common to go into the intersection to make a left but we know we're risking a ticket when we do it - then you make the turn after the oncoming traffic STOPS (usually because the light turned red while you were waiting.
- You seem to think your left on yellow is somehow legally superior to going straight through a yellow. Why is that? Yellow, green or red he had the same light as you and you turned in front of him. That's bad - really bad. Even if it wasn't a violation it's just a really bad idea so if you WERE allowed, don't do it anyway.

So yeah; you're wrong - very, very wrong.

Take your ticket to traffic court and offer to plead guilty to a non-moving violation. They get paid and you get no violation points. They don't have to give you that deal but a lot of traffic courts will, particularly if you were polite and pleasant to the cop so he's willing to help you out.