What's the deal with these left turns?

[calvert]

hey guys,

I just got a car but what confuses me is the left turn. Now I know that if it says on arrow only and left on green only I know that I should stand behind the white line and then make the turn. But what's the deal when there is none of those signs? Do you go to the middle of the intersection and wait for coming traffic to clear off and turn? A lot of people say that you should stand behind the white line even in this case but many more others say that you should just go to the middle of intersection and wait for oncoming traffic to clear off and then make the turn.. What's the law about that? It's really confusing to me because today I went to the middle of the intersection with a green light but the oncoming traffic was heavy and then the light turned yellow and then red and I just stood in the middle of the intersection like a fool. Can you guys please explain it to me? Another friend told me that if you see the white line you should always stay behind it but I don't know.... I'm really confused about this.

[hardin]

People going straight have the right of way. You take your turn when it is safe. But do NOT block the intersection, even if its a mistake or an instinct because you could be hit with a ticket! or even a car accident.

[wattekinson86]

You should hold back and wait for the intersection to clear , then enter and turn left. Most people realize that if you do it the right way, like that you will never get into the intersection so they move into the middle of the intersection so there is some hope that if they get left there (like you did) they will still get to complete the turn. It is not the right way, but it works and 1 person will sneak through the left turn for every green light.

[sayre]

Ask your local Driving Examiner this question.
Where I have lived and taught driving, when there is a solid green light ONE vehicle should move up just over the crosswalk line, and front bumper in line with curb of roadway. As you wait for a clear path, you continually check for oncoming traffic, any pedestrians in the crosswalk to your left (shoulder check), and also check the light. When your path is clear you may proceed with your left turn, looking well ahead up your intended lane. If your light turns amber, check for any oncoming vehicles running the amber light and proceed promptly to complete your turn. It is legal for that one vehicle which is already in the intersection to clear the intersection if the light turns amber.
This method allows ONE vehicle per light to turn when traffic is heavy. Otherwise during times of heavy traffic no one would be able to make a left turn.
I hope this helps you.

[aviya]

You cannot enter an intersection if you can't clear to the other side. This is for straight through traffic only. If you can't proceed to the other side, you are blocking the intersection - citation could be expected if the light turns red while you are blocking the intersection.

The yellow light really means you cannot enter the intersection if you are stopped or able to stop. If you wait behind the line (stopped) and the light turns yellow, you can be cited in some jurisdictions if you proceed into the intersection. But turning traffic is allowed to pull into the intersection (on a green ball) and wait for vehicle and pedestrian traffic to clear in the direction of the turn. Let's look at this situation: It's rush hour, continuous bumper to bumper traffic. If you stayed behind the line as some suggest, you'd never be able to make a left turn until hell freezes over or rush hour ends. It's common sense to me and I've never received a citation for that.

If you are facing a red arrow, you cannot enter the intersection, just like a red ball. Right turn on red excepted. A green arrow means your turn is protected from conflicting vehicle and pedestrian trraffic and you can turn in the direction of the arrow, but you are not guaranteed absolute right of way. If there is an obstruction (vehicle or pedestrian), you cannot make your turn regardless of the green arrow meaning..