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Yielding on Left Turns
It's always dangerous when you turn left in an intersection. You have to cross over opposing lanes of traffic which leaves you vulnerable in a crash. It also exposes you to drivers who would never think that they might have to yield and let you turn left.
The rule in B.C. for turning left at an intersection requires that you yield to any opposing traffic in or approaching the intersection so closely that it would be a hazard. Having yielded as required, opposing traffic must now yield to you and allow you to make your left turn.
Never, ever expect the opposing drivers to follow this rule, even if you are at an intersection controlled by traffic lights that have turned yellow. In fact, this may be one of the more dangerous times to try and turn. Drivers wanting to get through before the red may not be watching for you.
It would be far safer to wait for the lights to turn red and all the opposing traffic to stop and then make your turn. In this situation you have right of way over cross traffic facing the green light to do so. It also assumes that you have properly entered the intersection on the green light to prepare for the turn.
Reference Links:
Yielding on Left Turn - Section 174 Motor Vehicle Act
R v Moreno-Munoz - Case Law from the Provincial Court of BC
Comments
Submitted by E-Mail
I agree, but in Kelowna we have a large volume of drivers that consider when approaching an amber light means accelerate to go through the intersection. On many occasions I have sat in a left turn late waiting for up to 2 on coming to race through the light when it has already changed to red.
"...properly entered the intersection on the green light to prep
Good point. If I remember my automobile driving lessons correctly, the driver is expected to enter the intersection on the solid green light, proceed to a point at which he (she, wotever) would begin the turn and wait for traffic to clear, with the vehicle's steering wheels not turned into the direction of opposing traffic. Upon having done so, the driver is not to complete the turn until traffic has cleared, stopped, or is coming to a stop for a red light. If the driver cannot completely enter the intersection due to traffic turning ahead of him (her, etc.), he* is expected to wait behind the stop line until the vehicle ahead of him* has cleared.
Moreover, it is considered good form to proceed as far into the intersection as is prudent before stopping to wait , leaving room behind one for other traffic turning.
Did I get that right?
*Ain't this political correctness cumbersome, sometimes?