Q&A - Left Turn on Yellow
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Is it within the Motor Vehicle Act to enter an intersection on a yellow light with the intent to turn left only if you stop first before entering the intersection?
Same question except you don't stop before you enter the intersection.
Comments
Answer
A yellow light requires that you stop before entering the intersection unless it is unsafe to do so:
Yellow light
128 (1) When a yellow light alone is exhibited at an intersection by a traffic control signal, following the exhibition of a green light,
(a) the driver of a vehicle approaching the intersection and facing the yellow light must cause it to stop before entering the marked crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if there is no marked crosswalk, before entering the intersection, unless the stop cannot be made in safety,
So, your example number one is definitely illegal. You've stopped so you must stay stopped until the light turns green again. Example two will also be illegal if it is safe for you to stop.
It has nothing to do with turning left, specifically!
Two things that I've always tried to make clear to new drivers, in order to help them not only to pass their Road Test, but to drive legally and successfully where traffic lights are concerned.
while waiting to turn left on a left turn arrow
while stopped and waiting to turn left on a left turn arrow (permissive left turn), once we get the left turn arrow and waiting for our turn because of left turning vehicles ahead, if we are still behind the pedestrian line when the arrow turns yellow, can we still make a left turn or are we supposed to get into the intersection and wait?
Wait
If you have not entered the intersection you must remain stopped if the red light comes on.
What if the left turn arrow
What if the left turn arrow turns yellow, can I enter the intersection at that point to make the turn? Thank you.
Yellow Means Stop
If you are outside of the intersection and sitting still, you must stay stopped. If moving and it is safe to stop, you must stop.
Thanks again, In a permissive
Thanks again, In a permissive left turn (NOT protected left turn), can we move into the intersection when the arrow is yellow and wait for a safe gap
or are we supposed to first come to a stop on a yellow arrow and then move into the intersection only after the green light turns on (the green light that comes on after the yellow arrow)?
Yellow Arrow
A yellow arrow works the same way as a round yellow light.
Thank you for the crystal
Thank you for the crystal clear answer :)