Question

Difficulty: MediumRight-of-Way Rules at Intersections

You are driving south and approaching an intersection controlled by a standard circular green light. You intend to make a left turn onto the intersecting street. At the same time, an oncoming vehicle is driving north straight through the intersection, and a pedestrian is stepping into the crosswalk of the street you are turning onto. Which action legally complies with right-of-way rules?

  1. Yield the right-of-way to both the oncoming northbound vehicle and the pedestrian in the crosswalk before executing your left turn.Answer
  2. B
    Proceed with your left turn first because a solid green light gives turning vehicles automatic right-of-way over oncoming traffic.
  3. C
    Yield to the oncoming vehicle, but proceed across the crosswalk ahead of the pedestrian since turning vehicles on green have priority over pedestrians.
  4. D
    Drive into the middle of the intersection and stop completely until the signal turns red so cross-traffic must yield to you.

Answer

Yield the right-of-way to both the oncoming northbound vehicle and the pedestrian in the crosswalk before executing your left turn.
When executing an unprotected left turn at a circular green light, drivers are legally required to yield the right-of-way to both oncoming straight-through traffic and any pedestrians crossing the street into which the vehicle is turning.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Determine signal state and movement classification.
A circular green light permits left turns on an unprotected basis.
Because there is no green arrow displayed, turning traffic does not have right-of-way priority.
2
Identify right-of-way priorities for oncoming vehicular traffic.
The northbound vehicle traveling straight has primary right-of-way.
Standard intersection laws mandate that drivers turning left yield to oncoming vehicles moving straight through the intersection.
3
Identify right-of-way priorities for vulnerable road users.
The pedestrian entering the crosswalk has right-of-way.
Drivers making any turn must yield to pedestrians lawfully crossing within marked or unmarked crosswalks.

Key Concept

Unprotected Left Turn Right-of-Way Priority
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