So in Sacramento there is a section of elevated highway that runs east/west over the older, gridwork streets of downtown. The exit ramp for 5th Street comes down parallel to the highway and meets the intersection of 5th Street and X Street. X street is one way and runs west to east. 5th Street is also one way, running south to north. So, when you come down the exit ramp, you run parallel to X Street for a little bit and then, at the intersection, you have a choice between continuing east by merging onto X Street or turning left to head north on 5th Street.
Okay so far? Both streets and the exit ramp each have their own stoplight and there is a handy “three way signal” sign posted on the stoplight for the cars waiting to turn left from the exit ramp onto 5th Street. IMHO, this sign is to remind you that people could be turning left from X Street onto 5th, bringing them right across your path. In California, it is legal to turn left on a red light if you are going from 1 one way street onto another. Personally, at this particular intersection, I like to wait until I have a green light to turn left from the exit ramp onto 5th street because of the difficulty in telling when cars will be turning from the parallel running X Street.
So there I am, waiting patiently, first in line to turn left from the exit ramp. The car behind me curls around to my right and turns left against the light onto 5th Street. A split second later, the light goes green and I turn and catch up with this uncivilized cretin at the next light.
Me: “Why did you do that?”
Him: “It’s okay to turn left against the light there.”
Me: “But you can’t tell if someone is going to turn from the other street.”
Him: “I was looking. It was clear.”
Me: “So it’s okay to cut me in line?”
Him: <begins a nervous/flustered sort of laugh>
the light changes
Me: “That was really safe, guy.” drives away.
So, what’s the verdict of internet stragers? I still think that you aren’t supposed to turn left against the light there, but I guess since a prohibition isn’t specifically posted, it’s okay. But on this asswipe, I call down the pox of a thousand camel fleas. May his shoes be too tight and may his boss want nothing from him other than grabass and coffee. :mad:
It’s not so much the legallity of the turn that bugs me, it’s the fact that he jumped me in line. WTF? He had to wait all of another second before the light turned and jumping me in line only got him to the next stoplight that much sooner.
There’s the line of cars of people waiting to merge from the exit ramp onto X street that blocks the view of people turning left from X Street onto 5th. There’s also a cement island inbetween the exit ramp and the parallel X Street with assorted lights, signs, etc. So, it’s not the clearest view. But whatever, maybe it is leagal. Still, line jumping? How legal is that?
I don’t think I’m making myself clear. The intersection is hard to explain. The jerk squished around me in my lane in order to jump me in line and turn left. It wasn’t a matter of him turning left from the wrong lane. Does that make sense?
AFAIK, it is legal in many places in the states (I’ll stop short of saying everywhere) to make a left turn FROM a one-way TO a one-way. That’s, of course, after coming to a full and complete stop, turning safely, and unless otherwise marked.
Since it wasn’t otherwise marked as unlawful, I’d hazard a guess that it is considered safe enough to turn left there.
The turn is legal, but the other driver’s behavior clearly was not. In cutting across you, he made an improper lane change (unless your vehicle was clearly immobilized) and could be ticketed with such. Just because you are able to turn on a red light does not require that you turn, and many vehicles, like school buses and tanker trucks, often do not turn on red lights as a matter of district/company policy, period. I get aggravated at drivers that do not show sufficient “go”–like those that choose to inch up the on-ramp and wait for an opening in traffic rather that come up to traffic speed and merge–but as long as they aren’t actively impeding traffic or driving in a recklessly indifferent manner they’ve the same rights to the road as anyone. (I still think Buick drivers need to be removed from circulation, though. ::snark:
That being said, pulling along side him and demanding an explaination probably wasn’t the brightest thing to do, either. It can be construed as being aggressive or threatening, and doesn’t really accomplish anything, aside from perhaps making the driver feel validated in pissing you off.
Thanks, meanoldman and Stranger. And yeah, I know questioning him like that could have got me shot in certain parts of California. He surprised me so much I honestly wanted to know what was running through his head. That’s why my curse in the OP isn’t all that strong. Don’t want to incure reverse-revenge.
On the other hand, it is rather sad that someone can’t call out another person’s stupidity for fear of reprisals. Might makes right and the good must be meek and all that.
</angst>
