# Interesction right of way question **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [January 13, 2016, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesction-right-of-way-question/743034 "2016-01-13T14:41:59Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![rainy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@rainy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rainy)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 2:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesction-right-of-way-question/743034/1 "2016-01-13T14:41:59Z")
Two cars approach an intersection. Car A, approaching from the west, is making a left hand turn (not a protected left, just a left hand turn on a green light, sign says “Left turn yield on green” ). Car B, approaching from the east, is making a right hand turn from a turn only lane with a yield sign. Which car has the right of way? Georgia, USA. Bonus points for citing the statute. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 2:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesction-right-of-way-question/743034/2 "2016-01-13T14:53:05Z")
Does B’s lane have a dedicated light? What color is it? ---
**Author:** ![Inigo\_Montoya](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inigo_montoya/32/124_2.png) [@Inigo\_Montoya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inigo_Montoya)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesction-right-of-way-question/743034/3 "2016-01-13T14:58:54Z")
Typically, the right turner has right of way because the left-turner owes the yield. [QUOTE=Georgia code 40-6-71] The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left within an intersection or into an alley, private road, or driveway shall yield the right of way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard. [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![rainy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@rainy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rainy)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesction-right-of-way-question/743034/4 "2016-01-13T15:36:02Z")
> [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](#): > > Does B’s lane have a dedicated light? What color is it? B’s lane does not have a dedicated light. ---
**Author:** ![SmellMyWort](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ea5d25/32.png) [@SmellMyWort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SmellMyWort)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesction-right-of-way-question/743034/5 "2016-01-13T15:55:15Z")
Often these types of intersections are set up so that the right hand turn has a dedicated lane that branches off of the through lane with it joining the cross traffic lane 15-50 feet past the intersection. If the left-turner can see that the oncoming driver intends to turn right (signal and/or moving to the turn lane) and it is safe to proceed otherwise, then he/she can make the turn. Since he/she is now in the primary lane, the right turner will need to yield. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesction-right-of-way-question/743034/6 "2016-01-13T15:56:25Z")
This may be the first time I’ve ever seen Driver’s Ed homework on GQ. 😕 ---
**Author:** ![somepumpkin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7feea3/32.png) [@somepumpkin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/somepumpkin)\ **Post date:** [January 13, 2016, 4:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesction-right-of-way-question/743034/7 "2016-01-13T16:59:05Z")
The right-turning car has the right of way until he hits the left-turning car. At that point he has failed to yield. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesction-right-of-way-question/743034/8 "2016-01-14T04:34:17Z")
Are your cars made of bosons or fermions? If bosons, they could both turn into the same lane at the same time without any right-of-way conflicts. If we could make all our cars of bosons instead of fermions, there would be a lot fewer traffic accidents. ---
**Author:** ![SigMan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/13edae/32.png) [@SigMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SigMan)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 5:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesction-right-of-way-question/743034/9 "2016-01-14T05:16:05Z")
The right of way belongs to a bigger person. 😛 ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 6:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesction-right-of-way-question/743034/11 "2016-01-14T06:45:49Z")
Is there a real-life intersection that has both a traffic light and a yield sign as described? ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 12:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesction-right-of-way-question/743034/12 "2016-01-14T12:44:14Z")
> [@rainy](#): > > Which car has the right of way? Neither. GA law does not say who has the right of way; it says who is required to yield it. > [@Gary\_T](#): > > Is there a real-life intersection that has both a traffic light and a yield sign as described? Yes, although maybe what I’m imagining isn’t what the OP is describing. The right lane usually does a curve thing and might have a painted quasi-median between it and the next lane to the left. However, I’ve never seen an example as described by the OP, if I’m understanding it correctly. Does B have both a green light _and_ a yield sign, and it isn’t off doing it’s own thing away from the through-lanes? I’d need a picture. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 1:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesction-right-of-way-question/743034/13 "2016-01-14T13:26:16Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > Are your cars made of bosons or fermions? If bosons, they could both turn into the same lane at the same time without any right-of-way conflicts. If we could make all our cars of bosons instead of fermions, there would be a lot fewer traffic accidents. This must explain the thinking of people who tailgate me at around a car length or less when there are cars in front of me. They must not have taken that course on the Pauli Exclusion Principle and so assume that I can occupy the same space as the car in front of me. ---
**Author:** ![MacCat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maccat/32/216_2.png) [@MacCat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MacCat)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesction-right-of-way-question/743034/14 "2016-01-14T13:35:53Z")
> [@SmellMyWort](#): > > Often these types of intersections are set up so that the right hand turn has a dedicated lane that branches off of the through lane with it joining the cross traffic lane 15-50 feet past the intersection. There’s a local intersection here that is configured similarly, except the right hand turning lane has a stop sign. When the light is green, nobody stops for the stop sign. Very bizarre to have both a traffic light and a stop sign at the same stop line. ---
**Author:** ![Jackmannii](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jackmannii/32/311_2.png) [@Jackmannii](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jackmannii)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 1:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesction-right-of-way-question/743034/15 "2016-01-14T13:50:57Z")
On my way to work there’s an intersection with stop signs for both oncoming left-hand turning drivers and those opposite drivers intending to turn right. Certain left-hand turners believe that if they’ve had to wait what they feel to be an overly long time at their stop sign, they can proceed onward even if it means hitting the drivers turning right. This flies in the face of what I was taught, but I haven’t specifically referenced Ohio law on the subject. ---
**Author:** ![Isilder](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/cc9497/32.png) [@Isilder](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Isilder)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 2:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesction-right-of-way-question/743034/16 "2016-01-14T14:25:33Z")
> [@Gary\_T](#): > > Is there a real-life intersection that has both a traffic light and a yield sign as described? The yield sign is redundant, and its not specifically clear what it adds to the place anyway. Lots of intersections have a secondary little lane way joining it, and there’s a sign there saying “BLOODY GIVE WAY, the traffic light is NOT giving you right of way !” I’d treat it as a yield/give way to everyone… ---
**Author:** ![Orwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/dfb087/32.png) [@Orwell](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Orwell)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 3:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesction-right-of-way-question/743034/17 "2016-01-14T15:49:06Z")
> [@Gary\_T](#): > > Is there a real-life intersection that has both a traffic light and a yield sign as described? There is one within a quarter mile of me right now, if I am understanding the situation. [intersection looking West](https://www.google.com/maps/@40.3359405,-78.3905249,3a,75y,296.79h,93.39t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sCczW-w6-UtzO08Mot82H6w!2e0!7i3328!8i1664) If you are traveling west and either going straight, you wait for the green light, and you have the right of way. If you are traveling west and turning left, you wait for the green light and yield to oncoming traffic. If you are traveling west and turning right, there is a yield sign indicating you must yield to traffic heading north, whether coming from the south (straight through the intersection) or from the west (turning left at the intersection). It is a bit confusing, and there are occasional accidents, but most drivers go slow and cautiously through the intersection in all directions. If I am heading east and turning left, I proceed expecting those coming the other way turning right to stop and yield. ---
**Author:** ![Peremensoe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/ce7236/32.png) [@Peremensoe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peremensoe)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesction-right-of-way-question/743034/18 "2016-01-14T15:56:53Z")
> [@MacCat](#): > > There’s a local intersection here that is configured similarly, except the right hand turning lane has a stop sign. When the light is green, nobody stops for the stop sign. Very bizarre to have both a traffic light and a stop sign at the same stop line. If I understand your description correctly, they’re not really the same stop line; the turning lane has already diverged, as it were, and is meant to be separately controlled. The light is for the through-lanes, the stop sign for the turning lane. Turning vehicles should stop before turns regardless of the light. ---
**Author:** ![rainy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/c2a13f/32.png) [@rainy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rainy)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesction-right-of-way-question/743034/19 "2016-01-14T16:11:03Z")
> [@Gary\_T](#): > > Is there a real-life intersection that has both a traffic light and a yield sign as described? Yes it is. Here is a link to some views combined into a single picture. [https://picasaweb.google.com/113640496318919632413/Intersection?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCNu53bKErKTD7wE&feat=directlink](https://picasaweb.google.com/113640496318919632413/Intersection?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCNu53bKErKTD7wE&feat=directlink) ---
**Author:** ![Ruken](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/f475e1/32.png) [@Ruken](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ruken)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 4:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesction-right-of-way-question/743034/20 "2016-01-14T16:21:15Z")
Link isn’t working for me. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2016, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesction-right-of-way-question/743034/21 "2016-01-14T16:23:52Z")
> [@Orwell](#): > > There is one within a quarter mile of me right now, if I am understanding the situation. > > [intersection looking West](https://www.google.com/maps/@40.3359405,-78.3905249,3a,75y,296.79h,93.39t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sCczW-w6-UtzO08Mot82H6w!2e0!7i3328!8i1664) This is pretty much what I thought the OP was describing. My thought is that the right turn lane, being separated from the heart of the intersection by a small island, is not actually part of the intersection. It’s more like an on-ramp that joins the cross street. So back to the OP, the vehicle turning left must yield to vehicles in or about to enter the intersection, but is not required to yield to vehicles in this right-turn ramp. Those vehicles must yield to vehicles on the cross street. > [@rainy](#): > > Yes it is. > > Here is a link to some views combined into a single picture. > > [https://picasaweb.google.com/113640496318919632413/Intersection?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCNu53bKErKTD7wE&feat=directlink](https://picasaweb.google.com/113640496318919632413/Intersection?authuser=0&authkey=Gv1sRgCNu53bKErKTD7wE&feat=directlink) And then this, the actual situation in the OP, is a different kettle of fish. It’s all clearly in the intersection. I’m wondering why in the world is there a yield sign there. It seems like both vehicles should yield – the left-turner, because it’s turning left into an intersection, and the right-turner, because it has a yield sign. Don’t make no sense. ☹ [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/interesction-right-of-way-question/743034.md?page=2)