# Turning Left On Red (If Clear) In NC?

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-left-on-red-if-clear-in-nc/185269>\
**Category:** Factual Questions\
**Created:** [June 30, 2003, 2:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-left-on-red-if-clear-in-nc/185269 "2003-06-30T02:11:53Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 5\
**Page:** 2

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![butler1850](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/779978/32.png) [@butler1850](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/butler1850)\
**Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 5:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-left-on-red-if-clear-in-nc/185269/21 "2003-06-30T17:58:27Z")

</div>

> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by dutchboy208 \*  
> \*\*Sunspace… I defy you to show me a production vehicle sold in the US which only weighs one ton… \*\*

My Ford Festiva (ok, not in production any more, but they are still on the road), was 1800 lbs with all it’s fluids in it.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Frank\_2](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/8c91f0/32.png) [@Frank\_2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frank_2)\
**Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-left-on-red-if-clear-in-nc/185269/22 "2003-06-30T18:45:25Z")

</div>

> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Chronos \*  
> \*\*In Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Montana, at least, it’s customary for intersections to go to flashing at slow times, like late at night. \*\*

I’ve never seen a light change from normal green/yellow/red to flashing yellow/red in these parts of PA (southeast, around Philly).

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crankyasanoldman/32/11670_2.png) [@CrankyAsAnOldMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CrankyAsAnOldMan)\
**Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-left-on-red-if-clear-in-nc/185269/23 "2003-06-30T20:19:41Z")

</div>

In Michigan, it is legal to make a left turn from a two-way street onto a one-way street when you’ve got the red.

I’ve lived here for ten years and it still gives me a giddy thrill when I do it. It just feels so illegal.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Cervaise](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cervaise/32/16693_2.png) [@Cervaise](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cervaise)\
**Post date:** [June 30, 2003, 9:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-left-on-red-if-clear-in-nc/185269/24 "2003-06-30T21:40:43Z")

</div>

For what it’s worth, here in Seattle, there is at least one left-turn lane whose stoplight shows a solid (not flashing) red arrow, plus a sign that says, in effect, “Stop first, then turn if it’s safe.” It’s in the University District. So yes, it can be done.

---

<div class="post-metadata">

**Author:** ![Balthisar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/balthisar/32/2825_2.png) [@Balthisar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Balthisar)\
**Post date:** [July 1, 2003, 12:39am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-left-on-red-if-clear-in-nc/185269/25 "2003-07-01T00:39:57Z")

</div>

> [@](#):
>
> \*Originally posted by Chronos \*  
> **Wouldn’t that be a left turn on green? And that has to be legal already, since at most intersections that’s the only way to make a left turn.**

No, I meant at the intersection, you are in the left turn lane. There is still traffic flowing to your right, going the same direction you’re facing. They have a green light. There is also traffic coming against you. They have a green light. YOU have a red light or a red arrow. Thus, you can’t turn on a red light, because YOUR light is red, right?

[Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/turning-left-on-red-if-clear-in-nc/185269.md?page=1)