Description
This happens EVERYWHERE, but I have noticed that at this intersection is is really bad. Cars heading West on Mentor Ave that want to turn Left and head South on 306. They are always WAY past the white line, then the light changes and they are blocking the intersection for the cars turning left on to Mentor Ave from 306 North. I see it everyday. I realize that once the light changes that you can't BACK up because there is someone behind you, but half of these people seem oblivious that they are 2 car lengths past the white line painted on the pavement. Maybe someone needs to paint the line neon orange to get them to notice it.
6 Comments
M. Parks (Guest)
It seems to be a municpal gold-mine if this traffic were to be enforced.
GeaugaTruck (Guest)
When waiting for a left turn, NEVER wait behind the white line. Pull well into the intersection while the light is green and proceed after the light turns red to stop oncoming traffic. Once you have crossed the white line, you ARE in the intersection and and can go when the traffic permits orthe light changes. This is the proper procedure for making a left turn. The presence of a left turn light/lane is of no consequense to the left turn law.
Voice of Reason (Guest)
Geauga Truck, your statement is misguided. WHile this may be of use to truck drivers, it is illegal. By law you are not to enter an intersection until you can safely make the complete movement. Advice like yours helps cause gridlock situations in heavy traffic across the US.
GeaugaTruck (Guest)
I researched the ORC (Ohio Revised Code) for this subject. You are correct only to the point that pulling into the intersection if the roadway into which I wish to if full of traffic and I cannot enter it. I am entitled to enter the intersection to turn, but I am obligated to yield the right of way to oncoming traffic. Nowhere does the law indicate that the left turn has to be completed in one complete motion. There is a large distinction between not being able to leave the intersection because of piled-up traffic, and not being able to complete the turn because of on-coming traffic. If your scenario were true, one would sit in traffic forever waiting to turn left. A green light and the absence of traffic where I want to go is all the law requires. Oncoming traffic has the right-of-way as long as the light remains green.
Guest (Guest)
Cannot enter an intersection until the intersection is clear of traffic.
On the other hand You cannot enter the intersection when the light turns green until the traffic in the intersection clears. Even tho the traffic is going thru the red light.
Catch 22. Tell it to the Judge.
The_Unknown_Surfer (Guest)
Bottom line, the original poster is correct about drivers at this specific intersection.
There is a left turn arrow there at the beginning of the light cycle. Stay behind the line and just wait for the light to cycle through, and then make your left turn safely, and without blocking the double lane left turn southbound 306 to east bound Mentor Ave. traffic. Everbody is so impatient these days. Will it really cause you irreperable harm to wait through 1 more light cycle just to be safe and not cause a traffic problem?