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Traffic

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1. What is the best way to enter a round-about?

Round-abouts are implemented to slow traffic on thoroughfares and to increase the efficient flow of traffic at intersections which normally would be controlled by four-way stop signs or traffic signals. Think of entering a round-about as if you were making a right turn on a red light. Always yield to the traffic approaching from the left of your location. Enter when it is safe to do so, just as if you were making a right turn on red.

2. What actually constitutes "running a red light"?

At most intersections there will either be a crosswalk, a solid white line (stop bar), or both across the lanes. When both are present, the stop bar will be the closest line and that is the point at which a vehicle must be over when the light turns red in order to not be a red light violation. In the absence of the stop bar, the crosswalk becomes the point. In the absence of either, an imaginary line connecting the closest curb line of the cross street then becomes the point of no return. Often times, drivers fail to recognize where their vehicle is when the light turns red and feel that they were in the intersection at the time the light cycles from yellow to red. The most effective way to avoid running a red light is to anticipate the light cycle and prepare to stop when the light turns yellow. A red light violation carries a $130 fine and four points assessed against the driver’s license.

3. When making a left turn at an intersection and another vehicle coming the opposite way is making a left turn, should the cars pass each other then turn or turn before passing?

If you notice on controlled left-turn intersections where the lanes are marked, they are marked so that two opposing vehicles turning left are directed to turn in front of each other so that they pass right side to right side. This is the proper method when turning left at any intersection. The law does state that a driver is to execute the left turn left of the center of the intersection. In addition, exercising defensive driving, the opposing vehicle may, by a turn signal, indicate an intention to turn left but actually be going straight. Be cautious prior to turning in front until the other driver has actually initiated the left turn.