PSA: do not enter the intersection if you're not going to clear it before your light turns red

[Xyclone]

You should come to California. If you do not enter the intersection to make a left turn (presumably after it turns red), you will be honked at, because then the cars behind you won't be able to make the left turn, too. I think you can get ticketed for not entering the intersection like that here. Cali traffic would be 10x worse if people did what you were saying.

 

[Thorny]

Originally posted by: Matthias99

Originally posted by: Thorny

Originally posted by: Skeeedunt
I don't care what the law is, it's still dick to intentionally enter the intersection knowing you're going to hold up an entire lane of cars for half a light.

I can't argue that. I have a light close to my work where people do that. There is a light 2 blocks down that traffic always backs up at, and people will block the intersection even though there is a sign the specifically prohibits blocking the street. I usually just honk to get thier attention and then point at the sign.

NYC has these signs all over the place. Apparently the tickets are nasty too (some signs indicate you will get 2 points on your license -- as bad as two moving violations for insurance rates -- for gridlocking that intersection!)

As for IL, I take it people are referring to this rule (see links above):

If you enter an intersection while the light is green, you may finish your turn even though the light turns red.

(emphasis added)

Please note the bolded text. If for some reason you get stopped in the intersection (pedestrian jumps out in front of you, car in front of you brakes suddently, etc.), you can finish your turn after the light turns red. Oncoming traffic should wait for you to clear the intersection before entering it in this case. If the light is yellow you are supposed to stop before the intersection. In many places (not sure about IL) you are not supposed to enter an intersection even if the light is green if it is obvious you will not be able to exit it, and it's never a very good idea.

Edit: post above pointed out another rule saying the same (don't enter an intersection unless you can clear it before the light turns red).

In IL you can enter the intersection on a yellow light. The only time I get caught in an intersection after the light turns is when I'm turning left and there is oncoming traffic. Most of IL is small town america where traffic isn't an issue. I did not have gridlock traffic in mind when I posted the links. I agree with the OP that people that block the intersection are asshats.