real basic traffic question

[LongCoolMother]

http://pics.apartment808.com/users/Mikel/traffic.JPG

is it legal to make a right on red by moving into the bike lane like this?

for example, you are approaching from behind, its a red light, and you want to make a right turn. there are already several cars in front of you that are stopped by the red light in the right lane. so, you proceed to move further right (basically into the bike lane completely) and squeeze through the traffic and make the right turn.

is this legal? i always thought it was but recently i had a friend who got into a minor accident in which he was at fault because of doing this. supposedly you are only allowed to do this when there is one of those right on red divider things.

im wondering if this is a traffic violation, as i see it happen everywhere. i do it too, and i dont want to continue to do it if its in fact, illegal.

 

[Wheatmaster]

i don't think so.

 

[Pacfanweb]

In my state, N.C, the answer is no.

My wife got a ticket for improper passing for going around some cars that were waiting to turn right.
The lane split into a Y at the light, for people going straight and those turning right. The lane is pretty wide just before it becomes 2 lanes....she didn't cross any line or ride on any medians. 2 cars can easily fit in one lane at that point.
The cop was in line to turn right and pulled her.

 

[Ikonomi]

No, that's illegal.

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: Wheatmaster
i don't think so.

 

[imported_Kckazdude]

Most locales will give you a ticket as it is a violation for a motor vehicle to be in a bike lane. However I have been guilty of this practice as well.

 

[nageov3t]

I never seen a bike lane in my life, but I do it all the time, especially if the person in front of me is making a right but not taking advantage of the whole right-on-red thing.

as far as I'm concerned, in those situations I'm just navigating around a vehicle that obviously stalled or overheated or something 😉

 

[Wheatmaster]

i think that's why they call it the bike lane 🙂

 

[helpme]

In Poway, CA the bike lanes become dashed as you approach a corner such as you pictured. This leads me to believe you can enter the bike lane to make a right turn. I guess another reason why I don't ride on the street at all if I can help it, trails only 🙂.

 

[bsobel]

Originally posted by: helpme
In Poway, CA the bike lanes become dashed as you approach a corner such as you pictured. This leads me to believe you can enter the bike lane to make a right turn. I guess another reason why I don't ride on the street at all if I can help it, trails only 🙂.

Your right. If the lane goes dashed, that is the area where it is legal to cross and make the turn. Moving over the solid line would be illegal.
Bill

 

[Ryuson99]

In NYC its illegal to turn on red.

 

[PCTweaker5]

Originally posted by: loki8481
I never seen a bike lane in my life, but I do it all the time, especially if the person in front of me is making a right but not taking advantage of the whole right-on-red thing.

as far as I'm concerned, in those situations I'm just navigating around a vehicle that obviously stalled or overheated or something 😉

If youve never seen a bike lane than how can you do it all the time?

 

[MrCodeDude]

Yep, it's illegal.

A guy who goes to our school failed his Driving Test because he went right on red from the right turn lane. But he did a "California Rolling Stop." So automatic fail 🙂

 

[Kyle]

In Oregon and theres not a bike lane you can only pass one car on the right....any more and it's illegal. Not sure about the bike lane part though

 

[PowerMacG5]

Originally posted by: Ryuson99
In NYC its illegal to turn on red.

That's NYC. Come to Long Island, or go upstate, and as long as there is no sign that says "No right on red" you can turn on red.

Also, lets see if anyone knows this answer:
When is the only time it is legal to make a left on red?

 

[Kyle]

Originally posted by: Marauder911

Originally posted by: Ryuson99
In NYC its illegal to turn on red.

That's NYC. Come to Long Island, or go upstate, and as long as there is no sign that says "No right on red" you can turn on red.

Also, lets see if anyone knows this answer:
When is the only time it is legal to make a left on red?

if the street your turning on is one way

 

[PowerMacG5]

Originally posted by: Kyle

Originally posted by: Marauder911

Originally posted by: Ryuson99
In NYC its illegal to turn on red.

That's NYC. Come to Long Island, or go upstate, and as long as there is no sign that says "No right on red" you can turn on red.

Also, lets see if anyone knows this answer:
When is the only time it is legal to make a left on red?

if the street your turning on is one way

Half right. You have to be making a left turn from a one way street also (or, you could get hit by someone making a left off of the one way street).

 

[Kyle]

Originally posted by: Marauder911

Originally posted by: Kyle

Originally posted by: Marauder911

Originally posted by: Ryuson99
In NYC its illegal to turn on red.

That's NYC. Come to Long Island, or go upstate, and as long as there is no sign that says "No right on red" you can turn on red.

Also, lets see if anyone knows this answer:
When is the only time it is legal to make a left on red?

if the street your turning on is one way

Half right. You have to be making a left turn from a one way street also (or, you could get hit by someone making a left off of the one way street).

Ahh, see I'm from Oregon
SO I'M RIGHT!!! 😉


state by state comparison of laws