Julie from Centennial writes, “What's driving you crazy? I have a green arrow to turn left. Do I have to yield to an oncoming car turning right? I think I do not have to yield, but the woman driving the other car seemed to think she had the right of way. Hand gestures ensued. Driver’s Handbook is not helpful at all. Can you answer my question?”
I took your question Julie to an Arapahoe County Sheriff deputy. The deputy tells me it really depends on the configuration of the traffic light at the intersection. In your scenario, since you had the green left turn arrow, then the right turning driver should have seen a red light. That would give you the right of way for that movement. Green over red.
Let’s say the interchange doesn’t have a turn arrow. If the driver in the car turning right has a green light at the same time as you when you attempt to make a left, then you, in the car turning left, must yield the right of away to the right turning driver. However, if the driver in the car turning right has a red light, then you in the car turning left would have the right of away even though your light might be red as well.
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The reason for that difference at an intersection without the turn arrow is to make sure you, as the left turning driver when the light turns yellow or red, can clear the intersection safely before cross traffic starts moving. The deputy also wanted to add that you still want to always proceed into any intersection with caution, even if you have a green light.
I’m happy to say for your situation Julie, you did have the right of way and the right turning driver did not. As for hand gestures, the only one I wish I would see more of is the friendly wave after I let you in while we zipper merge.
Denver7 traffic anchor Jayson Luber says he has been covering Denver-metro traffic since Ben-Hur was driving a chariot. (We believe the actual number is over 20 years.) He's obsessed with letting viewers know what's happening on their drive and the best way to avoid the problems that spring up. Follow him on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram or listen to his Driving You Crazy podcast on iTunes , Stitcher , Google Play or Podbean.
