Driving Maneuver - Legal or not?

[jacketsdb23 49]

Every morning I get quite frustrated on my way to work as many in the Bay Area do. When I get into American Canyon there is a lot of traffic congestion...we'll save the whole lets build 10,000 houses and no infrastructure discussion for later.

So when I'm turning from American Canyon Rd to Rt. 29 the exclusive right hand turn lane is backed up forever! So I just drive by the exclusive lane up to the light where there is no back up. I wait for the light to turn green and I make a right hand turn.

I don't see anything wrong with it as there are no signs or road arrows indicating I must go straight or turn left.

See attached sketch.

Some at work think its illegal. What do you think?

Losers make excuses, Winners make it happen
God is Good
Beer is Great
Swoopers are crazy.

[turtlespeed 226]

The lines on the road are NOT just suggestions.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[jacketsdb23 49]

I like my idea way better than the yahoo's who cruise past everyone then get in the exclusive right hand turn lane at the last minute cutting someone off This in turn makes the line of cars go much slower because about 5 cars per light squeeze into that right hand turn lane!

Gotta love Bay Area traffic

Losers make excuses, Winners make it happen
God is Good
Beer is Great
Swoopers are crazy.

[turtlespeed 226]

  Quote

I like my idea way better than the yahoo's who cruise past everyone then get in the exclusive right hand turn lane at the last minute cutting someone off This in turn makes the line of cars go much slower because about 5 cars per light squeeze into that right hand turn lane!

Gotta love Bay Area traffic

As in San Fransico Bay area? Well THERE is your whole problem - move to somewhere else.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[jacketsdb23 49]

But there are no arrows on the road. They may be coming soon as the whole area is kinda under construction, but for now I don't see why its illegal to turn right. We do it legally at almost every other intersection. I don't think the exclusive right hand turn lane which merges with the cross street automatically makes a right hand turn illegal.


I'm not convinced its illegal.

Losers make excuses, Winners make it happen
God is Good
Beer is Great
Swoopers are crazy.

[lawrocket 3]

California Vehicle Code section 22100:

22100. Except as provided in Section 22100.5 or 22101, the driver of any vehicle intending to turn upon a highway shall do so as follows:
(a) Right Turns. Both the approach for a right-hand turn and a right-hand turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except:
(1) Upon a highway having three marked lanes for traffic moving in one direction that terminates at an intersecting highway accommodating traffic in both directions, the driver of a vehicle in the middle lane may turn right into any lane lawfully available to
traffic moving in that direction upon the roadway being entered.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[turtlespeed 226]

  Quote

California Vehicle Code section 22100:

22100. Except as provided in Section 22100.5 or 22101, the driver of any vehicle intending to turn upon a highway shall do so as follows:
(a) Right Turns. Both the approach for a right-hand turn and a right-hand turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway except:
(1) Upon a highway having three marked lanes for traffic moving in one direction that terminates at an intersecting highway accommodating traffic in both directions, the driver of a vehicle in the middle lane may turn right into any lane lawfully available to
traffic moving in that direction upon the roadway being entered.

So - it's legal.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[jacketsdb23 49]

well...

"Upon a highway having three marked lanes for traffic moving in one direction that terminates at an intersecting highway"


I wonder if the merging lane (right hand turn lane) counts as terminating at an intersecting highway. This part might get me.

Losers make excuses, Winners make it happen
God is Good
Beer is Great
Swoopers are crazy.

[jawbreaker 0]

Probably illegal in all 50 states..but only if you get caught.

[turtlespeed 226]

  Quote

well...

"Upon a highway having three marked lanes for traffic moving in one direction that terminates at an intersecting highway"


I wonder if the merging lane (right hand turn lane) counts as terminating at an intersecting highway. This part might get me.

Maybe - but if you spout off really loud " I KNOW MY RIGHTS" to the cop that pulls you over, and then recite that to him, then you are SURE to get off the hook.

I'm not usually into the whole 3-way thing, but you got me a little excited with that. - Skymama
BTR #1 / OTB^5 Official #2 / Hellfish #408 / VSCR #108/Tortuga/Orfun

[jacketsdb23 49]

haha...yep. I'm sure he'd send me right on my way.

Losers make excuses, Winners make it happen
God is Good
Beer is Great
Swoopers are crazy.

[yardhippie 0]

  Quote

  Quote

well...

"Upon a highway having three marked lanes for traffic moving in one direction that terminates at an intersecting highway"


I wonder if the merging lane (right hand turn lane) counts as terminating at an intersecting highway. This part might get me.

Maybe - but if you spout off really loud " I KNOW MY RIGHTS" to the cop that pulls you over, and then recite that to him, then you are SURE to get off the hook.

Turtle everyone! It's not just for dinner anymore.

Oh, and people do that shit in Atlanta all the time. Might not be "illegal" but sure as hell aint safe b/c it's not in the expected actions list of other drivers. i make them confuse cuz u differnt.

Goddam dirty hippies piss me off! ~GFD
"What do I get for closing your rig?" ~ me
"Anything you want." ~ female skydiver
Mohoso Rodriguez #865

[lawrocket 3]

  Quote

well...

"Upon a highway having three marked lanes for traffic moving in one direction that terminates at an intersecting highway"


I wonder if the merging lane (right hand turn lane) counts as terminating at an intersecting highway. This part might get me.

It IS vague, isn't it? It's why I worte that you at least have an argument.

My wife is hotter than your wife.

[piratemike 0]

So I work with a team here in san mateo county where all of the members have to go through a big test before they allow us to drive county owned/maintained vehicles.

Part of the test involves watching a video of some person driving and pointing out their mistakes.

This maneuver is on there. They turn right at a intersection with a right turn lane, the turn is not made in the right turn lane.

It's legal. But it's tricky, as your crossing over that bike lane, and then having to merge into the cars making that right turn.

You shouldn't have to wait for a green in California. You just have to come to a full, complete stop before you make that right turn.

No, I must admit, it may piss me off to see you doing that if I'm in that turn lane, and see you taking the short-cut.

I also wouldn't do that if a cop is in the turn lane, you don't want to upset them.

[livendive 8]

  Quote

well...

"Upon a highway having three marked lanes for traffic moving in one direction that terminates at an intersecting highway"


I wonder if the merging lane (right hand turn lane) counts as terminating at an intersecting highway. This part might get me.

It was unclear in your picture that the road leading up to the intersection had three lanes moving in one direction.

Blues,
Dave

"I AM A PROFESSIONAL EXTREME ATHLETE!"
(drink Mountain Dew)

[AggieDave 6]

Is there any markings specifically allowing the right turn from the inside lane? If not then it is not a legal turn, at least in TX. You could be cited or worst, be liable for any traffic accident and injuries. That could includes the cars back in the line that get in an accident when you cause the accident at the front of the line.

A simple rule of thumb with traffic law is to simply not drive like a self important asshole. You're not more important then anyone else on the road, everyone needs to remember that.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[jacketsdb23 49]

didn't you see my divided white line on the far left of the sketch. That clearly indicates a third lane.

Losers make excuses, Winners make it happen
God is Good
Beer is Great
Swoopers are crazy.

[jacketsdb23 49]

There are no signs or arrows in the lane i'm turning from to indicate you can or can't turn.

To make things clear, there is a third lane to my left in the sketch.

Losers make excuses, Winners make it happen
God is Good
Beer is Great
Swoopers are crazy.

[jacketsdb23 49]

  Quote

So I work with a team here in san mateo county where all of the members have to go through a big test before they allow us to drive county owned/maintained vehicles.

Part of the test involves watching a video of some person driving and pointing out their mistakes.

This maneuver is on there. They turn right at a intersection with a right turn lane, the turn is not made in the right turn lane.

It's legal. But it's tricky, as your crossing over that bike lane, and then having to merge into the cars making that right turn.

You shouldn't have to wait for a green in California. You just have to come to a full, complete stop before you make that right turn.

No, I must admit, it may piss me off to see you doing that if I'm in that turn lane, and see you taking the short-cut.

I also wouldn't do that if a cop is in the turn lane, you don't want to upset them.

Mike - So your 100% sure about this? Because that would be fantastic.

Losers make excuses, Winners make it happen
God is Good
Beer is Great
Swoopers are crazy.

[AggieDave 6]

  Quote

There are no signs or arrows in the lane i'm turning from to indicate you can or can't turn

In CA it might be different, since in CA most things *are* different.

In TX it depends on a number of factors, but the short easy answer (without having to reference about 15 different TX traffic laws) is that if its not specifically marked as a turn only, then you can't. Even if its not marked that you can't.

--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline."

[Programmer 0]

You ARE more important than anyone else. You're a manager. If you're not there to manage that which needs to be managed, chaos could ensue. Can you live with that? Of course not. Make the turn. Get a car with more horsepower, and you won't have to worry about merging with the sheep who've allowed themselves to be herded into the approved turn lane.

[piratemike 0]

  Quote

  Quote

So I work with a team here in san mateo county where all of the members have to go through a big test before they allow us to drive county owned/maintained vehicles.

Part of the test involves watching a video of some person driving and pointing out their mistakes.

This maneuver is on there. They turn right at a intersection with a right turn lane, the turn is not made in the right turn lane.


It's legal. But it's tricky, as your crossing over that bike lane, and then having to merge into the cars making that right turn.

You shouldn't have to wait for a green in California. You just have to come to a full, complete stop before you make that right turn.

No, I must admit, it may piss me off to see you doing that if I'm in that turn lane, and see you taking the short-cut.

I also wouldn't do that if a cop is in the turn lane, you don't want to upset them.

Mike - So your 100% sure about this? Because that would be fantastic.

Well, I have a meeting with these guys this weekend. I'll see if anybody can tell me what code it falls under.

I'll update later.

[piratemike 0]

  Quote

Every morning I get quite frustrated on my way to work as many in the Bay Area do. When I get into American Canyon there is a lot of traffic congestion...we'll save the whole lets build 10,000 houses and no infrastructure discussion for later.

So when I'm turning from American Canyon Rd to Rt. 29 the exclusive right hand turn lane is backed up forever! So I just drive by the exclusive lane up to the light where there is no back up. I wait for the light to turn green and I make a right hand turn.

I don't see anything wrong with it as there are no signs or road arrows indicating I must go straight or turn left.

See attached sketch.

Some at work think its illegal. What do you think?

So is there a island in the right of this controlled intersection, or just the painted lines?

[jacketsdb23 49]

painted lines only. no physical structure. The funny thing is and the reason I ask...there are usually two City PO's on motorcycle's at that intersection. I havn't been pulled over yet, but most of the time the PO's are there writing tickets. I think its because the right hand turn only lane has a light as well. A lot of cars don't stop and run the red arrow light backing up traffic on the cross st. (Rt. 29).

More than once the Police havn't been writing tickets and I've pulled this stunt. Not sure if they saw me and decided it was legal or if they didn't see me.

It sure beats getting pissed off watching the cars squeeze into the right hand turn lane and sitting there for 10 minutes.

If i get a ticket...well I can't say I didn't try to do my homework!

Losers make excuses, Winners make it happen
God is Good
Beer is Great
Swoopers are crazy.

[woady 0]

I believe, and don't quote me on this, but I believe its okay. Its like doing U-turns on intersections that aren't marked. Can't get in trouble if it doesn't have a sign just like handicap spots without blue parking lines and a blue sign saying handicap only, fine or tow. NO TICKY, NO LAUNDRY!:) But knowing me I'm probably wrong. I do know crossing solid lines isn't legal, at least here. Like if a lane has a solid line with a dotted line, your suppose to cross the dotted line. Also the triangle (I think it is called the Trident?) when you enter onto a highway or off of is really illegal to cross if you cross and hit someone. Then its automatically your fault. Highly recommend not doing that when you impatient.

I say legal!

You know what's similar between Cops and Firefighters? They both wanna be firefighters.