Almost Totalled my car... advise
06-20-2013, 04:48 PM
#26
Out Of Control!!
So today I was driving down a city street here in Waterloo which is two lanes in either direction and city parking set in from the two lanes so the right lane although free is quite tight. I was approaching an intersection in the right lane where the light was red but I saw the light would become green before I got into the intersection so I continued at my speed (which was slower than the limit of 50km/h because the lane is tight). Just before entering the intersection a FEDEX truck turns left and almost hits me as Im proceeding straight through. Thankfully I was in S+ and SPORT and yanked the wheel to the right and pulled a perfect last second 90 degree drift-turn and missed the truck by what felt like millimetres! I saved my car and we didnt touch. I pulled to the right and parked as the FEDEX driver did so as well. He began screaming at me telling me I am an idiot and was going "Way over the speed limit" ... I wasnt because there was enough traffic and lots of pedestrian traffic not to mention the rediculous bumps which I cant take over 50km/h lowered on H&Rs. I took a picture of his plate and told him he should be aware that traffic could be coming through on a green light in the right lane despite the person was stopped in the left making a left turn. I was very calm for some odd reason but the guy was livid as if I did something wrong, Thankfully a older woman saw the incident and told me that I entered the intersection on the green (as it was green for about 3 seconds). I have her phone number and she said she would testify if she needed me too. Im tempted to go to the police station and see if they got the event on camera as I know I had done absolutely nothing wrong and actually saved a collision!
Sounds like he may have entered the intersection UNDER A GREEN and PRIOR TO YOU, so he had the right of way.
A Green Light only gives you permission to enter the intersection, it does NOT give you the right of way.
06-20-2013, 05:19 PM
#28
MBWorld Fanatic!
if you're in the intersection waiting to go and the light turns red for you... and now it's green for the traffic coming from the other direction... you would now have to yield to the traffic coming from the other direction and try and safely turn...
06-20-2013, 05:52 PM
#29
Out Of Control!!
The wording varies by state.
Here in NY.
http://www.dmv.ny.gov/dmanual/chapter05-manual.htm
Here in NY.
Here are the right-of-way rules, with examples of how they apply on the road:
- A driver approaching an intersection must yield the right-of-way to traffic already lawfully using the intersection.
Example: You are nearing an intersection. The traffic light is green, and you want to drive straight through. Another vehicle is already in the intersection, turning left. You must let that vehicle complete its turn before you enter the intersection.
06-20-2013, 06:36 PM
#30
MBWorld Fanatic!
06-20-2013, 06:45 PM
#31
Out Of Control!!
yeah i figured it could be different for each state... honestly... if being in the intersection is illegal after the light turns red while waiting to turn... there are definitely some places where it's going to take a loooooooooong time to make that left turn... since not all intersections have a protected left turn
Almost all the rules are about "entering" the intersection.
06-20-2013, 07:01 PM
#33
Out Of Control!!
That would have had to been one quick FedEx truck to get from a stop in the left turn lane to his lane 'just before entering the intersection' if it was no already in the intersection.
06-20-2013, 07:34 PM
#34
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
glad you were able to dodge it... even though a person can be cautious and doing everything right, something unexpected can still happen...
the cars who had the green light actually left pretty late... if any of them left when it turned green... there could have been a crash
the cars who had the green light actually left pretty late... if any of them left when it turned green... there could have been a crash
06-20-2013, 07:37 PM
#35
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
In Ontario if you are making a left on a green you must wait until the intersection is clear and safe to do so. You have no "right of way" if you enter it first but there is oncoming traffic that now must stop for you to proceed with your turn.
Last edited by VaclavSV; 06-20-2013 at 07:40 PM.
06-20-2013, 08:12 PM
#36
Out Of Control!!
It was close to the second one except they didnt have an advanced green. The car in my direction in the left lane was stopped trying to go left and so was the Fed Ex truck opposite to us. The truck made a left turn as I was proceeding straight on a green. To my knowledge he is supposed to wait until the intersection is clear before making his turn. Its not my fault that his vision was obstructed by the car to my left. He shouldnt have made the turn!
06-20-2013, 11:49 PM
#37
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what is this post about? the OP did a fast and furious-style "last second 90 degree drift-turn", and now needs an opinion on whether to go and cry to the police about the whole thing? WHAT???
Well, at least he got the old lady' phone number
How come I can't rotate my car 90 degrees in SPORT mode? These Canadian-spec cars are set up so much better!
Well, at least he got the old lady' phone number
How come I can't rotate my car 90 degrees in SPORT mode? These Canadian-spec cars are set up so much better!
Last edited by esses; 06-21-2013 at 12:07 AM.
06-21-2013, 12:40 AM
#40
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
what is this post about? the OP did a fast and furious-style "last second 90 degree drift-turn", and now needs an opinion on whether to go and cry to the police about the whole thing? WHAT???
Well, at least he got the old lady' phone number
How come I can't rotate my car 90 degrees in SPORT mode? These Canadian-spec cars are set up so much better!
Well, at least he got the old lady' phone number
How come I can't rotate my car 90 degrees in SPORT mode? These Canadian-spec cars are set up so much better!
06-21-2013, 12:46 AM
#41
MBWorld Fanatic!
Thread Starter
It wasnt that there was not enough space for him to safely make his turn. He failed to notice traffic (myself) in the right lane and began his turn. I had the right of way at the intersection. If youre making a left turn and someone is infront of you making a left in the opposite direction, blocking your sight, do you make the turn on faith that no one is there? or do you inch forward until you can see what is oncoming and then make your turn when it is clear!? -Thats what I thought.
06-21-2013, 03:28 AM
#42
Super Member
Advice from an older guy who is a lawyer albeit in another country, put it down to an experience and get on with your life. Stuff happens and that is all that has happened here, stuff.
06-21-2013, 08:39 AM
#43
I dont know why Canadians get so worked up about altercations like these.
I see them all the time here in South Florida.
06-21-2013, 08:59 AM
#44
Out Of Control!!
Did a little more reading, and guess what.
He was right!
Apparently in Canada, the person making a Left Turn has the least right of way and must yield to just about everyone else.
This is really odd, since Canada usually favors moves to the left
06-21-2013, 09:53 AM
#46
Out Of Control!!
06-21-2013, 10:32 AM
#47
Member
Good question. Reading this thread, guys on the left (or making a left turn) must yield to everyone. Typical of those that made a left turn in life. When a good percentage of the drivers are carrying, you tend to be more courteous, matter of survival.
06-21-2013, 01:13 PM
#49
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driver sounds lame!!
you did the right thing, but I'd just let it go brother,
good luck
you did the right thing, but I'd just let it go brother,
good luck
