Originally Posted by
aERonAUtical96
So I've had this happen a couple times now so I'm curious what others do. Approaching a red light with cars and I am turning left. Normally I lane split to get to the front. I proceed on the green arrow. The cars across the intersection tend to "freeze" when they see me take off... they think I'm going straight even tho I'm in the left turn lane. If I notice them, I will give a signal that I'm going left.
My question/thought... do you head to the front of the line? Do you tuck in behind the first or 2nd car? Do you just get in position wherever it happens to be? I'm thinking of stopping myself from moving to the front of the line if I'm turning. By sitting behind a car or two, I guess I get a little protection and if I take off I can sit on their bumper until I get through the turn.
Opinions?
Better to move to the left turn lane during a gap between platoons than to try to filter up between stopped traffic. What if the green arrow AND green lights for your direction come on at the same time, and the straight traffic you're filtering between starts moving? Not a good situation.
At a gap in platoons of traffic, signal left, move to the left turn lane, and then if you're the first in line you can wait towards the right side of the left turn lane. That will put you over into the right lane on the "receiving" street after you've made your turn. One tip I was taught also is to use your right hand as you're turning to signal to oncoming traffic that may be turning right on red, that they need to wait until after you turn. Make eye contact where necessary.