Question: What do you do when you are trapped by circumstances and unable to legally correct a mistake? I followed two cars into a left turn lane on Saturday afternoon. I thought turning left was only prohibited Monday through Friday. Once past the single solid line I could see that it was also prohibited on Saturdays.
What choice did I have?
To my right there was a solid white line which I shouldn’t cross. When there were no cars in the lane to my right, I could have gone straight and veered off to the right to be in that lane. I think I remember reading in your column some years back that there was no law saying one can’t change lanes in an intersection, but it can be tricky and dangerous.
I made the left hand turn as I wasn’t sure what else to do. What do you suggest if this sort of thing happens again?
Where the Driver was Trapped
This is the intersection involved as it was in 2015 when the driver was trapped in the left turn lane.
Sign Visibility
The no left turn sign is on the traffic light crossbar and it would likely not be readable for drivers when they are approaching the left turn lane.
No Advance Notice
There are no signs to give advance notice of the turn prohibition as a driver approaches the left turn lane either. I don't think that this is reasonable in the circumstances.
It's an Odd Situation
This situation seems odd to me as I understood that turn prohibition was generally used where there was heavy traffic and no left turn lane.
Restricting the turn during heavy traffic hours would prevent backing up through traffic as the driver sat in the lane and waited to turn left. If you are going to have a dedicated turn lane, restricting its use would cause confusion and this comment is an example of just that.
What To Do
Once you are in that left turn lane you are stuck. You must turn left as directed by the markings on the road but can't turn left because of the direction in the sign. Additionally, you cannot change lanes because of the single solid white line. Going straight through is not a consideration in any event.
The sign takes precedence over the lane marking according to section 161 (b) MVA. However, if the sign is not properly visible to the driver at the point where the decision needs to be made you would have a reasonable defence to a ticket issued for making the prohibited turn.
The safest choice would be to make the turn.
Problem Solved in This Instance
The problem won't happen at this location today. The City has removed the left turn lane and replaced it with a painted island. Left turns are no longer permitted at any time.
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... and I wasn't there to see the situation; but I think the better option, if it could be done safely, would have been to make a proper lane change across that solid white line and proceed straight. Surely, a police officer would be understanding, given the situation.
From interest, where is this left-turn chute that is only useable during specific hours, and where is the sign advising of the restriction? Because if the sign is at the intersection (rather than prior to it), that's a Catch-22 and the traffic engineers need to address it right away.
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When I first read your story, I though "that's impossible, no jurisdiction would create an intersection with that configuration".
Thank you for supplying the information on the intersection.
If I was a trier of fact, Judge or JJP, and you were in my court for either, making the left turn (Disobey a Movement Prohibition Sign) or for Crossing a Solid Line, I would find you not guilty.
If I were a police officer in this jurisdiction and came across someone disobeying either, I would not issue a ticket, but would be writing a report to the municipality of Courtenay to fix the situation.
This is a new one on me.
As for what I would do as a driver ? Likely cross the solid line, however, think of the jeopardy you've been placed in civilly if you were involved in a collision when either turning contrary to the sign or crossing the solid line. What a head ache.
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Only my opinion ...