Left turn on red

[catmandu57]

I've been doing something thar's ilegal as all get out, but it's a gas saver. In many places you're allowed to turn left if through traffic has the green arrow and there isn't traffic approaching from the opposite direction.
Not every place has this, and i've been doing it anyway, especially when I'm waiting to turn into the megamart. The next light is a quarter mile away and I'll be damned if I'm going to sit still, burn up gas, waste my time, add pollutants to the atmosphere if noone is coming at me.
So, I glance around no cops, and make my turn, anyone else breaking the law?

[saltpoint]

1. I make a point to drive through all lights and signals, no matter what.

It's dangerous, but less complicated.

[catmandu57]

3. I haven't got balls that big

I'm just a minor criminal.:)

[saltpoint]

19. Hi, catmandu57. Friends and family describe my driving style as

"dull to a fault."

I don't have a cell phone, either!

[sweetheart]

9. Thats trusting uncertainty, you must be a physicist

your car must be a neutrino :-)

[saltpoint]

17. Hell, I can barely add and subtract, sweetheart. I learned to drive

cross-country over farm fields and glens, etc. but for decades I've been a run-of-the-mill motorist who follows all the signs and signals. As boring as it gets.

[hlthe2b]

2. As a frequent pedestrian, who, with my dog has nearly been hit

multiple times by people rolling through a stop sign to turn right on red, looking only to their left to ensure THEY will not be hit, I am distressed at this. To turn left on red means that the cross walks and pedestrian "walk" lights become incidental. ANyone on foot (who are truly saving gas) will just be targets to you and this practice. Have you considered this?

[catmandu57]

6. I make double sure

that it is absolutely clear and safe, measure twice cut once.

[hlthe2b]

10. Perhaps...but by establishing this practice, many others will

follow and likely NOT be so careful. The bit of time and gas you save will have consequences. Denver is already on record this year (and last) for an incredible number of pedestrian deaths--most are hit and runs. I'm told by planners that right turn on red is a major part of that.

[Demit]

4. LOL! When I "glance around, no cops" then run a light, guess what happens?

Hope you continue to have better luck than I do. :)

[catmandu57]

7. I go park and

spend money.

[NJ_Lib]

13. I have the same luck...

... "Damn, I could have sworn I looked eighteen times for cops"... "Ok, ok, I'm pulling over"...

[Coexist]

5. No, that sounds kind of dangerous.

Sorry - I can't do that.

[dysfunctional press]

8. right turn on red...

in our state, you're allowed to turn right on red, from the right lane- after a full stop, & if no other traffic is approaching...
what bothers me, is the number of idiots who don't realize that the way the law is written, you're also allowed to turn LEFT on red, if you're going from the left lane of a one way street onto another one way street- i.e "following the curb".

in fact- a number of years ago, i remember reading a story in the paper about a guy who got arrested after trying to make a "citizen's arrest" ala gomer pyle on a cop that turned left on a red light- the moran didn't know that it was a legal manuever, wouldn't let up, and ended up getting arrested for assulting an officer- when he grabbed the cop's arm to keep him from getting back in his squad car.

[SmokingJacket]

11. In my town, all the intersections where that might apply have signs that

say NO TURN ON RED. So frankly, I've gotten out of the habit of doing it....

[catmandu57]

12. I don't do this everywhere

At this particular stretch of road there is a mixed up jangle of city/county/state conroled intersection, none of the lights are coordinated its stop go stop go, okay to turn not okay to turn. There is zero pedestrian traffic, it's not like I'm jesse james here, I can't see sitting in my idling car for two minutes waiting for a green arrow with nothing else even close to my vehicle.

[Lochloosa]

14. Com'n down to Florida and try that...

It will cost you 187 bucks and four points on your license.

Sorry, I'll waste a little gas. There is a reason you shouldn't do that. Bikes, pedestrians, baby carriges...ducks crossing the road......

[Karmakaze]

15. Isnt that kind of like what Bush is doing?

Breaking the law because he can get away with it?

[catmandu57]

16. I'm just a minor scofflaw

unlike our most glorious fuhrer* if I ever get a ticket I'll say mea culpa and pay it. I'm not worried about running anyone over, there isn't anyone there to run over.

[Coyote_Bandit]

18. I guess

that you don't have police cameras monitoring red light violations at intersections. We do. Try that stunt here and a few days later a ticket will arrive in the mail with a flattering photo showing you behind the wheel. The ticket costs and increase in insurance rates are far more than any savings in gas you will realize. Promise.

[AllieB]

I've seen 'straight on red' here in Mass.

But of course, that's more an indication of our insane driving habits than an effort to save fuel.

[proud2BlibKansan]

20. Sorry I am not at liberty to discuss my lawbreaking

on a public discussion board.

But hey, good on you!

:hi:

[rpgamerd00d]

21. I break just about every traffic law ever written every time I drive

So, I'm an expert in this field.

The key to traffic law violation is this: "Know Your Territory."

Memorizing every possible place a cop CAN be, and CANNOT POSSIBLY be, vastly reduces your chances of ever getting caught committing a traffic violation. For example, most major bridges (suspension bridges, etc) have absolutely no breakdown lanes. Therefore, no cops could possibly be waiting on them. So, scope out the bridge one time for those speeding cameras, and if there aren't any, then every time you cross that bridge, SPEED AWAY! No chance to get caught.

Oops. Was that my out loud voice?

:rofl:

[ohiosmith]

22. Thank you for endeavoring to improve the gene pool. Your continued

dedication to this important mission is sincerely appreciated.