# What to do turning left with a solid yellow left turn arrow **URL:** \ **Category:** Driving/Drivers\ **Created:** [January 3, 2022, 5:29pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-to-do-turning-left-with-a-solid-yellow-left-turn-arrow/181623 "2022-01-03T17:29:48Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![oldtimer-11](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/e79b87/32.png) [@oldtimer-11](https://community.cartalk.com/u/oldtimer-11)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2022, 6:13am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-to-do-turning-left-with-a-solid-yellow-left-turn-arrow/181623/41 "2022-01-04T06:13:15Z")
Everone is over complicating this. You may enter an intersection on a yellow light, you may not enter an intersection on a red light. So if you are not in the intersection before that arrow turns red, you have to stop. ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2022, 6:28am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-to-do-turning-left-with-a-solid-yellow-left-turn-arrow/181623/42 "2022-01-04T06:28:17Z")
You posted the most replies in this tread and now you are no longer interested? ![image](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/2/a/2ad9f4010e2aec9d61b04fd83190979ffb6cf451.png) ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2022, 9:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-to-do-turning-left-with-a-solid-yellow-left-turn-arrow/181623/43 "2022-01-04T09:24:46Z")
> [@Nevada\_545](#): > > You posted the most replies in this tread and now you are no longer interested? After all the bovine feces that thewonderful90s / snowman has been spreading, I’m not really interested is his garbage either. ---
**Author:** ![Renegade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Renegade](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Renegade)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2022, 3:32pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-to-do-turning-left-with-a-solid-yellow-left-turn-arrow/181623/44 "2022-01-04T15:32:53Z")
> [@Nevada\_545](#): > > You posted the most replies in this tread and now you are no longer interested? Still interested in a good conversation but the OP is starting to sound like a broken record. [for those who are old enough to know what that means] ---
**Author:** ![pyrolord314](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/6a8cbe/32.png) [@pyrolord314](https://community.cartalk.com/u/pyrolord314)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2022, 3:46pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-to-do-turning-left-with-a-solid-yellow-left-turn-arrow/181623/45 "2022-01-04T15:46:04Z")
> [@Renegade](#): > > [for those who are old enough to know what that means] ![Cap I understood that](https://global.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/original/3X/4/0/402830b3450254702a873898cedac269dba38b03.png) ---
**Author:** ![Marnet](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/marnet/32/41_2.png) [@Marnet](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Marnet)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2022, 2:33am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-to-do-turning-left-with-a-solid-yellow-left-turn-arrow/181623/46 "2022-01-05T02:33:46Z")
Green = Pedal to the metal Yellow = Go like h\*\*\* to beat the red Red = Aircraft carrier stop Oh, and ALWAYS yield to oncoming traffic when making left turns when the traffic light is plaid. You’re welcome. ---
**Author:** ![davepsinbox\_157004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@davepsinbox\_157004](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davepsinbox_157004)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2022, 4:42am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-to-do-turning-left-with-a-solid-yellow-left-turn-arrow/181623/47 "2022-01-05T04:42:38Z")
> [@Renegade](#): > > Still interested in a good conversation but the OP is starting to sound like a broken record. [for those who are old enough to know what that means] I do! > [@Marnet](#): > > Oh, and ALWAYS yield to oncoming traffic when making left turns when the traffic light is plaid. And here I thought I made up plaid traffic lights. Who knew? 😉 Must be a thing in Scotland. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2022, 5:03am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-to-do-turning-left-with-a-solid-yellow-left-turn-arrow/181623/48 "2022-01-05T05:03:19Z")
Spaceballs, the next step up from ludicrous speed! [GONE PLAID - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NP6DXoNKITc) ---
**Author:** ![Nevada\_545](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/nevada_545/32/41232_2.png) [@Nevada\_545](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Nevada_545)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2022, 5:05am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-to-do-turning-left-with-a-solid-yellow-left-turn-arrow/181623/49 "2022-01-05T05:05:52Z")
> [@Renegade](#): > > Still interested in a good conversation If you posted some good conversation, I missed it. ---
**Author:** ![Renegade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Renegade](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Renegade)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2022, 5:11am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-to-do-turning-left-with-a-solid-yellow-left-turn-arrow/181623/50 "2022-01-05T05:11:12Z")
[quote=“Marnet, post:46, topic:181623”] Oh, and ALWAYS yield to oncoming traffic when making left turns when the traffic light is plaid. Especially when they are bigger than you… At a four way stop sign if two vehicles get there at the same time the right of way goes to the one with the biggest WHEELS. ---
**Author:** ![Barkydog](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/barkydog/32/2470_2.png) [@Barkydog](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Barkydog)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2022, 5:27am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-to-do-turning-left-with-a-solid-yellow-left-turn-arrow/181623/51 "2022-01-05T05:27:36Z")
> [@Renegade](#): > > At a four way stop sign if two vehicles get there at the same time the right of way goes to the one with the biggest WHEELS. Yeah we have a big car, driving my daughters little car it is a whole nother world of less respect! ---
**Author:** ![bing](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/bing/32/4619_2.png) [@bing](https://community.cartalk.com/u/bing)\ **Post date:** [January 5, 2022, 6:59am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-to-do-turning-left-with-a-solid-yellow-left-turn-arrow/181623/52 "2022-01-05T06:59:44Z")
> [@Renegade](#): > > Still interested in a good conversation but the OP is starting to sound like a broken record. [for those who are old enough to know what that means] Used to pay $1 each but couldn’t afford many. In Hemmings Classic Cars last month they featured a 57 Chrysler and the features it had. It had a factory installed record player. Only offered a couple years because of all the problems. They used special 16 1/2 (I think) rpm 7" records instead of the standard 45 and 33 1/3, so that they could get more playing time. Imagine. Even jumping on the floor would make a needle skip on a record. Then along came 8 track, and cassette, and CD, and then thumb drives. Next might be just telepathy. ---
**Author:** ![davepsinbox\_157004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@davepsinbox\_157004](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davepsinbox_157004)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2022, 2:07am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-to-do-turning-left-with-a-solid-yellow-left-turn-arrow/181623/53 "2022-01-06T02:07:56Z")
Follow up question. Earlier today, eastbound traffic had a green left turn arrow but there was an ambulance coming from the opposite direction with lights flashing. How many people think the person in the left turn lane should have completed his/her turn since there was a solid green arrow? ---
**Author:** ![weekend-warrior](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/weekend-warrior/32/26122_2.png) [@weekend-warrior](https://community.cartalk.com/u/weekend-warrior)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2022, 2:10am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-to-do-turning-left-with-a-solid-yellow-left-turn-arrow/181623/54 "2022-01-06T02:10:58Z")
the Ambulance always has the right of way when their lights are on. ---
**Author:** ![Renegade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Renegade](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Renegade)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2022, 2:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-to-do-turning-left-with-a-solid-yellow-left-turn-arrow/181623/55 "2022-01-06T02:17:37Z")
> [@davepsinbox\_157004](#): > > How many people think the person in the left turn lane should have completed his/her turn since there was a solid green arrow? All SHOULD stop and wait but I have seen many times when they didn’t they don’t know who is in the ambulance orc how bad the emergency is it might e some one they know and if things go wrong the sh++T will hit the rotating wind machine. ---
**Author:** ![davepsinbox\_157004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@davepsinbox\_157004](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davepsinbox_157004)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2022, 2:18am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-to-do-turning-left-with-a-solid-yellow-left-turn-arrow/181623/56 "2022-01-06T02:18:26Z")
Yes, well, you know that and I know that but there just might be one or two people who disagree, and I wanted to give them a chance to identity themselves. ---
**Author:** ![Renegade](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Renegade](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Renegade)\ **Post date:** [January 6, 2022, 2:31am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-to-do-turning-left-with-a-solid-yellow-left-turn-arrow/181623/57 "2022-01-06T02:31:23Z")
> [@davepsinbox\_157004](#): > > Yes, well, you know that and I know that I was actually rear ended one time in that situation luckley no damage other than a few scratches. ---
**Author:** ![Polockhart\_178369](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/polockhart_178369/32/26883_2.png) [@Polockhart\_178369](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Polockhart_178369)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2022, 3:39pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-to-do-turning-left-with-a-solid-yellow-left-turn-arrow/181623/58 "2022-01-10T15:39:46Z")
True. In NYS AAA defensive driving class, we are told that this state allows autos to enter the intersection to make a left turn. In normal everyday driving I often see this and with a light change, oncoming traffic will politely yield to that driver. Not always, unfortunately, but most people have experienced this themselves and do allow them to clear the intersection. So yes and no, a defensive driver does everything they can to avoid accidents, even yield when we shouldn’t have to. ---
**Author:** ![davepsinbox\_157004](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/73ab20/32.png) [@davepsinbox\_157004](https://community.cartalk.com/u/davepsinbox_157004)\ **Post date:** [January 12, 2022, 2:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-to-do-turning-left-with-a-solid-yellow-left-turn-arrow/181623/59 "2022-01-12T02:17:21Z")
Forcing other drivers to yield strikes me as **offensive** driving rather than **defensive** but I guess as long as you can get away with it… ---
**Author:** ![glasspilot](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/glasspilot/32/27886_2.png) [@glasspilot](https://community.cartalk.com/u/glasspilot)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2022, 5:00pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-to-do-turning-left-with-a-solid-yellow-left-turn-arrow/181623/60 "2022-01-27T17:00:36Z")
> [@TheWonderful90s](#): > > I’m driving in the left turn lane with my left blinker on at 30 MPH and I am 1 second from crossing the line to enter the intersection to make a left turn. At this exact moment, the left arrow on the traffic signal becomes solid yellow. What do I do? edit2: To clarify things, just prior to switching in to the turn lane and slowing down a bit the light ahead of me was green. > > edit1: I’ll add some multiple choice to keep things within reality: > A) Attempt to panic stop and end up stopped in the intersection a bit after the line, and take the risk of being rear ended. > B) Halt the left turn and brake harder than normal coming to a stop in the middle of the intersection. Take some risk of being rear ended. Yield to oncoming traffic and continue the left turn when safe. > C) Halt the left turn and brake harder than normal coming to a stop in the middle of the intersection. Take some risk of being rear ended. Wait for a right of way signal from the traffic signal to complete the turn. > D) Continue the left turn during the solid yellow arrow and do not yield to traffic. I live in the Outer Banks of NC and we have had these lights for awhile, maybe 20 years. I can tell you how they work here. We have a main road here that is 5 lanes, 2 each way and a turning lane in the middle. We have the flashing yellow left turn arrow which means: “You give way to oncoming traffic but you can turn when it’s safe”. When the main road thru lights turn yellow the left turn light will become steady for a few seconds. IF YOU are already in the intersection observe the oncoming traffic (They will be stopping for their red light). WHEN YOU ARE SURE they are stopping you can make the left turn, however don’t dilly dally because traffic on your left and right will be coming at you. This is legal. If you haven’t entered the intersection it’s best if you stay behind the hold line and wait for the signals to cycle. Quite often you might get a green arrow, I hope you all know what that means. [Previous page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-to-do-turning-left-with-a-solid-yellow-left-turn-arrow/181623.md?page=2) [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/what-to-do-turning-left-with-a-solid-yellow-left-turn-arrow/181623.md?page=4)