While driving in Munich recently I pulled in to the left turn lane facing cars making the opposite left turn, and waited for approaching traffic to clear before turning. The cars behind me began honking. When the light began to change I made the turn, only to get the wrath of the cars turning left across from me. I'm still scratching my head. Is there some obscure etiquette I violated?

Maybe the left lane had its own traffic light displaying a green light with an arrow to the left.

In that case you'd have been cleared to go as the oncoming traffic would positively have had a red light - and the drivers behind you would rightly have been furious because they did no longer have a chance of turning during that interval (I would have been...).

Oh - and I notice that you stated that you saw the light change before entering the intersection.
Well, you should not have. If the light is green, you enter the intersection. Stop in its middle to let oncoming traffic pass by and to give cars behind you the chance to also enter the intersection. Once you notice that either the oncoming traffic stops or there isn't any you proceed in your direction.
I also hate it, when drivers do not pull up to the middle of the intersection on a green light - makes me sound mental, but it's true.

European drivers turning left create an imaginary traffic circle and turn left behind each other, unlike North America where cars face off and turn in front of each other. In Europe, you are supposed to advance as far as possible into the 'circle' -- often almost to the far side of the intersection. Then, either you get your chance to turn when traffic clears, or you turn when the light has finally turned red.

Can't be it either. The standard in Germany would be "amerikanisches Abbiegen" as it's called here. ("american turn&quot unless otherwise marked at big intersections.

Damn! Can't those Americans keep their hands out of European driving?

<< In Europe, you are supposed to advance as far as possible into the 'circle' -- often almost to the far side of the intersection. Then, either you get your chance to turn when traffic clears, or you turn when the light has finally turned red.>>

This has driven me nuts ever since I've been living in Europe (since '64 - and I wasn't even old enough to drive yet).
This senseless method leaves everyone blocked if there are more than three cars trying to turn... thankfully I've noticed changes in the past couple of years and now it's more left turns being done in front of each other. Less blocking of the intersection this way...

Patricia

Maybe years ago, drivers used to be more intelligent... They knew they musn't enter the intersection when they would block opposing traffic. Today, stupidity rules! It's the "I'm here, I want to be first, and you can't do a thing about it mentality"...

But if you've to make a choice between blocking the people in front and the people behind...?

Mind you, German drivers aren't noted for their patience.

Was turning allowed at that intersection? Some european roads have a circle effect where if you want to turn left, you pull into a lane on the right and use a semi-circlular section of road where you stop at the lights. When they change, you go across both lanes of the road into the road on the left.


As Patrick said, German drivers aren't noted for their patience. On an autobahn (German freeway) I was travelling at over 90 mph in the slow lane and a car overtaking me banged his horn at the POLICE car in front who didn't get out of his way fast enough.

I think kerouac's explanation probably reflects what happened. I had the impression they wanted me to pass the oncoming car turning left and then turn then turn left behind it. (This maneuver almost cost me my learner's permit in high school.) Since I wouldn't, the cars behind me got stuck waiting for another light. Thanks for the explanation.