Turning right with red traffic light ?
 

Just back home to Europe from a 2 weeks driving trip to Florida. I was very surprised when approaching traffic lights in the very first right lane to turn right drivers behind me were honking at me trying to force me turning right even with red traffic lights. Did I miss some "local rule" ? I anyway waited for the green light but other drivers were upset with me. I would like to hear your comments on this because I have driven in the US many times in other States and this never happened to me.

As far as I know, everywhere EXCEPT New York City you can make a right on red unless there is a "No Turn on Red" sign

This rule was passed to save fuel before US cars began to get better mileage. If it is prohibited at individual intersections, and it may well be, the prohibition will be marked.

Save fuel = my 1995 Jeep gets 14 miles per gallon in traffic. At best.

"...I have driven in the US many times in other States and this never happened to me.'

Perhaps you have forgotten.

It may have been "passed" since California had it in effect for years prior to it being "nationalized."

Perhaps you should hone up on your road rules before your next trip Fabio. I'd have been honking too.

http://www.stateofflorida.com/Portal...aspx?tabid=213

And since many of Florida's roadways have nicely designed and marked turning lanes and traffic lights, it is probably safer to make right turn on red there than many other places. It's the law in all 50 States - maybe people are just ruder in Florida.

Just one thing about that rule. Yes, you can turn right on red unless marked otherwise, but unless I'm wrong everywhere that turn is legal the true rule (at least in Florida) is "you can turn right after coming to a complete stop". I'm so tired of people honking at me because I even slow down before making that turn, yet alone come to a complete stop. I watch as people don't even slow down but zoom right around the right hand turn through red lights, often unable to see continuing traffic going that direction. And a number of times I've kind of grinned with glee as police pull them over and ticket them for not coming to a stop before turning.

A couple of notes:

Yes - except in NYC - or as marked other places (many in the NY Metro area) you can turn right on red

BUT

1) you must come to a complete stop
2) you must give way to pedestrians - they always take precedence - and if they are still crossing the street when the light change - you can't honk or pressure them - they have whatever time needed to get to the sidewalk

In the US a "right turn on red" (after making a complete stop) has been in effect since the late 1970's. NYC is one exception.

Did you spend all two weeks not turning right on red? Why didn't you ask someone in Florida?

Maybe drivers are more polite in other states.:)

I am surprised you have never heard of this rule if you have driven before in the U.S., or if you have ever read any guidebooks on the U.S.

Thank goodness you were in Florida. Up here, outside DC, you probably would have had drivers get out of their cars to, um, have a discussion with you.

Yes, it's legal unless there's a sign posted saying it's not. Just come to a complete stop and yield to pedestrians.

What am I missing? I know that I CAN turn right on red, but what if I don't want to, and intend to drive straight ahead across the intersection? Unless I am in a "right turn only" lane, which is clearly marked on the pavement, I have no duty to turn right just because some bozo behind me is honking his/her horn.

What are you missing? If you come to a right hand turn and stop and can see that there is no cross traffic, why wouldn't you turn to help keep traffic moving? It has nothing to do with someone behind you honking -- you are free to go if it is clear and there is no reason not to. Would you also pull up to a green light and just sit there?

Oh, sorry. I was missing something. No, if you are in a lane that goes straight through and you want to, then of course you ignore the bozo honking behind you.

People in Florida are very impatient drivers. I believe it is too many cars on not enough roads. Or roads that have too many orange barrels and cones. Or exits that are non-stop every 1/4 mile so no one wants to drive in the slow lane.

As an American I still find driving across the country so different by region.

Up and down the East Coast, the highway SLOW lane is empty. People in the MIDDLE lane vary between the speed limit, 5-10 over, or even 5-10 under (since no one drives the slow lane). People in the FAST lane fly by like there is no tomorrow and get up on your bumper if you are one of the driver that are forced to enter the fast lane to pass someone doing 50 mph. The fast lane is their travel lane and they never leave it.

Across the rest of the country it's a different story. Exits are few and far between. People "keep right except to pass" like you are suppose to. They use the PASSING lane for passing and then get back over. You don't need signs along the highway telling trucks to use the left two lanes because trucks don't ride the right lane like they do in the East.

Same rules of the road, but not the same drivers.

Different states have their peculiarities. Exiting the Interstates in Colorado into a roundabout was one thing I didn't see everywhere and jug handles in New Jersey took some getting use to. I mean, when you see a sign that says, "All left turns right lane"...???...wtf.

Drive and learn. lol I'm surprised it took so many trips to the US to wonder why people were honking.

Obviously you have no obligation to turn right if you intended to proceed straight ahead - unless you were driving like many bozos in Florida with their directional signal permanently on. Then all bets are off.

There are certain behaviors that, while legal, are at least rude and perhaps traffic hazards. Driving 55 mph in the middle lane when the flow of traffic is 65 would fit that category.

<i>Across the rest of the country it's a different story. Exits are few and far between. People "keep right except to pass" like you are suppose to. They use the PASSING lane for passing and then get back over.</i>

Not in California. My experience has been the exact opposite.

"There are certain behaviors that, while legal, are at least rude and perhaps traffic hazards. Driving 55 mph in the middle lane when the flow of traffic is 65 would fit that category."

I agree, but it is absolutely true that that is how east coast drivers behave. They also have no idea what their indicators are for.