Left-Turn Creeps

Discussion Policy

Comments that include profanity or personal attacks or other inappropriate comments or material will be removed from the site. Additionally, entries that are unsigned or contain "signatures" by someone other than the actual author will be removed. Finally, we will take steps to block users who violate any of our posting standards, terms of use or privacy policies or any other policies governing this site. Please review the full rules governing commentaries and discussions. You are fully responsible for the content that you post.

By Ron Shaffer

Thursday, December 29, 2005

Dear Dr. Gridlock:

Regarding the problem with left turns in Virginia, I don't understand the problem, and I don't understand "creeping."

I was first licensed in Michigan and have been licensed in four other states before moving to Virginia. In every other state and the District, a left-turner enters the intersection fully, as if there were no oncoming traffic. If there actually is none, he completes the turn. Otherwise, he waits in the intersection for a safe break in the traffic, and if no break comes, he completes the turn once the changing light has caused the oncoming traffic to stop.

Virginia is the only place I've been where so many people wait behind the stop line before left turns. I presume some of those people just have to sit there at busy intersections (that don't have a left-turn light) until the end of rush hour.

I've seen some of them "creep" out into the intersection but then chicken out when the light changes, only to block the cross traffic.

What is the law in Virginia, and what are students taught in driving class?

Neil M. Smith

Woodbridge

CONTINUED 1 >