Intersection right of Way Question

[Northendzone]

Every day that I take my kids to their day home I have to deal with the following situation as I drive through the intersection of McIvor Blvd and New Brighton Way/Copperfield Blvd SE.

The intersection is only controlled by stop signs on NB Way and Copperfield Blvd (vehicles travelling along McIvor do not have to stop at this intersection). My route to the day home requires that I go straight across McIvor via NB Way/Copperfield Blvd. Several times I have noticed a vehicle on Copperfield Blvd waiting to turn left onto McIvor as I pull up to the intersection (I am on NB Way) - we both have to wait for vehicles along McIvor to pass before we can proceed. Most times the person making the left turn (who was at the intersection first) seems to feel they have the right of way over me and as such they will turn left in front of me.

I was taught that if you are in an accident when you are turning left - the accident is your fault, thus you need to be prudent when making a left turn.

seems to me that these folks who are turning left are subscribing to a first come first serve mentality when it comes to moving through the intersection - where I feel that a person going straight has the right of way over a person making a turn.

Anyone care to share their thoughts/insights?

[Komskies]

Ask Pinner.

[Art Vandelay]

AFAIK, the person going through (you) always has the right of way over anyone turning left, even if they've been waiting longer than you.

[malcolmk14]

If I recall correctly, the person proceeding straight through the intersection has the right of way.

[Khel]

Isn't it considered common courtesy to let the first vehicle there to go first? Whether they are turning or going straight?

I always seem to do it, and others always seem to do the same for me...

But yes, you do have the right of way when going straight...

[Flames89]

I would have thought the guy turning left had the right of way since only you have the stop sign.

[malcolmk14]

Originally Posted by Flames89

I would have thought the guy turning left had the right of way since only you have the stop sign.

Guy turning left also has the stop sign.

[Northendzone]

just ofr clarification - bothe the guy turning left and myself have stop signs

[Russic]

I wasn't totally sure and waited for other to post first because I'm a massive Nancy. I've always thought that going straight through trumps turning left regardless of who got their first when it isn't a fully controlled intersection with stop signs. You're right though, many don't follow that line of thinking. Could be wrong.

[You Need a Thneed]

The first person to stop has the right of way, IMO.

However, there's nothing in the drivers handbook that says anything about the situation. I would assume that 4 way stop rules would apply.

If the intersection is an uncontrolled intersection, then the person making a left turn has to give right of way.

[Raekwon]

Left turning would be at fault for that accident. I believe in courtesy but if the left turner knows how to drive proper your courtesy will screw him up and slow things down.

Yielding and Stopping
Right of way at intersections
95(1) Except as otherwise provided in this Part, when 2 vehicles
approach or enter an intersection from different highways at
approximately the same time the driver of the vehicle to the left
shall yield the right of way to the vehicle on the right.
(2) A driver intending to turn left across the path of any vehicle
approaching from the opposite direction shall not make or attempt
to make the left turn unless the turn can be completed in safety.

[HOOT]

The person arriving first has the right of way going straight or turning.

[Bring_Back_Shantz]

Nm

[DuffMan]

I hit an intersection like that often, but I am the guy turning left. I go if I was there first. There's times where the person that was there last, ie second, and going straight through, thinks they have the right of way, but to them I say, gtfoomw, I was here first.

[Raekwon]

Originally Posted by DuffMan

I hit an intersection like that often, but I am the guy turning left. I go if I was there first. There's times where the person that was there last, ie second, and going straight through, thinks they have the right of way, but to them I say, gtfoomw, I was here first.

To this I say. Ouch my neck and my back

[Cecil Terwilliger]

Can anyone confirm? I always thought it was the person going straight who had the right of way. But it seems that the person that stopped first theory also makes sense.

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by Art Vandelay

AFAIK, the person going through (you) always has the right of way over anyone turning left, even if they've been waiting longer than you.

Originally Posted by malcolmk14

If I recall correctly, the person proceeding straight through the intersection has the right of way.

This is why we have so many accidents.

[Raekwon]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Can anyone confirm? I always thought it was the person going straight who had the right of way. But it seems that the person that stopped first theory also makes sense.

Once the accident happens you will argue that you arrived first where I won't have to, it will be a fact that you turned left in front of me.

[frinkprof]

The person going straight has the right of way in this scenario, regardless of when either of the vehicles arrived. It's spelled out in part (2) of the quote provided by Raekwon above.

The person intending to turn left would have to wait for any and all vehicles going straight through before turning.

[HOOT]

Originally Posted by Cecil Terwilliger

Can anyone confirm? I always thought it was the person going straight who had the right of way. But it seems that the person that stopped first theory also makes sense.

Treat it like a four-way stop. Person arriving first has the right away, if they arrive at the same time the person going straight has the right of way. Simple.