Vehicle Making Left Turn

Question

David asked: While on my bike I collided with a car making a left turn at a turn lane not a cross street with a traffic light. I was half way across road when the person in the car saw me but not in time to avoid the collision. Where I come from, Ontario Canada, a vehicle making a left turn or right turn cannot complete that turn unless “ALL” traffic in “ALL” directions is totally clear.  What are the laws in the state of Florida pertaining to this issue?

Answer

The law is similar here.

If you were in the roadway, including the bike lane, the following applies.

s. 316.122Vehicle Turning Left

The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left within an intersection or into an alley, private road, or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction, or vehicles lawfully passing on the left of the turning vehicle, which is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard.

If you were on a sidewalk, the following applies:

s. 316.2065 – Bicycle Regulations

(9) – A person propelling a vehicle by human power upon and along a sidewalk, or across a roadway upon and along a crosswalk, has all the rights and duties applicable to a pedestrian under the same circumstances.

http://flbikelaw.org/2016/03/drivers-must-yield-to-pedestrians/

3 Comments on “Vehicle Making Left Turn

  1. Since 316.122 above does not specify a location and the vehicle would be approaching from the opposite direction, I assume it would apply to a paved shoulder.

  2. Apparently the turning driver stated or acknowledged they didn’t see the oncoming cyclist in time to avoid a collision. Unless they insisted it was the cyclist’s duty to yield, or asked why the cyclist didn’t yield (?–no mention of such statements in the OP), they may be well aware it was their duty to yield. In that case, the cause of the crash was not ignorance of the road rule quoted by Geo, but simple failure to notice the cyclist by scanning carefully for conflicting traffic.

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