Q: Atlanta is full of what I call channelized right-turn lanes. These lanes break from the through lanes and have their own intersection with the perpendicular street, normally with a yield sign and no separate traffic signal. If the through-lane traffic signal is red, do you have to stop in the right-turn lane before making the right turn, or do you only have to yield? Is there a law that addresses this type of intersection?
-- Tom Hammond, Suwanee
A: If an intersection is controlled by a red light and there is not a yield sign, then the driver may "cautiously enter the intersection to make a right turn after stopping," according to state law. Drivers in this situation can be issued citations for disregarding the red light or for turning right on red without stopping, Capt. Cass Mooney with the Suwanee Police Department told Q&A on the News in an email. If an intersection is controlled by a red light and there is a yield sign, then the driver must "slow down to a speed reasonable for the existing conditions and, if required for safety to stop, shall stop," according to state law. If a driver proceeds through a yield sign and does not stop when the existing conditions dictate that it is necessary for safety, such as pulling out in front of oncoming traffic, then a citation can be issued for violations of the code section, Mooney wrote. Both these configurations also can be superseded by "keep moving" or "no turn on red" signs at the intersections, he added.
Lori Johnston wrote this column. Do you have a question about the news? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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