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Junior Member
Left Turn CA VC 21801(a)
California
21801 (a) The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left or to complete a U-turn upon a highway, or to turn left into public or private property, or an alley, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction which are close enough to constitute a hazard at any time during the turning movement, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to the approaching vehicles until the left turn or U-turn can be made with reasonable safety.
I was the first car stopped at a red stop signal in the left dedicated turning lane. The light was a shared signal face for protected/permissive left turns (just a technical way of saying there a dedicated green left turn arrow along with a circular green). Immediately following the red light the green left arrow appeared along with the green circular. I made a left turn onto a three lane one way street. There was a van turning onto the same street from the opposite direction so I honked to warn that I was entering the intersection and had the right of way. A couple blocks down the street I was pulled over by a motorcycle cop. The cop stated that I should have yielded at the intersection and wrote me a 21801(a) citation.
Questions:
1. Does VC 21801(a) apply to a left turn on green arrow?
2. Did I not have the right of way in this scenario?
The van was clearly running a red light and was not in the intersection when the green arrow appeared.
3. What is my best line of defense in this case?
Right now I'm relying on my testimony and documentation of the traffic lights at the intersection.
I do not know the observation point of the officer, but this would be helpful in establishing reasonable doubt. I have sent a discovery request for the officers notes but do not expect to receive anything prior to trial.
Any advice is appreciated. Thank you!
California
21801 (a) The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left or to complete a U-turn upon a highway, or to turn left into public or private property, or an alley, shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching from the opposite direction which are close enough to constitute a hazard at any time during the turning movement, and shall continue to yield the right-of-way to the approaching vehicles until the left turn or U-turn can be made with reasonable safety.
I was the first car stopped at a red stop signal in the left dedicated turning lane. The light was a shared signal face for protected/permissive left turns (just a technical way of saying there a dedicated green left turn arrow along with a circular green). Immediately following the red light the green left arrow appeared along with the green circular. I made a left turn onto a three lane one way street. There was a van turning onto the same street from the opposite direction so I honked to warn that I was entering the intersection and had the right of way. A couple blocks down the street I was pulled over by a motorcycle cop. The cop stated that I should have yielded at the intersection and wrote me a 21801(a) citation.
Questions:
1. Does VC 21801(a) apply to a left turn on green arrow?
2. Did I not have the right of way in this scenario?
The van was clearly running a red light and was not in the intersection when the green arrow appeared.
3. What is my best line of defense in this case?
Right now I'm relying on my testimony and documentation of the traffic lights at the intersection.
I do not know the observation point of the officer, but this would be helpful in establishing reasonable doubt. I have sent a discovery request for the officers notes but do not expect to receive anything prior to trial.
Any advice is appreciated. Thank you!
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