USE THE TRAFIC LIGHT AT GANDY AND WESTSHORE BLVDS
OR TAKE A RIGHT ON BRIDGE ST INSTEAD
THE CITY ADDED A RIGHT HAND TURN LANE ON GANDY BLVD
TO ACCOMMODATE A PROJECT THAT WENT BANKRUPT
AND LEFT US LIVING ON W. McELROY AVE WITH THE BYPASS FROM HELL
NO SIDE WALK ~~ NO PARKING
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| WELCOME TO THE WEST SHORE TRAFFIC LIGHT BYPASS ON W. McELROY |
A Very Confusing Traffic Law
I believe the key word in this Statute is Stopped
But Is Not Enforced
Here's what the current Florida Statute regarding traffic control signal devices says:
"Vehicular traffic facing a steady red signal shall stop before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection and shall remain standing until a green indication is shown;
HOWEVER
The driver of a vehicle which is stopped at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or, if none then at the point nearest the intersecting roadway where the driver has a view of approaching traffic on the intersecting roadway before entering the intersection in obedience to a steady
red signal may make a right turn, but shall yield the right-of-way to pedestrians and other traffic proceeding as directed by the signal at the intersection, except that municipal and county authorities may prohibit any such right turn against a steady red signal at any intersection, which prohibition shall be effective when a sign giving notice thereof is erected in a location visible to traffic approaching the intersection."
The interpretation of this statute, based on the words "a vehicle which is stopped at a clearly marked stop line" is that a full stop is required before making a right turn on a red traffic signal.
The square sign that is posted atop traffic signals depicting a right-turn arrow with a slash mark across it can make things a tad confusing. The last part of the statute that's quoted is key here: "except that municipal and county authorities may prohibit any such right turn against a steady
red signal at any intersection, which prohibition shall be effective when a sign giving notice thereof is erected in a location visible to traffic approaching the intersection." This means that right turns on red signals are not permitted when the right-turn with the slash sign is illuminated
this is in effect a county or municipal authority exercising the right to prohibit such turns, which is why the special "no right turn on red" signs are installed at certain intersections.
The 2012 Florida Statutes are available online at flsenate.gov/ statutes. Select Title XXIII, which covers all motor vehicle laws.
JUST THOUGHT YOU WOULD LIKE TO KNOW
Douglas Barton
5002 Bridge St
Apt 207
Tampa Florida
33611
