MacGougan at Large

Notes on Cars - 2

Who Goes First?

You’re waiting at a red light, planning to go straight ahead when the light turns green. The car facing you across the intersection is signalling a left turn. Who is supposed to go first when the light changes?

The received wisdom on this question, dating back I think to the Code of Hammurabi, is that the car going straight has the right of way. The car looking to make a turn (and if I have any readers in the UK, Japan, etc. please substitute a right turn for a left turn) may creep into the intersection, but must then wait for the oncoming traffic to pass before turning onto the cross street.

In practice, however, the actual outcome these days is a bit of a coin flip. The majority of drivers in my town continue to observe the old traditions, but a growing minority of left-turners seize the opportunity to go first. They can do this because the turning car has an inherent advantage. The second the light changes, it can drive right into the middle of the intersection, essentially daring the going-straight car to ram into it. 

So the rules tell the left-turners to wait, but the left-turners know that they have the power to go first if they want to. Judge MacGougan is willing to grant that a few of the pushy left-turners may be rushing injured loved ones to the hospital. In all other cases, I see this as a modest, everyday test of personal values - courtesy vs. me-first.