“A motorist turning left has to wait for oncoming traffic to clear the intersection unless they have a green arrow. The reader, turning right onto the bridge, has the right of way,” said N.C. Department of Transportation spokeswoman Jennifer Garifo.
Below is a link to the N.C. Department of Motor Vehicles’ driver’s handbook, which contains rules of the road. The “Traffic Signals” section contains the rules for navigating an intersection. Other sections in Chapter 4 provide information on who has the right-of-way at four-way stops and at intersections that aren’t signed.
Related link:
Why do they call it the Isabel Stellings Holmes Bridge?
Date posted: September 20, 2010
User-contributed question by:
Robert
Wilmington drivers do not follow a key tenet of considerate driving: always turn into the closest lane, then use your turn signal and switch lanes after turning (if necessary). If drivers adhered to this rule, both left right-turning and left-turning drivers could go at the same time (if turning onto a multi-lane roadway). This is how it works in most cities, but not in Wilmington.
I have to disagree, driving has to start with obeying the law before you start incorporating “tenets” and “consideration”. According to the law, if I’m turning right into a 4-lane and you want to turn left, you have to wait until I clear the intersection. I AM oncoming traffic, until I’m not.
You shouldn’t assume that my first action after clearing the intersection WON’T be to immediately change lanes. I’m pretty sure you’d get a “Failure to See Safe Movement” or “Failure to Yield” citation, and your soon to be increased insurance will pay for the fender-bender.