Community Corner

Left on Red at 'Michigan U' Legal, Not Recommended

Police and State Highway officials said making a left turn on red is allowed. But they say it's better to be patient.

Last month a reader wrote in with an interesting request. 

"Please stop wasting my time," he wrote, "and make a left on red in the Michigan U."

The reader, who identified himself as Justin, insisted it was perfectly legal to make a left on a red light onto Route 3 from the Michigan U turn. 

Other readers disagreed, arguing that the light would blink red if such a turn were permitted. 

"I don't see where in that traffic code where it says a left on a red is allowed," a reader identifying herself as "Cathy" wrote. "The ONLY time is when there is a flashing red, which is then treated as a stop sign."

So who's right?

According to both the Anne Arundel County Police Department and the State Highway Administration, making a left on red is permitted from the left lane, provided the driver stops first and waits until traffic is clear. They point to section 21-202 (i) of the Maryland traffic code, which permits left turns on red onto one-way streets. 

In this case, Route 3 is considered a one-way road because it is a divided highway. 

However, State Highway officials said that while making a left turn on red is legal, they advise against doing it.

"You're going with the traffic, so from the very far left lane, you can make a left," SHA spokesman Charlie Gischlar said. "We do recommend, though, that people use the Michigan U for it's intended purpose."

That purpose, Gischlar said, was to allow traffic to more safely navigate across Route 3.

Gischlar said that drivers in the left lane of the turn may not have a great sense of the traffic coming up Route 3. 

"Even a single car can partially obscure your [view]," he said. 

Many Patch readers offered a similar opinion.
 
"Just because you can do a thing, does not mean you should do a thing," a reader identified as "PG" wrote. "Have some patience, and wait those extra 30 seconds. There are too many accidents on that road because of people who are unwilling slow down."


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