This webpage is intended to educate road users in British Columbia on who has the right of way when using controlled intersections and how to turn in an intersection properly in BC. Many drivers are confused and decides to make up their own rules of the road. This webpage includes items from the BC Motor Vehicle Act and ICBC Handbook to clarify any misunderstanding when making turns at intersections. This page is also very useful in educating new drivers and for international drivers who are trying to obtain a Class 5 License.
Making a right turn at intersections on red light
According to the BC Motor Vehicle Act at Sec 129 (3):
Despite subsection (1), and except when a right turn permitted by this subsection is prohibited by a sign at an intersection, the driver of a vehicle facing the red light, and which in obedience to it is stopped as closely as practicable to a marked crosswalk on the near side of the intersection, or if there is no marked crosswalk, as closely as practicable to the intersection, may cause the vehicle to make a right turn, but the driver must yield the right of way to all pedestrians and vehicles lawfully proceeding as directed by the signal at the intersection.
This means that cars making a right turn at an intersection controlled by a traffic light, must stop at the red light, and let the opposing traffic making a left turn complete their turn first before the right turner can make a right turn. Although those turning left should be keeping to the left lane, and those turning right should be keeping to the right lane, legally, the opposing turning car is allowed to take either the left or right lane because the opposing turning car has the right of way. Making a right turn to the right lane while the left turners turn into the left lane will increase the chance of clipping and an accident. Therefore the car behind the car making the right turn should not honk them to just proceed to turn right. Red light is a red light.
Also remember that all cars must yield to pedestrians and cyclists in the crosswalk, before making a turn.
Making a left turn at intersections on green light
According to the BC Motor Vehicle Act at Sec 127 (1) (a) (iii):
(1) When a green light alone is exhibited at an intersection by a traffic control signal:
(a) the driver of a vehicle facing the green light
(i) may cause the vehicle to proceed straight through the intersection, or to turn left or right, subject to a sign or signal prohibiting a left or right turn, or both, or designating the turning movement permitted,
(ii) must yield the right of way to pedestrians lawfully in the intersection or in an adjacent crosswalk at the time the green light is exhibited, and
(iii) must yield the right of way to vehicles lawfully in the intersection at the time the green light became exhibited
In addition to Sec 174: When a vehicle is in an intersection and its driver intends to turn left, the driver must yield the right of way to traffic approaching from the opposite direction that is in the intersection or so close as to constitute an immediate hazard
It means the car making a left turn at the green light must let the opposing traffic go first, and this includes opposing traffic making a right turn, before the left turner can make a left turn. Although those turning left should be keeping to the left lane, and those turning right should be keeping to the right lane, legally, the opposing turning car is allowed to take either the left or right lane because the opposing turning car has the right of way. Making a turn to the left lane while the opposing traffic turns right on the right lane will increase the chance of clipping and an accident. Therefore the car behind the car making the left turn should not honk them to just proceed to turn left.
Also remember that all cars must yield to pedestrians and cyclists in the crosswalk, before making a turn.
How to turn left at a 4 way stop
According to the ICBC Learn to Drive Smart Manual – Chapter 4:
Four-way stops — when there are stop signs at all corners:
• The first vehicle to arrive at the intersection and come to a complete stop should go first.
• If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the one on the
right should go first.
• If two vehicles are facing each other and have arrived at
the intersection at about the same time, the one making a
left turn must yield to the one going straight through. The opposing traffic shall proceed first before making a left turn around them.
It means that if one needs to make a left turn, the opposing traffic should go first, then the left turner goes around the opposing traffic. This 4 way stop applies to the same at intersections with flashing red lights where the traffic lights malfunctioned or when there is a power outage.
For questions, e-mail to: info@rightofwaydriving.com
Disclaimer: The information displayed here is to generalize or summarize the BC Motor Vehicle’s Act in a more understandable context. Should there be a discrepancy between the information here and the BC Motor Vehicle Act, the BC Motor Vehicle Act prevails.