Driving issue's?
 

Hi,
I have a few questions regarding different driving laws in Canada. Can you turn right at every red light as long as a pedestrian isn't crossing or is it just on certain crossing? As We were doing all of them (as following the local's) and I don't want to get in trouble.
As who's right of way is it at a 4way junction?
Thanks for your help:)

Re: Driving issue's?
 

From Wikipedia:

"In Canada, one is allowed to turn right on a red, only after a complete stop, unless a sign states otherwise. In the province of Quebec, turning right on a red was illegal until a pilot study carried out in 2003 showed that there were no significant adverse effects of the RTOR maneuver. Subsequently the province of Quebec now allows universal right turn on red, except where it is prohibited by a sign. However, due to locally specific safety concerns, it remains illegal to turn right on a red anywhere on the island of Montreal. Motorists are reminded of this via large signs posted at the entrance to all bridges."

As for four way stops it's first come first to go, so you have to keep track of who arrived at the intersection when. ;)

Re: Driving issue's?
 

At a four-way stop, the first driver to stop has right of way. If two vehicles arrive at the same time, the one to the right has right of way.

With no stop or yield signs, traffic to the right has right of way. Some intersections will have stop or yield signs for some directions and not others, in which case you go by the signs.

Find a copy of the driver's handbook for your province, or see whether it's available online. It has the answers to all these questions!

ETA: of course, people don't always drive by the book. Don't assume another driver will yield to you just because they're supposed to!

Re: Driving issue's?
 

Thank's for your help. I will make sure I pay attention at four ways. If only they had round a bouts?

Re: Driving issue's?
 

Some places do. :p

But it is much more economical to use four way stops for the majority of the intersections where they are used.

Re: Driving issue's?
 

In Ontario be very very careful to check the expiry date on your Ontario G Class licence -its on the back where nobody EVER looks.

They-Vehicle Licensing- are NOT mailing reminders to everyone when their licence photo ID has expired.Repeat they are NOT reminding every driver.

After computerization in 02-03 some drivers have been omitted from receiving reminders in the mail- its a postcard now and not a letter so it can get lost in junk mail.
You have 3 years grace if you miss the expiry date- they wont remind you- after that you must resit the whole damn thing again., Road test, written test, even if you have a clean license,are 100% accident free and an experienced driver.

$75.00 every time and they are not keen to pass you and up goes your insurance. A NIGHTMARE:eek:

Re: Driving issue's?
 

One good thing is when the traffic lights are out of order, you have to treat the junction as you would a 4-way/3-way stop. No traffic police officer is assigned to take over.

Re: Driving issue's?
 

What does a flashing red light at a traffic light mean? I sat at one the other day until I realised it was never going to change to anything BUT flashing red and had irate Canadians waving me on.... :rofl:

Re: Driving issue's?
 

Check out this website for traffic lights:

http://www.drivingschool.ca/drivereducation/page16.html :)

Re: Driving issue's?
 

Flashing red is the same as a stop sign.

Re: Driving issue's?
 

Not according to the link someone has provided above.... It never went to anything BUT flashing red - if I hadn't moved I'd have still been sat there now....

Re: Driving issue's?
 

:confused:errr... yes, it is exactly the same as a stop sign. From the link posted above:That's what you (should) do at a stop sign, innit?

Re: Driving issue's?
 

How many times do you see a car accelerate when the lights go to amber? And the traffic waiting to cross start to creep forward when they know the lights are about to change...

Re: Driving issue's?
 

That's why they put in a delay from when the light turns red in one direction before the green lights up for the other direction.;)

I'm not sure if this function is universal across Canada.

Re: Driving issue's?
 

There is a variation of a rule which perplexed me about 12 years ago when I moved to Vancouver.

In Eastern Canada a flashing green light means that approaching traffic has the right of way to turn left at an intersection. Similar to a green arrow. Traffic coming from the other direction would have a red and be compelled to stop.

In Vancouver the lights would typically flash green in both directions. Nothing at all to do with a left turn right of way. It took me three or four near catastrophic incidents to catch on. To make matters worse I had Ontario plates on my car and was subject to disrespectful gestures with middle fingers and in some cases some very nasty comments about my intelligence and sharpness of my eyesight.

Is it still like that in Vancouver? :o