Traffic rules: help me understand if I had the right of way and did the right thing in this situation

17 comments

1. * Coming from Colmarerstrasse, there are “yield” markings too.
   https://goo.gl/maps/ajQWiPvpA5Hn5h9g6
   * You turned left, across a lane.
   * They turned right, not crossing any lane.

   Ergo they have the right of way.

2. If you turn left, you have to let the opposite direction pass.

3. Not 100% sure but i think you’re in the wrong. Let us go through it.

   First, the yield markings are not relevant. The traffic lights were working and therefor are dominant. The road markings are relevant when traffic lights are off.
   As you both had a green light and you both came from side roads turning into a main road, in this situation “right before left” is required. He was on your right as you turned left so he had right of way.

   That is my interpretation and i might be wrong.

4. Only by seeing the picture before your explanation I already knew blue arrow(you) was wrong. Others already explained it.

5. If you’re not turning to dominoes, then you’re wrong.

6. I think both blue and red arrow don’t have the right of way, and thus one must let the other pass. Since you’re going left and crossing a lane, red gets priority if he goes right. That said, if he hits the throttle and almost run into you while you were already crossing the roads, he did not look properly and it may be his fault. If he almost ran into you, you were already on the priority road right? So I don’t think this is blue arrow’s fault.

7. I almost got into an accident at this very intersection and vowed to never drive through it again. And I have not.

   ​

   I almost got into an accident at this very intersection and vowed never to drive through it again. And I have not.

8. You are in the wrong both when the red light is active or not:

   * In case of a working red light, you may proceed on green, but have to yield oncoming traffic when turning left.
   * In case of a not working red light (i.e. yellow blinking), you need to follow the road painted indicators and those demand yielding to oncoming traffic when turning left.

9. Thanks to everyone that replied! I see why I was in the wrong and I should have let the other guy pass. Good to know for next time!

   Cheers

10. Bruh, what an intersection holy shit. But yes, you were probably wrong. The other guy is turning right. When signals are functional, yield signs pertaining the same intersection are meaningless. Similarly, when you drive over an intersection controlled by traffic lights, never assume another car will stop at yield signs.

11. Cars coming from the red arrow direction actually have two consecutive traffic regulations, as shown here: [https://imgur.com/a/EHumOYA](https://imgur.com/a/EHumOYA)

    First there’s the traffic light at A that allows them to cross the pedestrian crossing when the pedestrians don’t have a green light. Then there is a separate *vertical* yield sign (an actual triangle-shaped traffic sign) at B that requires them to yield to all other vehicles before entering the actual intersection.

    OP had the right of way, at that point he’s already on the main road while the other car is at a yield sign. But man, that’s an awfully designed intersection, I agree with the other commenters who were there and now avoid it.

12. Green light with no arrows usually mean that the oncoming traffic also has green light with no arrows
    Whenever you have a green light with no arrows and you have to turn left wait for the oncoming traffic to pass first. If you need to turn right or drive straight then you have the right of way.

    For better visualization, this is You:
    https://imgur.com/a/xQm4y8I

    Oncoming traffic:
    https://imgur.com/a/mOOtseR

13. If you have a green blob, and you turn left, then you must give way to the oncoming traffic.

    Street markings are irrelevant, and only apply when the traffic lights are not working, or set to orange blinken light.

    [Art. 36 Abs. 3 SSV](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1979/1961_1961_1961/de#art_36)

    >Die Signale «Stop» und «Kein Vortritt» sind bei Verzweigungen mit Lichtsignalanlagen nur zu beachten, wenn der Verkehr nicht durch Lichtsignale geregelt wird.

    [Art. 63 Abs. 2 and 3 SSV](https://www.fedlex.admin.ch/eli/cc/1979/1961_1961_1961/de#art_68)

    >2 Grünes Licht gibt den Verkehr frei. Abbiegende Fahrzeuge müssen dem Gegenverkehr (Art. 36 Abs. 3 SVG) und den Fussgängern oder Benützern von fahrzeugähnlichen Geräten auf der Querstrasse den Vortritt lassen (Art. 6 Abs. 2 VRV).

    >
    >3 Grüne Pfeile gestatten den Verkehr in der angezeigten Richtung. Blinkt daneben gleichzeitig ein gelbes Licht, müssen abbiegende Fahrzeuge dem Gegenverkehr (Art. 36 Abs. 3 SVG) und den Fussgängern oder Benützern von fahrzeugähnlichen Geräten auf der Querstrasse den Vortritt lassen (Art. 6 Abs. 2 VRV).

14. as others said, you have to wait for oncoming traffic, as you are turning left.

    A good indicator for this is the traffic light:
    If its big green dot, you can go, but be aware of everything.
    If you have an green arrow, you can go.
    If its has a yellow flashing light next to it, be aware – usually oncoming traffic or pedestrians.
    And it its a two light design, its to give way to public transport. Its turned off, then starts flashing yellow and then turns red to let public transport through.

    Also if youre on a bicycle chances are you have your own traffic light, with a little velo symbol. It takes a little time to get used to them but its usually benefitial.

    Also there is a new yellow bike signe with an arrow. It lets you turn right even when the traffic light is red. Its usually on main roads but sadly very rare..

15. That street is a clusterfuck tbh so no wonder there were confusions. Thats why I dont drive into major cities

16. If he is Blue he have right if you was blue you had 100% right.👌

17. I live in Basel-Land, actively avoid taking the car to Basel because I get the shakes every time I do unless I drive like a snail. Zurich seems easier to drive in.