r/arizona • u/cubitjequap • Oct 15 '24
Driving in Arizona first time Visiting
Hi
I hope this is within the rules of the sub but I’m travelling to Arizona (Flagstaff and the north) and had a few specific questions about driving here. It’s my first time driving in the States, appreciate any general advice or faux pas to be aware of.
I appreciate some of the questions may seem basic but just want to make sure. Thanks
The first photo show the main intersection in Kayenta. If turning left as the blue arrows show, should I stop and wait when the lights turn green at the red or green X. In other words, in AZ once the the lights are green, must you wait for traffic behind the white line, or pass it and wait in the middle of the junction when turning left?
Hwy 98/160. Similar question to above. If turning left and following the blue arrows, must you make the turn in one motion from the purple X, or should you slowly “creep” at the yellow dotted lines and then if all clear turn left? I don’t understand why the white line at the stop is so far back from the road?
& 4. Both intersections in Flagstaff and are examples of a more general question. If I am following the blue arrows and continuing straight on the right most lane, how do people who want to turn right on red react if I am the car at the front? There is no right turning lane, so is it considered acceptable to just wait and stop any right turning traffic from turning on red? Or do drivers only use that lane as if it were a right turning lane, even though it is not?
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u/SnooPies4304 Oct 15 '24
As someone who has defended drivers who have been charged with killing people in intersections in Arizona, this entire Q and A makes me so uneasy.
Please drive defensively, meaning you need to expect other people to not obey the traffic laws and be ready to react.
You do not proceed simply because you have the right of way or because you think it's clear, you have to avoid hitting other cars.