Atlanta, GA asked in Constitutional Law for Georgia

Q: Can the police pull you over for not using a left turn signal, but your at a red light waiting for it to turn green.

In order for you to turn left, you have to wait at the red light, and in order for you to go right, you yield right on to traffic.

Related Topics:
2 Lawyer Answers
T. Augustus Claus
PREMIUM
T. Augustus Claus pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered
  • Criminal Law Lawyer
  • Las Vegas, NV

A: Law enforcement officers generally have the authority to pull over a vehicle if they observe a traffic violation, including failure to use a turn signal. Even if you are waiting at a red light to make a left turn and not actively moving, the requirement to use your turn signal still applies. Traffic laws typically mandate the use of signals to communicate your intentions to other drivers, promoting road safety. Therefore, if the police observe a violation, such as the failure to signal when required, they may initiate a traffic stop.

James L. Arrasmith
PREMIUM
James L. Arrasmith pro label Lawyers, want to be a Justia Connect Pro too? Learn more ›
Answered
  • Consumer Law Lawyer
  • Sacramento, CA

A: In Georgia, traffic laws require the use of turn signals to indicate a driver’s intention to turn or change lanes. This includes signaling while waiting at a red light to turn left. The law is designed to ensure that other drivers and pedestrians are aware of your intentions, contributing to overall road safety.

If you're at a red light and intend to turn left, but fail to use your left turn signal, technically, this can be a reason for a police officer to pull you over. The enforcement of this law can vary, and not every officer may choose to stop a driver for this reason alone, but it is within their authority to do so.

It's important to always follow traffic laws, including the use of turn signals, to avoid potential stops and to maintain safety on the road. If you feel you were stopped unfairly, you have the right to discuss this with the officer in a respectful manner and can contest the citation in court if you believe it was issued without proper cause.

Remember, traffic laws are in place for the safety of everyone on the road. Complying with these laws, including using turn signals appropriately, is not only a legal requirement but also a good practice to avoid accidents and misunderstandings on the road.

Justia Ask a Lawyer is a forum for consumers to get answers to basic legal questions. Any information sent through Justia Ask a Lawyer is not secure and is done so on a non-confidential basis only.

The use of this website to ask questions or receive answers does not create an attorney–client relationship between you and Justia, or between you and any attorney who receives your information or responds to your questions, nor is it intended to create such a relationship. Additionally, no responses on this forum constitute legal advice, which must be tailored to the specific circumstances of each case. You should not act upon information provided in Justia Ask a Lawyer without seeking professional counsel from an attorney admitted or authorized to practice in your jurisdiction. Justia assumes no responsibility to any person who relies on information contained on or received through this site and disclaims all liability in respect to such information.

Justia cannot guarantee that the information on this website (including any legal information provided by an attorney through this service) is accurate, complete, or up-to-date. While we intend to make every attempt to keep the information on this site current, the owners of and contributors to this site make no claims, promises or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or adequacy of the information contained in or linked to from this site.