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FHP Explains Improper Turns And Passing Following Molino Crash
July 2, 2024
A semi-truck driver making a turn from Highway 97 was cited after a pickup truck attempting to pass him struck the truck Monday in Molino.’
Many NorthEscambia.com readers questioned how the semi driver could be at fault, so we reached out to the Florida Highway Patrol for more details on how the law works.
But fist, a recap of what FHP says happened Monday:
The crash happened about 11:40 a.m. on Highway 97 at Gibson Road. The Florida Highway Patrol said the northbound semi attempted to make a left-hand turn onto Gibson Road. The pickup driver, also northbound, “initiated a pass in a lawful passing zone”, FHP said.
The semi turned in front of the pickup causing the front of the pickup to collide with the left side of the cab of the semi. The pickup truck left the roadway and crashed into a wooded area at the intersection, while the truck came to rest in the opposite ditch after striking a utility pole.
The 76-year-old male driver and 66-year-old passenger of the pickup were transported to West Florida Hospital by Escambia County EMS. The semi driver, a 62-year-old from Alabama, was not injured.
FHP said the driver of the semi was cited for an improper left turn.
FHP Explains Florida law:
“A turn signal is a request, not a demand, and you have to ensure a clear path of travel to your left, right, front, and rear before executing any turn or lane change,” Lt. Jason King said.
“The biggest thing is a blinker is a request to take an action and changing direction. not a demand, and if someone is committed to passing, they legally occupy the lane first,” he said. “When you begin a turn you violate their right of way”.
King said FHP often issues a citation for an improper turn in this type of situation.
NorthEscambia.com photos, click to enlarge.
Comments
16 Responses to “FHP Explains Improper Turns And Passing Following Molino Crash”
This law is broken. Seems to me the driver doing the passing has the advantage and should be required to make sure all is clear before doing so. I guess the semi driver should have just come to a complete stop to ensure no one is attempting a pass.
This law, and citing the semi Driver, are exactly the kind of things that cause more accidents.I.e. the more people know the law will protect them from their stupidity, the more stupid acts they’ll commit.
Gazillions of people pass semis EVERY chance they get, no matter how dangerous the situation is. I’ve done it and it’s not always a smart move.
I will bet $$ that NOBODY in government will move to change this law.
So what about when the truck driver signals and the four wheeler suddenly sprints to the passing lane? I’ve been that truck driver where this happens, MANY times.
Maybe the rule ought to be; that big truck’s turn signal is a Notice of Intent, not a Request for Permission.
REGARDING:
316.084 When overtaking on the right is permitted.— (a) When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn;
——————
Why on earth would anyone want to drive into the path of another vehicle is beyond me, but if the law tells people that you can (& should) drive into the path of another vehicle then it really should be rewritten”
I wonder if the words were understood.
This requires two lanes going the same way. A vehicle is in the left lane about to turn left. Someone coming from behind does not have to stop and wait if the right lane is open. They would not be driving into anyone’s path.
316.084 When overtaking on the right is permitted.—
(1) The driver of a vehicle may overtake and pass on the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions:
(a) When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn;
——————
Why on earth would anyone want to drive into the path of another vehicle is beyond me, but if the law tells people that you can (& should) drive into the path of another vehicle then it really should be rewritten to require people to not drive into left-turning vehicles. It’s common sense, especially with how little people pay attention to their vehicle & other vehicles lately, thinking that the cars just drive themselves so why not?
“There is a double yellow at this intersection. I thought if you are passing you needed to have completed the pass before the double lines. Maybe I’m wrong.”
It’s actually not. It’s marked as a passing zone approaching the intersection from both directions and at the intersection. Don’t know why, but it is. And FHP noted in their report that it was a “lawful passing zone”
I would think FHP took these statues into consideration along with statements from the drivers and any witnesses. The passing left of center rules are different outside a municipality on state and county roads. .
316.187. In Part ….. When approaching within 100 feet of or traversing any intersection, except that this section shall not apply to any intersection on a state-maintained or county-maintained highway located outside city limits unless such intersection is marked by an official Department of Transportation or county road department traffic control device indicating an intersection either by symbol or by words and such marking is placed at least 100 feet before the intersection;
316.122 Vehicle turning left.—The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left within an intersection or into an alley, private road, or driveway shall yield the right-of-way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction, or vehicles lawfully passing on the left of the turning vehicle, which is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard. A violation of this section is a noncriminal traffic infraction, punishable as a moving violation as provided in chapter 318.
316.085 In Part… (2) No vehicle shall be driven from a direct course in any lane on any highway until the driver has determined that the vehicle is not being approached or passed by any other vehicle in the lane or on the side to which the driver desires to move and that the move can be completely made with safety and without interfering with the safe operation of any vehicle approaching from the same direction.
There is a double yellow at this intersection. I thought if you are passing you needed to have completed the pass before the double lines. Maybe I’m wrong.
@ ridiculous:
A driver is responsible for keeping an eye out for any cars behind. If you decide to turn, and you do not see a vehicle that you had seen following you, an effort needs to be made to ensure the vehicle is not in a blind spot when turning.
Let me tell you how often I’m watching for pass requests via turn signals in my rear view mirrors….
So, using a turn signal to initiate a pass is not also considered a request?
What if no signal is used? What if the signal is broken? What if there are no cameras to prove signal usage? Who signaled first? who says, who saw, WHO KNOWS?
This law needs to be changed, it only encourages impatience and poor decisions…
I have saw numerous almost head on collisions at this stretch of highway that I live 3 miles north of..it is simple common sense that a double line should be where any intersection connects to a major highway that is very heavily traveled and drivers are so impatient and distracted.
So does this only apply if the vehicle turning left uses their turn signal? That’s what it sounds like from the explanation.
This is the dumbest traffic law on the books and needs to be changed.
Thank you. Explained like that it makes sense. Before I thought it sounded dumb that the one turning was at fault.
I was taught 60 years ago you CANT PASS AT INTERSECIONS ON 2 LANE ROADS etc.
Bridges
Yellow line on your side
Emergency / law vehicles
Dont forget about the farmer near this accident that had the same thing happen.
If I am pulling into my drive from a left turn, am I to allow 100 cars behind me to pass me. YES BY THE LAW.
With our ever increasing traffic this traffic regulation is dangerous. usually a row of vehicles lines up behind a stopped car waiting for an opening to make a left turn. impatient drivers will pull out of the waiting cars and pass at the exact moment the waiting car starts to make the turn ..,