Dear Editor:
For clarification, in the hypothetical scenario presented in my Pet Peeve column, the motorist is waiting an hour for the traffic to clear on Highway 56, not yielding to oncoming traffic for an hour.
My column generated some debate, but the majority of the comments were in agreement and only a couple weren’t.
I paid another visit to the Stettler RCMP detachment after the column was published and a constable confirmed what I said was correct.
He provided me with the information from Section 34(2) rules of the road, which states: a person driving a vehicle shall not turn or attempt to turn the vehicle to the left across the path of an approaching vehicle unless the turn can be completed in safety.
Page 58 of the Driver’ Guide handbook under intersection reminders states: a driver turning left across to path of an approaching vehicle CANNOT turn left until it is safe.
Class 1 driver-training instructor Todd Wright commented:
“Even though you got there first and the westbound vehicle got there shortly after, you cannot turn until it is safe. The westbound vehicle may or may not stop at the stop sign, but you are crossing his lane of travel. Therefore, he has the right of way and you should not turn left across his path until it is safe.”
It seems people interpret rules differently, and hopefully there will not be a collision at that intersection.
Perhaps the best solution would be for Alberta Transportation to install traffic lights there.
Les Stulberg,
Endiang