Legal Question in Traffic Law in California

If I am making a left turn into a private driveway, am I allowed to cross a solid double yellow line AND the left turn pocket for the opposite side of the road? Here is a diagram of what I mean:

http://img823.imageshack.us/img823/9290/trafficf.jpg Thanks for your help.


Asked on 8/24/10, 1:18 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys

Scott Brear Law Practice of Scott Irvin Brear

You must always consider that the legal effect of a double-double yellow line is the equivalent of a concrete wall. You can NOT cross it unless breaks are shown in the double yellow on the side you wish to enter. The general meaning of a single double yellow line is to warn against passing another car. There is generally no proviso that one can not ever cross a double yellow line to make what would otherwise be a legal left turn. Now, with the turn pocket there, you still have no more yellow lines providing guidance. What you have is guidance lines to channel to turning car, but i would suggest that there is no outright reason why you turning across this pocket to enter a drive on the other side is prohibited UNLESS this turn could be considered too close to the turn pocket intersection? If that was not mentioned, then I fail to see a case by the police.

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Answered on 8/29/10, 1:54 pm


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