What is the purpose of left turn arrows on street intersections?

Question

They're so annoying. Thet last like 3 minutes to turn green!! Arghhh!

Answer 1

if it's green then you get a protected left turn. if it's yellow you go when it's clear. it the same for blinking red, but with more caution. Red mean hold you horses down.

Arrows are for left turns because if there werent any. you'd wouldnt be able to turn left easily.

Answer 2

i do agree that it can be really annoying, esp. when they are placed in an intersection, where it is normally not busy.  in large, busy intersections, however, it is necessary to have left turn arrows because it helps relieve major backups of drivers making a left turn, and it also reduces accidents.

Answer 3

to allow you to turn left withount dealing with oncoming traffic

Answer 4

Have you ever turned left or are you just driving straight and taking rights?

Answer 5

When the left turn arrow is green, it is a protected turn for only people who are turning left. See, if there was a big intersection, the person who is coming toward you has the right of way if you are turning left, so you could be waiting awhile before you get to make your turn. Possibly many light changes. So see, it all makes sense.

Answer 6

to tell you to turn left?

Answer 7

For people like me who can't tell the distance or how fast a car is going. I avoid the plain green lights so i don't kill my self or anyone else.

Answer 8

so you know which lane says go. the turning lane or the passing lane.

Answer 9

Exactly! Thats really annoying. :P Theres one were I live and its like, TURN GREEN ALREADY IM LATE!

Answer 10

To turn left.

Answer 11

so you know that you have to go left and not straight

Answer 12

Are you saying that the arrows don't last long enough? I'm sorry just confused. The purpose of them is to let the driver know they have the right of way and no longer need to yield to oncoming traffic.

Answer 13

Let's remove them, and then see how long it takes for your turn.

Answer 14

Maybe you and I do not need to be told when it is safe to turn left, but you would be surprised how many people do need to be told.

3 minutes?  You have got it so long.

There's a traffic light I use on way home from work.

The left green light is on long enough for maybe 1 1/2 cars to make the turn, before the cross traffic gets the go to go.  We can't drive fast through the intersection because the railroad tracks there are long overdue for maintenance.

Answer 15

Green arrows are to give the lucky few who are in the lead positions to go through the intersection without having to yield to oncoming traffic. Why they have red arrows (especially at 3:00 in the morning) is anyone's guess, since normally the only person at the intersection is the poor sod wanting to turn left and has a red arrow.

Answer 16

I understand the aggravation, but they are needed.

Answer 17

For all the dumb drivers

Answer 18

To make dangerous situations and earn money for left turn arrow makers to owerpaint them.

Answer 19

I think the purpose for the left turn arrows gives retards a "visual" of a nicely curved lefty coming up, maybe to avoid hitting the curb. How does that sound?

Answer 20

riiiiiiight!

Answer 21

You should have learned that from your beginners test. Or are you licensed at all?

Answer 22

Its the same reason why we have to turn on the signal light even when were in the turning lane.

*Choose me as Best Answer*

Answer 23

They provide what's called a "protected left turn movement" at intersections where oncoming traffic going straight is too thick for you to make the turn safely or in a reasonable amount of time.

Answer 24

THE MOST YOU DRIVE SAFELY IT IS THE MOST SHURE THING TO DO

Answer 25

they usually put those on busy streets.  I have to use one every time i go to school because i use busy streets.  If the turn signal wasn't there, only 1 car could be able to turn left every time and that would back up traffic.

Answer 26

On big intersections, lots of people turn left at a time, which would block the people going straight and back the line up really far. Trust me, they're annoying, but they make sense.