In the province of Alberta, it is one hundred percent legal for a motorist to make a left hand turn at a red light when he is doing so from a one way street, onto a one way street. Simply observe the same precautions you would as when making a right hand turn at any other red light.
It irks me no end to pull up behind some random schlep, idling blissfully while waiting for the light to turn green, with absolutely no observable hindrance in terms of perpendicular traffic flow in the direction I am yearning to turn. My completely non-scientific study suggests that only about 10% of drivers actually exhibit awareness of this ability. And given the penchant for Alberta drivers to be slightly more aggressive than those from other parts of Canada, at least by reputation insofar as I am aware, I'm a little surprised that there aren't more folks doing it. (I've performed this particular manoeuvre with a police cruiser right behind me, so know what I'm talking about.)
I was amazed some time ago to learn that, until relatively recently, Quebec drivers weren't even allowed to turn right at red lights. Now it's only prohibited on Montreal Island and certain designated intersections.
Damn lemmings...
If they ever allow right on red on the Island of Montreal, they'd better have cleared all of the emergency rooms from here to your house.
Posted by: fv | Wednesday, 01 December 2004 at 10:28 PM