Pittsburgh Left

The Pittsburgh Left is a colloquial term for an illegal and controversial [ [http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/news/cityregion/s_457936.html "Pittsburgh Left" seen by many as a local right] - Mike Wereschagin, Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, June 14, 2006] driving practice associated with the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. It refers to the practice of the first left-turning vehicle taking precedence over vehicles going straight through an intersection.

Process

The Pittsburgh Left involves two cars facing one another waiting at a traffic light or other stop signal: one turning left and one going straight. The left-turning car will execute its turn through the intersection before the car going straight passes through the intersection, where normally it would yield. Permission to do so is either given by the car going straight, or sometimes taken by the left-turning car by starting through the left turn early enough so as not to obstruct the straight-going driver. This practice is seen as courteous, because a very small delay for the oncoming vehicle can eliminate a long delay for the left turning vehicle and those blocked behind it.

In practice, Pittsburgh drivers often make the Pittsburgh Left by anticipating the green signal after cross-traffic has stopped or cleared, but before the actual signal change. This practice is so common that straight-going drivers in the area are accustomed to pausing a moment before proceeding on green, for their own safety.fact|date=August 2008

One variation of this traditional practice is rumored to have been a contributing factor to the motorcycle accident injuring Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on June 12, 2006, in Pittsburgh. [ [http://kdka.com/topstories/local_story_164171223.html Sources: Driver Will Not Face Criminal Charges] - KDKA.com, June 13, 2006]

ignals

Generally, a wave of the hand in the direction of the turn or a flashing of headlights by the driver going straight will indicate permission for the left-turning driver to execute the turn. Conversely, the driver navigating the turn may attempt to signal the other driver for permission to do so, with similar hand motions or headlight signals. Furthermore, simply a delay by the straight-bound car can often initiate the signal, and give the left turner time to go and make the turn, especially in large intersections.fact|date=July 2008

Legal basis

The Pittsburgh Left has no basis in law. Failing to yield to oncoming traffic while navigating a turn is a serious traffic violation, and is prohibited in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. [ [http://www.dmv.state.pa.us/drivers_manual/pa_driversman.shtml PENNDOT "Pennsylvania Driver's Manual"] Chapter 3 Page 39; Aug 11, 2008] and elsewhere, too.

Regional exclusivity

Despite its nomenclature, the Pittsburgh Left is not exclusive to the Pittsburgh region. It is quite common in cities with high levels of traffic congestion, namely those in the eastern United States such as New York City, Boston and Washington, D.C.fact|date=July 2008

References