Bill Westenberger

Follow Intersection Laws for Safer Driving

BY BILL WESTENBERGER

Roadway dangers are all around us. Over the recent Memorial Day holiday, the Georgia Department of Public Safety reported 12 traffic fatalities across the state. The Kennesaw Police Department, along with other agencies, always is working to bring awareness of and voluntary compliance with the rules of the road. We recognize the majority of accidents truly are accidental. Most drivers don’t try to ruin their travel plans by running into another vehicle. Even though safety equipment on vehicles continues to improve, roadways have become increasingly dangerous.

We easily can look to many contributing factors, such as speed and distracted driving, as the root causes of dangerous roads. Many times, however, it is a lack of understanding of the traffic laws that can create havoc. Let’s look at two laws regarding intersections.

The first law concerns creating obstructions in intersections. Many times, when there is stopped traffic ahead, but the traffic signal is green, drivers will continue to enter the intersection. On the surface, it seems safe and legal. However, too many times, the light will change while vehicles are obstructing the intersection and blocking other vehicles’ paths. Georgia Code § 40-6-205 states, “No driver shall enter an intersection unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the intersection to accommodate the vehicle he is operating without

Failure to obey intersection laws, such as yielding the right of way, can lead to numerous accidents.

obstructing the passage of other vehicles or pedestrians. …”

Another common hazard occurs when a driver on a multi-lane road comes to an intersection and wants to turn left onto a two-lane road. Many times, the left-turning driver will see an approaching vehicle turning right and expects that driver to yield. Georgia Code § 40-6-71 states, “The driver of a vehicle intending to turn to the left within an intersection or into an alley, private road or driveway shall yield the right of way to any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction which is within the intersection or so close thereto as to constitute an immediate hazard.”

Although many of us took driver’s training and often heard the phrase “defensive driving,” we have forgotten what that really means. Too many times, driving becomes hurried and aggressive. Even when there’s not an emergency or immediate need, we seem to be in a hurry to cram as much as possible into each minute. Even in cases where there isn’t injury, nothing will slow us down more than accidents — especially when it’s our vehicle involved.

Let’s be cautious and controlled in our driving; we really need to arrive safely. We don’t want you to be the next statistic.

Until next time, stay safe.

Bill Westenberger has served as chief since 2008. He was given the 2019 Kennesaw Citizen of the Year Award.