california traffic
Is it legally allowed to run a red light by make a double right turn at intersection?
<p>I was at the red light in an intersection, the street to my right was a residential undivided street. This car made a curve to that street and turn right out. It wasn't even a U turn. The path the car took is in the diagram.<br>
<a href="https://i.stack.imgur.com/wc3aj.png" rel="nofollow noreferrer"><img src="https://i.stack.imgur.com/wc3aj.png" alt="diagram"></a>
I think it is at best a very jerk movement with no driving manner. Right turn at red light is allowed, but his intention was clearly to get pass the red light.  </p>

<p>The route described is probably in violation of <a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&amp;sectionNum=22100." rel="noreferrer">Section 22100 of the vehicle code</a>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Except as provided in Section 22100.5 or 22101, the driver of any vehicle intending to turn upon a highway shall do so as follows:
  (a) Right Turns. Both the approach for a right-hand turn and a right-hand turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb</p>
</blockquote>

<p>The approach for the second turn is being made from the middle of the road.  Neither of the exceptions apply, as 22100.5 is about U-turns at traffic lights, while 22101 is about turns controlled by markings or signs.</p>

<p>Additionally, since you describe the route as a "curve to the street and turn right out", it's probably in violation of <a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&amp;sectionNum=22105." rel="noreferrer">Section 22105</a>: </p>

<blockquote>
  <p>No person shall make a U-turn upon any highway where the driver of such vehicle does not have an unobstructed view for 200 feet in both directions along the highway and of any traffic thereon.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>Since the driver didn't make a complete right turn, it's likely that the forward view of oncoming traffic was partially blocked by the car's A-pillar or even the passenger seat, while the backward view of traffic was limited because none of the car's mirrors was pointed in the correct direction.</p>

<p>It's certainly in violation of <a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&amp;sectionNum=22108." rel="noreferrer">Section 22108</a>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Any signal of intention to turn right or left shall be given continuously during the last 100 feet traveled by the vehicle before turning.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>The side road's not a hundred feet wide.  There's no way the driver could have given the required signal for the second right turn.</p>

<p>There's a decent chance this is also in violation of <a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&amp;sectionNum=22102." rel="noreferrer">Section 22102 of the vehicle code</a>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>No person in a business district shall make a U-turn, except at an intersection, or on a divided highway where an opening has been provided in accordance with Section 21651.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>The six lanes of the main highway make it likely that this intersection is in a business district.  "Business district" is rather broad, including not only roads lined by businesses, but roads lined by apartment complexes and other multi-family housing developments.</p>

<p>And finally, the catch-all offense of "reckless driving" (<a href="https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=VEH&amp;sectionNum=23103." rel="noreferrer">Section 23103</a>) could probably be applied:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>A person who drives a vehicle upon a highway in willful or wanton disregard for the safety of persons or property is guilty of reckless driving.</p>
</blockquote>

<p>No, of course you can not veer into another street to make a turn. You stay within your lane or lanes, if you want to phrase it that way.
<a href="https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/hdbk/turns" rel="nofollow noreferrer">https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/hdbk/turns</a></p>
