Louisiana Class D Chauffeur's License Practice Test

What is the procedure for taking a left turn at a traffic light?

1. Turn immediately without looking

2. Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians and proceed when safe

3. Complete the turn regardless of traffic

4. Signal and wait for a green arrow before turning

The correct answer is: Yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians and proceed when safe

When taking a left turn at a traffic light, the correct procedure involves yielding to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, proceeding only when it is safe to do so. This is important for several reasons. First, yielding to oncoming traffic ensures that you do not collide with vehicles that are traveling straight through the intersection. These vehicles may have the right of way, especially when you do not have a dedicated left-turn signal. Secondly, yielding to pedestrians is crucial to ensure their safety; they may be crossing the intersection, and it's important to wait for them to clear before making your turn. This consideration for others on the road prevents accidents and supports safe driving practices. Other options do not align with safe driving habits. For instance, turning immediately without looking could lead to devastating accidents. Mainly, it's essential to be aware of your surroundings. Completing the turn regardless of traffic or signaling and waiting for a green arrow would not take into account the necessity of checking for other vehicles and pedestrians first. Those actions could potentially create hazardous conditions on the road.