Like a lot of you, I have been driving since I was 16. – So 12 years…..
 (yes I’m 28)
Well, I stumbled across this Q and A from the Seattle PI and it says the following:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/ontheroad/2003961741_ontheroad19e.html
Q: While heading southbound on Highway 18 from Snoqualmie Parkway, Ken Sullivan, of Snoqualmie, sits at the left-turn lane onto Interstate 90 East toward North Bend. He sees one-way traffic coming from the freeway offramp when he looks to the right, and also to the left heading onto the onramp, “clearly marked with a one-way sign,” he said.
Because turning left onto a one-way street from a red light, whether it’s from a one-way or a two-way, is legal, “wouldn’t it be legal to make a left handed turn onto a freeway onramp that is clearly marked as ‘one-way’ from a turn lane for that onramp, on a red light, whether it’s an arrow or otherwise?” he asked.
A: It seems Sullivan correctly answered his own question. Because the ramps essentially form a one-way street, red means go, as long as the road is clear and there is no sign posted prohibiting the turn, Rick Roberts, Washington state Department of Transportation traffic engineer for King County, replied in an e-mail.
Although the maneuver is legal, Roberts advises drivers to be careful, as the law might not be well known.
“Drivers must first stop and wait for all vehicles and pedestrians to clear the intersection before turning left on a red light and should use extra caution because other drivers may not expect that type of movement,” he said.
So, I looked into it further to see if this actually legal….and believe it or not, it is….
According to the RCW:Â http://apps.leg.wa.gov/RCW/default.aspx?cite=46.61.055
(3) Steady red indication
(a) Vehicle operators facing a steady circular red signal alone shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering the crosswalk on the near side of the intersection or, if none, then before entering the intersection control area and shall remain standing until an indication to proceed is shown. However, the vehicle operators facing a steady circular red signal may, after stopping proceed to make a right turn from a one-way or two-way street into a two-way street or into a one-way street carrying traffic in the direction of the right turn; or a left turn from a one-way or two-way street into a one-way street carrying traffic in the direction of the left turn; unless a sign posted by competent authority prohibits such movement. Vehicle operators planning to make such turns shall remain stopped to allow other vehicles lawfully within or approaching the intersection control area to complete their movements. Vehicle operators planning to make such turns shall also remain stopped for pedestrians who are lawfully within the intersection control area as required by RCW 46.61.235(1).
(b) Unless otherwise directed by a pedestrian control signal as provided in RCW 46.61.060 as now or hereafter amended, pedestrians facing a steady circular red signal alone shall not enter the roadway.
(c) Vehicle operators facing a steady red arrow indication may not enter the intersection control area to make the movement indicated by such arrow, and unless entering the intersection control area to make such other movement as is permitted by other indications shown at the same time, shall stop at a clearly marked stop line, but if none, before entering a crosswalk on the near side of the intersection control area, or if none, then before entering the intersection control area and shall remain standing until an indication to make the movement indicated by such arrow is shown. However, the vehicle operators facing a steady red arrow indication may, after stopping proceed to make a right turn from a one-way or two-way street into a two-way street or into a one-way street carrying traffic in the direction of the right turn; or a left turn from a one-way street or two-way street into a one-way street carrying traffic in the direction of the left turn; unless a sign posted by competent authority prohibits such movement. Vehicle operators planning to make such turns shall remain stopped to allow other vehicles lawfully within or approaching the intersection control area to complete their movements. Vehicle operators planning to make such turns shall also remain stopped for pedestrians who are lawfully within the intersection control area as required by RCW 46.61.235(1).
So in other words…..
If you are waiting to take a left turn onto a Freeway On-Ramp (a one way street), you are legally allowed to make that left turn on a Red Arrow or Red Circular Light….unless there is a sign telling you that is not allowed.
What do you think?
– Chase