South Carolina Driver's Permit Practice Exam

If turning left on a solid green light with oncoming traffic, what should you do?

1. Turn immediately without hesitation

2. Stop and wait for a green arrow

3. Proceed slightly into the intersection and yield to oncoming traffic before turning

4. Signal and wait for oncoming vehicles to pass

The correct answer is: Proceed slightly into the intersection and yield to oncoming traffic before turning

When turning left on a solid green light with oncoming traffic, the appropriate action is to proceed slightly into the intersection and yield to oncoming traffic before making your turn. This response is necessary because a solid green light indicates that you have the right of way, but it does not give you the absolute right of way over oncoming vehicles that may be proceeding straight through the intersection. Entering the intersection allows you to have a clear view of oncoming traffic, which is vital for making a safe turn. Yielding to oncoming traffic ensures that you do not interfere with vehicles that travel straight through the intersection, helping to prevent accidents. This technique allows you to complete your turn only when you are sure that the path is clear, maintaining the flow of traffic safely. In contrast, turning immediately without hesitation could lead to a collision with oncoming vehicles. Stopping and waiting for a green arrow is unnecessary in this situation since the solid green light grants you permission to move, albeit with caution. Lastly, signaling and waiting for oncoming vehicles to pass may be one way to approach the turn, but it is not as efficient as proceeding into the intersection where you can directly assess the traffic situation.