Pittsburgh Left

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The "Pittsburgh Left" is a colloquial term for a controversial rule of the road that is associated almost exclusively with the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania area. It refers to the counter-intuitive practice of left-turning vehicles taking precedence over vehicles going straight through an intersection.

1 Process
2 Signals
3 Theoretical Application
4 Legal Basis
5 Regional Exclusivity
6 Trivia
7 References

[edit] Process

The "Pittsburgh Left" involves two cars waiting at a traffic light or other stop signal: one turning left and one going straight. The left-turning car will execute its turn through the intersection before the car going straight passes through the intersection, where normally it would yield. Permission to do so is either given (by the car going straight), or taken (by the left-turning car cutting in front of the other car).

[edit] Signals

Generally, a wave of the hand in the direction of the turn or a flashing of headlights (by the driver going straight) will indicate permission for the left-turning driver to execute the turn. Conversely, the driver navigating the turn may attempt to signal the other driver for permission to do so, with similar hand motions or headlight signals.

[edit] Theoretical Application

Because many streets in Pittsburgh are narrow and often filled with parked cars, one lane of traffic in either direction is not unusual. Therefore, a driver waiting to turn left at a light is going to hold up the entire lane of traffic behind them, unless the opposing driver lets them make their turn.

[edit] Legal Basis

Failing to yield to oncoming traffic while navigating a turn is a serious traffic violation, and is prohibited in the state of Pennsylvania. However, the maneuver is mildly tolerated in the Pittsburgh area, despite the authorities' attempts to discourage it. Pittsburgh residents generally dislike the maneuver when it inconveniences them, but sometimes rely on it to cut travel time.^[1]

[edit] Regional Exclusivity

Despite its nomenclature, the Pittsburgh Left is not exclusive to the Pittsburgh region.

[edit] Trivia

One variation of this traditional practice is rumored to have been a contributing factor to the motorcycle accident injuring Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger on June 12, 2006, in Pittsburgh.^[2]