Good Question: Are these drivers breaking the law?

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WHEC)— Time to answer a Good Question about a very busy stretch of road.

News10NBC’s Brennan Somers has heard several drivers asking and talking about all the traffic along Empire Boulevard. It’s busy. Its four lanes take drivers to and from the suburbs.

There are a lot of businesses and properties heading out to Penfield and Webster so you have a lot of people turning here. A viewer brought this up: Curious why there are no signs on Empire Boulevard through the bay area that say no left turn when the state law says that cars should not turn left over that double yellow line?

There are double lines everywhere, not just here. People turn all the time. Are they really breaking the law? The short answer is no.

The state DMV says "Double solid lines: You can not pass or change lanes. you cannot go across the lines except to turn left to enter or leave the highway (e.g., to or from a driveway or to do a u-turn)."

And yes, that covers the entrance to a business.

Monroe County deputies also remind you there are some rules drivers should be following. State traffic law says if you’re turning over a double yellow you need to have the turn signal flashing for at least 100 ft and don’t rush it to turn in front of oncoming traffic.

Double yellow lines are really just meant to be no passing zones. But this isn’t a one size fits all rule. Certain areas may have signs put up for safety reasons declaring them no turn zones so just keep an eye out.

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Watch previous Good Question segments here. If you have a question you’d like answered, email GoodQuestion@whec.com.