ODESSA, Texas — On May 10, a driver tried to turn left into a business complex in Odessa, but failed to yield the right of way to a vehicle that was traveling eastbound. This driver collided with the front of the second vehicle, struck a teenager and crashed into Alfredo's Paleteria located at the intersection of 42nd St. and Bonham Ave., according to a press release from the City of Odessa.
This is just one example of an unsafe left turn, according to Steve LeSueur, a corporal with the Odessa Police Department.
"The top three causes of crashes here in Odessa are number one, turning left when it's unsafe, speed and driver inattention," said LeSueur.
LeSueur said oftentimes oncoming drivers from one lane may let people trying to turn left get through, but a vehicle in the lane beside them may not see that vehicle.
If a driver is turning left and a car crashes into their vehicle or vice versa, the driver trying to turn left is always at fault. This is regardless of whether or not the lane beside them let the initial driver through.
"It's just so important to remember that if you are turning left, whether you're at an intersection or you're in the roadway trying to turn left into a private property or if the opposite, if you're in a private parking lot or drive and you're attempting to turn left onto a roadway, just please be careful," said LeSueur.
Sometimes it's easier to turn right and take a different route because it's just not worth it, according to LeSueur.