Quote[/b] ]Vehicle Code
Entering Intersection, Rail Crossing, or Marked Crosswalk
22526. (a) Notwithstanding any official traffic control signal indication to proceed, a driver of a vehicle shall not enter an intersection or marked crosswalk unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the intersection or marked crosswalk to accommodate the vehicle driven without obstructing the through passage of vehicles from either side.
(b) A driver of a vehicle which is making a turn at an intersection who is facing a steady circular yellow or yellow arrow signal shall not enter the intersection or marked crosswalk unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the intersection or marked crosswalk to accommodate the vehicle driven without obstructing the through passage of vehicles from either side.
© A driver of a vehicle shall not enter a railroad or rail transit crossing, notwithstanding any official traffic control device or signal indication to proceed, unless there is sufficient space on the other side of the railroad or rail transit crossing to accommodate the vehicle driven or there is sufficient undercarriage clearance to cross the intersection without obstructing the through passage of a railway vehicle, including, but not limited to, a train, trolley, or city transit vehicle.
(d) A local authority may post appropriate signs at the entrance to intersections indicating the prohibition in subdivisions (a), (b), and ©.
(e) A violation of this section is not a violation of a law relating to the safe operation of vehicles and is the following:
(1) A stopping violation when a notice to appear has been issued by a peace officer described in Section ( ) 830.1, 830.2, or 830.33 of the Penal Code.
(2) A parking violation when a notice of parking violation is issued by a person, other than a peace officer described in paragraph (1), who is authorized to enforce parking statutes and regulations.
(f) This section shall be known and may be cited as the Anti-Gridlock Act of 1987.
The first section there pretty much says it all... This is taken directly from the California Vehicle Code. Obviously every state has its own vehicle codes so anyone unsure of the laws in their state should research it for themselves.
Joossa, you are from California so it might be in your best interest to know this law...
Cheers
Steve