Seagull intersection

Seagull intersections get their name from the pattern that the two cross-traffic turn lanes make when looking down at them from the air.

In a seagull intersection, one or more lanes of traffic on the arterial road, on the carriageway opposite the intersecting side road, are free flowing, that is, one direction of traffic on the arterial is allowed to travel straight through without stopping.

Most intersections use traffic lights, while others use give way (yield) and stop signs, and sometimes roundabouts.

Additionally, there are economic and social benefits to reducing delay time and allowing drivers to pass through the intersection quicker.

In such cases, often that lane is also specially delimited with pavement markings or other lane separation devices, to keep left-turning traffic on the intersecting road from colliding with traffic proceeding through the intersection on the main road.