Not my post but comments were locked. Be mindful when on the road.

OP is u/Street_Surprise_405

For all the random bashers of the OP and “throwing the book”, or “handbook” (DMV) at them, let’s have an unnecessary lesson.

First of all, it is a “yellow arrow”, and although the “handbook” doesn’t state the same precautions as the solid yellow light, a reasonable person would hopefully piggy back those precautions when adding to the specifics of the yellow arrow. Solid yellow means “caution” as most people have stated via the “handbook”, and it also tells you to stop if you can do so safely (at a yellow light) and if not proceed through the intersection. (I personally think the wording should be swapped. If you can safely cross the intersection on a yellow, do so, and if not, stop as safely as possible.) But, distractions cause people to neither be able to judge nor pay attention to the momentum (speed) of the car, and the timing of the light because they obviously have no clue when the light turned yellow or what the speed limit even is at a particular intersection (bc of distracted driving).

On a yellow arrow, however, “the protected turning time is ending SOON. If you cannot stop safely, or are already in the intersection, complete your turn.” (Btw that is page 33 of the handbook https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/file/california-driver-handbook-pdf ). And with this one my opinion remains the same with the wording of the solid yellow light scenario. If you are going to stop at a yellow light, every time, you better hope you have great car insurance, a good lawyer, and move somewhere rural so you don’t get your butt beat for stupid driving. Red means stop, so idk why the terminology in the “handbook” of stupidly and not thoroughly proofread wording/thought processes, includes yellow as a safe option to stop at first, instead of safely proceed through. If it isn’t safe to proceed through, obviously stop, but you have to have a decision point (everyone has one at a yellow light or arrow) where you know you are good, know there is no chase you would make it through without running a red light, and then times when it miiight be a testy go or slightly hard adjustment of the brakes and seat belt.

Now go to page 47. As a bicyclist (and using that term as a generality bc this handbook doesn’t specify e-bike specific enhanced responsibilities, liabilities, or consequences if driven recklessly), “obey all traffic signs, SIGNAL signs, and basic right-of-way rules.” This kid has no concept of this basic responsibility.

Now page 58, safe driving and knowing what is at your side and maintain space to maneuver safely and react. “Look both ways, even at intersections where traffic has a red light or stop sign.” Pretty sure, the OP did exactly that. They saw the kid, despite still having the legal opportunity and RIGHT to turn, then stopped because they reacted to the unexpected dingleberry not paying attention to the “stop” on the pedestrian crosswalk signal.

There is your “handbook” 101. Driver technically and legally had the right of way to proceed with their turn, but, given that they were able to adjust and react (as safely as possible) to a kid (that was neither paying attention to nor obeying the traffic laws that they are legally supposed to) and stop, without any collision, fatality, or block the intersection, is pretty admirable, considering the circumstances.