Standardized Left-Turn Rules Are Needed

I get so frustrated when I have to wait to turn left at a busy intersection, only to have cars continue to proceed straight through from the opposite direction until the light turns red again. Sometimes the light has to change several times before I finally get my chance to turn left. Meanwhile, other drivers have lined up behind me -- also waiting to turn left -- causing traffic to back up. This situation should never occur anywhere in the U.S.

At any busy intersection with a traffic light, there should always be a left-turn arrow. This guarantees a chance for those who need to turn left. Otherwise, there is no guarantee and left-turners could theoretically have to wait forever to make their turns. Of course, this is assuming there is a separate left-turn lane, which is not always the case at busy intersections, but should be. 

Those wanting to go straight ahead or turn right should never have to wait behind a left-turner. I've seen configurations in which there is a separate lane for right-turners and another lane for both left-turners and those wanting to go straight ahead. This makes no sense at all as it places more value on one person's secondary right (i.e., to turn right on red) than on someone else's primary right (i.e. to proceed straight through in a timely manner when they have a green light, and not have to wait behind left-turners).