I also admit that I have certain pet peeves. Some of my biggest pet peeves are those associated with driving - one of the biggest being related to the left turn lane. This one:
This lane is used for turning left - into or out of.Number 1. You can use this lane to turn left onto another street (in the picture below, it's the arrow coming from the left). Most people already know this. Of course, there are those who don't remember that there are still others on the road, which is why one state had to issue this in a press release: "...drive completely inside the turn lane. Do not stop at an angle with the rear of your vehicle blocking traffic." In other words, don't let your rear-end hang out in the through-lanes while you're trying to turn left!
Also, use this lane to slow down before you turn. Please don't slow down in regular traffic, and then enter the turning lane to turn left. That is just annoying!
Number 2. My biggest problem, however, is the misuse of this lane by people turning into it (in the picture above, it's the arrow coming from the top).
Here is part of the same press release about how to do this maneuver: "Wait for an opening in traffic on the near side of the street. Watch for vehicles entering the center lane to turn left." Notice that it doesn't say anything about the traffic coming from the right, or far side, of the street. That's because there is no need to worry about this traffic. If the lane is used properly, as the instructions state, "When safe, turn left driving completely into the center lane," there is no need to wait for the traffic to clear on the right side. This means that you don't have to wait an hour before you make your move! Hurray!!!
Turn left, and move completely into the center lane. You don't turn left and move directly into the through-traffic lanes. This can be dangerous. What if there is a car that you didn't notice in one of those lanes? Always turn into the center turning lane, even if you think there is no traffic coming.
Number 3. Finally, and this is my biggest issue with this lane, DON'T STOP in the lane once you've turned. Unless there is another left turn lane in front of you, or the traffic is stopped in the through-lanes, once you enter the center turning lane, you should increase your speed until you can safely merge with the traffic in the through-lanes. Merge does not mean sit and wait for an opening! It means speed up until you are at the same speed as the other traffic and then move over.
You have 200 FFET that you are allowed to travel in the center turning lane. Use it!
Good luck, and safe driving!!!
7 comments:
Yeah, I call this the suicide lane, because that's how I feel when I'm in it. It's totally misused in this state. I actually remember learning it is for left turns ONLY; none of this merging crap....because hi, if someone on the opposite side of traffic is sitting waiting to turn left--smack!
I hate it when people slow down in traffic, then decide to get into that lane meant, which is meant for the deceleration......Grrr.
I have driving issues too. Bad drivers are usually the antecedent to colorful language.
(oops, sorry for the little typo in the 2nd paragraph.....)
I learned just the opposite - that you are SUPPOSED to turn into the lane from a street to end your turn, and then merge. Of course, that was in Southern Cali. I know you guys up in NoCal do things a little differently.
Naturally, you have to look out for people in that lane as you merge so that you don't run into them!
It been a while since I had a driving lesson so I very well could have been, or am, an annoying driver! Thanks for the reminder, but probably other drivers will be thanking you even more!!! :)
Ah, get over it...you've lived in Utah almost as long as you lived in California. As far as I'm concerned you're a Utahrd (and you married one too).
It's been 8 long years of listening to constant complaining about Utah driving - the fact is there are bad drivers everywhere (Idaho is a perfect example). I imagine if we lived in Kansas you'd be complaining about them too.
P.S. - I love you.
Wait a minute. I didn't say I was complaining about Utah drivers! I am just frustrated in general at anyone that doesn't use this lane properly. You're right, I would complain about people in Kansas if they didn't know how to use the center lane.
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