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Do you use the left-hand turn lane as a merge lane?

Squisher

Squisher

Lifer
This is probably one of the most abused infractions outside of speeding and rolling stop signs. I don't think I've ever seen anyone ever pulled over for it or had anyone mention that they got a ticket for it. It has gotten so ubiquitous that I wonder if people think this is what the left-hand turn lane is for.

EDIT FOR CLARITY (maybe 😉): The center turn lane that you are to use to make a left turn off let's say a five lane highway.

Do you use it when making a left on to that highway and wait for the traffic to clear to merge into traffic?

 
err, what do you mean merge lane? as in you left turn onto the turning lane in the middle of a busy street then wait for way to merge? I thought that is what they are built for?
 
Many of the folks who live in my city are first generation Hispanic drivers who have no concept of waiting in line so, using the turn lane that way is pretty much universal here. 'Course, no one has any idea about what to do at a flashing red light.
 
You mean the emergency lane in the middle of the road? No, it's for emergencies only unless properly marked for a turn lane. People who use it to merge are morons, probably from California.
 
Originally posted by: Squisher
This is probably one of the most abused infractions outside of speeding and rolling stop signs. I don't think I've ever seen anyone ever pulled over for it or had anyone mention that they got a ticket for it. It has gotten so ubiquitous that I wonder if people think this is what the left-hand turn lane is for.
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Do you mean the center turn lane?

That lane is for making left turns either out of or into the traffic on that street.
 
Yes, yes, yes. The center turn lane that you are to use to make a left turn off a highway.

Do you use it when making a left on to that highway and wait for the traffic to clear to merge into traffic?
 
No, that's really rare and I've only seen it done a few times. I'm in Chicago BTW and we have some of the biggest assholes on the road.
 
Originally posted by: Balr0g
Do you mean the center turn lane?

That lane is for making left turns either out of or into the traffic on that street.
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Originally posted by: sdifox
err, what do you mean merge lane? as in you left turn onto the turning lane in the middle of a busy street then wait for way to merge? I thought that is what they are built for?
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No, and it is illegal and dangerous because as you are trying to merge into traffic people are forced to go around you to make their left turns. Also, your attention is looking at the traffic coming up behind you so you can merge to the right, there are people coming from the other direction wanting to make their left turns and as you try to merge you are there in their path.

When making a left turn onto a highway that has a center turn lane you are to wait until traffic is clear in both directions and you have a clear shot at the traffic lanes, just like as if it a highway is without a center turn lane.


 
Originally posted by: Squisher
Originally posted by: Balr0g
Do you mean the center turn lane?

That lane is for making left turns either out of or into the traffic on that street.
Click to expand...

Originally posted by: sdifox
err, what do you mean merge lane? as in you left turn onto the turning lane in the middle of a busy street then wait for way to merge? I thought that is what they are built for?
Click to expand...

No, and it is illegal and dangerous because as you are trying to merge into traffic people are forced to go around you to make their left turns. Also, your attention is looking at the traffic coming up behind you so you can merge to the right, there are people coming from the other direction wanting to make their left turns and as you try to merge you are there in their path.

When making a left turn onto a highway that has a center turn lane you are to wait until traffic is clear in both directions and you have a clear shot at the traffic lanes, just like as if it a highway is without a center turn lane.
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we are not talking about highways are we? I am talking local road. Wide road with middle turning lane. Pretty sure we are supposed to stop there in the middle. And you are not supposed to drive on that lane and you are not looking at the real view mirror so much that you miss a whole car in front of you.

http://www.wikihow.com/Use-the-Center-Turning-Lane

http://www.cityoflilburn.com/i...62B-8DFA-DC4850EF2B98}


http://www.awaredriveronline.com/New_Page_06.htm
 
I've turned left into a left-turn lane when I knew I was going to turn left again right away. I would not use it to merge into the regular lanes.
 
Originally posted by: sdifox
err, what do you mean merge lane? as in you left turn onto the turning lane in the middle of a busy street then wait for way to merge? I thought that is what they are built for?
Click to expand...

No. They are made for turning left, as evidenced by the broken line on the outside and the solid line on the inside.

Do not use a turn lane illegally. It is unsafe.
 
Originally posted by: Balr0g
Originally posted by: Squisher
This is probably one of the most abused infractions outside of speeding and rolling stop signs. I don't think I've ever seen anyone ever pulled over for it or had anyone mention that they got a ticket for it. It has gotten so ubiquitous that I wonder if people think this is what the left-hand turn lane is for.
Click to expand...

Do you mean the center turn lane?

That lane is for making left turns either out of or into the traffic on that street.
Click to expand...

No. It is for making left turns onto other roads.
 
Yes

This question was asked by another person I was taking a defensive driving course with. The instructor said here (Arkasnas) that this is allowed but you are not to drive down the center lane to try to merge. You are supposed to get in it and stop and wait for traffic to clear.

 
Originally posted by: Walking in Circles
Originally posted by: sdifox
err, what do you mean merge lane? as in you left turn onto the turning lane in the middle of a busy street then wait for way to merge? I thought that is what they are built for?
Click to expand...

No. They are made for turning left, as evidenced by the broken line on the outside and the solid line on the inside.

Do not use a turn lane illegally. It is unsafe.
Click to expand...

not sure we are talking about the same thing... look at my previous post with the links to understand which one I am referring to.
 
Originally posted by: Squisher
Yes, yes, yes. The center turn lane that you are to use to make a left turn off a highway.

Do you use it when making a left on to that highway and wait for the traffic to clear to merge into traffic?
Click to expand...

There aren't any center turn lanes on any highways that I've ever seen. Just some of the busier roads. The lanes are there because the road is busier, so it's needed for people to get out of and into traffic.

In that case, yes I would use it to make a left turn - i.e. if oncoming traffic from the left is clear - but there is another car coming from the right that I need to wait for, but if I just sit there and wait for it, then the other traffic will block me and I'll be sititng there forever. So I would turn into the center turn lane to get past the oncoming traffic from the left, allow the car from the right to pass while I get up to speed and merge over. This is what these lanes are designed to do.

I grew up in California though. I found a page in the CA driver handbook outlining it's use:

http://dev07.tdcweb.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/pgs22thru25.htm
 
Originally posted by: Squisher
This is probably one of the most abused infractions outside of speeding and rolling stop signs. I don't think I've ever seen anyone ever pulled over for it or had anyone mention that they got a ticket for it. It has gotten so ubiquitous that I wonder if people think this is what the left-hand turn lane is for.
Click to expand...

my friend wasnt pulled over for it, but he got a ticket for the head on collision that happened when he made a left turn and spent too long in the lane. he was in an old international scout and the lady that also pulled into the yellow lane to merge was in a ford explorer. head on collision at about 30mph doesnt do THAT much dmg, but it was enough to total the ford. they both got tickets for illegal left turn lane use.

i have gotten yelled at, flipped off and had people get out of their cars (stupid) to find out why i havent gotten into the left turn lane and wait for the merge. i just dont do it. ill wait for a break and make a legal turn or ill turn right and go a different way.
 
I'm a New Jersey driver. I'll merge from anything. Merging is the New Jersey State Sport.

If I'm in another state, where there are center turn lanes, regulations against merging, and a cop watching, I won't.
 
Originally posted by: alkemyst
Originally posted by: sdifox
Originally posted by: alkemyst
people here fly up a left turn lane to cut over all the time.
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That is just wrong and dangerous.
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Usually always done by huge ass SUV's and pickups.
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That is why I want a steam powered scoop. scoop then fire the pistons to flip.
 
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