Just Curious...

[RoGuE]

I want to get other peoples opinion on something that has bugged me for years. Say you are in a single right turn lane that turns on to a double lane street. Why does EVERYONE always go straight into the left lane coming right out of the turn? Or if you are in a single left turn lane, I see people go right into the right hand lane. This bugs me so much. I always stick to the closest lane and signal and then move over to the other lane.

Can you get pulled over for going into the other lane like that? I've almost been hit so many times when I'm making a left and stick to the left lane but people making a right just barrel over into my lane. Just wondering what everyone's thought is on this, or maybe people do it like I do and my area is just full of [censored] drivers.

 

[Patman]

I think most people do it simply because it's easier, as then you're not making such a tight turn, so you can make the turn faster. It is definitely illegal, but most cops probably don't bother enforcing that rule, kinda like the rolling stop (which I've seen many people do right in front of a cop and they don't get stopped for it)

 

[PF52]

If I recall correctly, the law here in Illinois stipulates that if you're turning right, you must turn into the righthand lane, but if you're turning left, you can choose to turn into either lane. Someone will correct me if I have it backwards.

 

[bdcardinal]

I will turn into the right lane and then signal to move over. My friends make fun of me because they think I use the signal too much.

 

[tinmanSC]

In illinois, if you are driving down I-290 East to Chicago and you get off at Harlem Road, and take a left, you will notice something very odd. When turning left, you are turning onto a 2-lane road which is very busy. The right hand lane of the opposite directions on I-290 turns into the right hand lane of the same road. And this all happens FAST and at the same time. Cars turning everywhere!

 

[CATERHAM]

You're right, when making a right turn there is absolutely no excuse for turning into the left most lane. In my jurisdiction I can't say I've noticed it going on that much. I'm sure if a cop saw someone do it here with lots of traffic there's fair risk of being pulled over.

But if EVERYONE does it in Georgia that's because the police allow it. Assuming it's in the Georgia Highway Traffic Act that you must turn into the right most lane, all it would take is a blitz on the part of the Police staked out at a few notorious intersections; ticketing offenders, to correct the behaviour.

 

[oldmaninsc]

This assumes I'm reading it correctly, in Ca. it appears to depend. On a two lane road turning left unto another two lane road you can turn into either lane.
"1. Left turn from a two-way street. Start the turn in the left lane closest to the middle of the street. Complete the turn, if safe, in either lane of the cross street (shown by arrows). Use the center left turn lane if one is available."

For a right hand turn, you are suppose to go into the right lane.
"2. Right turn. Begin and end the turn in the lane nearest the righthand curb."


UNLESS you are turning onto a one way street - in which case you can use any one of the lanes.

"4. Left turn from a one-way street into a two-way street. Start the turn from the far left lane. Turn into either of the lanes that are safely open, as shown by the arrows.

5. Left turn from a one-way street into a one-way street. Start the turn from the far left lane. Watch for pedestrians, motorcyclists, and bicyclists between your vehicle and the curb because they can legally use the left turn lane for their left turns. Turn into any lane that is safely open, as shown by the arrows.

6. Right turn from a one-way street into a one-way street. Start the turn in the far right lane. If safe, you may end the turn in any lane. Sometimes, signs or pavement markings will let you turn right from another lane, as shown by the graphic 6."


http://dmv.ca.gov/pubs/hdbk/turns.htm#turns

 

[barlowc]

Originally Posted By: RoGuE
I've almost been hit so many times when I'm making a left and stick to the left lane but people making a right just barrel over into my lane.

In such a case, isn't the person making a left supposed to yield to the person making the right? You can't have two cars turning at the same time just because there are two lanes in the final path.

 

[morris]

in wichita ks. last dec i did what you said. cost me $91.00

 

[bigmike]

When turning right, I usually go into the left lane. I do this to avoid running my back tire over the curb. Some of our streets give you no choice.

 

[RoGuE]

Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
You're right, when making a right turn there is absolutely no excuse for turning into the left most lane. In my jurisdiction I can't say I've noticed it going on that much. I'm sure if a cop saw someone do it here with lots of traffic there's fair risk of being pulled over.

But if EVERYONE does it in Georgia that's because the police allow it. Assuming it's in the Georgia Highway Traffic Act that you must turn into the right most lane, all it would take is a blitz on the part of the Police staked out at a few notorious intersections; ticketing offenders, to correct the behaviour.


You must be right, if I had to approximate a number, I'd say 80-90% of drivers here do it. I just don't get it...


Originally Posted By: barlowc
Originally Posted By: RoGuE
I've almost been hit so many times when I'm making a left and stick to the left lane but people making a right just barrel over into my lane.

In such a case, isn't the person making a left supposed to yield to the person making the right? You can't have two cars turning at the same time just because there are two lanes in the final path.


For example I might have a left green arrow coming from a single lane turn lane. Then someone will turn right across the intersection, which should be fine if they stayed to the right, and I stay to the left.

Originally Posted By: morris
in wichita ks. last dec i did what you said. cost me $91.00


Maybe your curbs have sharper corners? I've never run over a curb making a turn at an intersection.

Originally Posted By: bigmike
When turning right, I usually go into the left lane. I do this to avoid running my back tire over the curb. Some of our streets give you no choice.


Same as above

 

[yaris0128]

It is something that annoys me as well. If people would obey this law then when people are turning left then maybe some of us can actually use those free rights. Id rather obey they law and save the money on the ticket. I've been nearly hit a lot of times as well because of this.

 

[cbear]

Ohio law requires the driver to turn in to the lane closest to them. Right lane when turning right, left lane when turning left. Most people don't however. That reminds me, I need to fix my horn.

 

[Merkava_4]

As long as we're on the subject, is it mandatory to turn right on a red if somebody's behind you?

Many times I wish I could just stay there and wait for the green, but I don't want to make people angry or get ran over.

 

[CATERHAM]

Why wait for a green when making a right turn if there is no on coming traffic?
That's one thing that annoys me no end; nervious nellies that are incapable of judging even hugh gaps in traffic in which to merge.

 

[SteveSRT8]

Just another example of the lowest common denominator. The stupidest driver makes us ALL wait!

 

[TMoto]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
As long as we're on the subject, is it mandatory to turn right on a red if somebody's behind you?

Many times I wish I could just stay there and wait for the green, but I don't want to make people angry or get ran over.

I think each state determines it's own rules for turning right at red lights. Or at least it used to be. I doubt any state would force you to turn right on red after making a complete stop. Although it may annoy some drivers, I believe you may wait until the light is green if you prefer.

As far as which lane to choose, I learned to drive in CA and you are to choose the right lane when making a right turn. When making a left turn, you may choose any lane as long as it's not a double turn.

Of course, when making a left turn you must yield to oncoming traffic, which includes those making a right from the opposite direction. To confuse the issue in CO, we have quite a few right turn lanes that have a small island on your left just as you turn. Most, if not all of them have a yield sign, directing you to yield to those making left hand turns from the opposite direction.

 

[Merkava_4]

Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
Why wait for a green when making a right turn if there is no on coming traffic?


Because very rarely am I ever in a hurry. It's not cool to be in a hurry.

 

[Garak]

Originally Posted By: Merkava_4
Originally Posted By: CATERHAM
Why wait for a green when making a right turn if there is no on coming traffic?


Because very rarely am I ever in a hurry. It's not cool to be in a hurry.

I agree with both of you. I see no reason to wait, but being in a rush doesn't help either. A friend of mine gets ridiculously agitated when he's driving. He's always in a rush to get nowhere, and it's not long before he's waving the finger and swearing. I told him that for his birthday, I'm going to get him a set of oven mitts and duct tape for when he drives.

Originally Posted By: TMoto
I think each state determines it's own rules for turning right at red lights. Or at least it used to be. I doubt any state would force you to turn right on red after making a complete stop. Although it may annoy some drivers, I believe you may wait until the light is green if you prefer.


Here, you could be ticketed for that. If one is allowed to go straight in the far right lane, no problem. However, if it's a turning lane only, you can turn right on red (unless forbidden by a sign), and you are not permitted to impede traffic. Heck, we have people here who won't even turn when there's a merge lane reserved specifically for that purpose.