Making turns from double turn lanes ?

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by dustin4841, Dec 11, 2012.

  1. dustin4841

    dustin4841 Light Load Member

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    OK so I just finished CDL school and have a question that never came up while driving at the school.
    If your coming up to a intersection to make a left hand turn and there are two left had turn lanes what is the proper way to execute the turn ?
    Now I am pretty sure you stay in the right most left turn lane correct ? But as far as executing the turn what is the right way to do it ?
    Any diagrams you guys might have would be very helpful as far ### seeing the right and wrong way

    Also same question for making a right hand turn from a double turn lane
     
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  3. Bayle

    Bayle Road Train Member

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    Use the outside turn lane. If turning right and there are 2 right turn lanes, use the left one. Oops, forgot about the second part. Maintain your lane as best you can. Usually there is enough room for the trailer to follow, on occasion it's narrow so just make it as wide as you can. If you need to switch lanes, do it after the turn.
     
    Last edited: Dec 11, 2012
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  4. dustin4841

    dustin4841 Light Load Member

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    But wont the trailer still offtrack into the other lane when making the turn ?
     
  5. Bayle

    Bayle Road Train Member

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    Make it as wide as you can just like any other turn. Most intersections that have these double lanes allow for that. If you try and use the inside most times you will clip the curb or a sign and or if you try to make it wide you will swing the tractor into the other lane cutting off those vehicles.
     
  6. Cat sdp

    Cat sdp . .

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    Orion's Belt
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    Yes it will off track, so just watch the inside as you turning. I always take the out side lane whenever there are 2 lanes turning. If you take the inside lane and come up short on the inside your screwed.

    But that's real world driving, not sure what the bureaucrats say!
     
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  7. interdude

    interdude Light Load Member

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    depends on the turn and truck length combo,

    take it slow and wide as possible using all available space,

    and watch your back, you can certainly end up offtrack in the other lane
     
  8. lil fred

    lil fred Bobtail Member

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    Left turn use outer lane and watch the trailer track in your lane. If its tight use up both lanes.

    Right turn, use up both lanes so no car can come on your right side. I will usually head for the right lane and then move to the left so at least my tractor is in the left lane but the trailer is still in the right. Cars will get the hint and nobody can squeeze around you on the right.
     
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  9. flc120

    flc120 Heavy Load Member

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    always use your outermost lane and try opening with what you can to make turn.
     
  10. leftlanetruckin

    leftlanetruckin Road Train Member

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    Wow, I know the testers in my state may have been a little stricter than most, but I would have failed for following some of this so called advise.
    If there are 2 right turn lanes, use the right lane so you can watch traffic from your left, which is a LOT easier than trying to watch traffic coming up on the right, while you are angled! If need be, do as lil fred says, and put the trailer in the right lane and the truck in the left lane.
    Left turns are always from the right turning lane, for the same reason as above. Easier to watch the site side vs the blind side when turned etc.
    Hauling oversize, I sometimes have to make it up as I go along, but follow the above procedures whenever possible.
    21yrs accident free, so maybe I am doing something right?

    Martin
     
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  11. rank

    rank Road Train Member

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    Use the right turn lane to make the LH turn and dont turn the steering wheel left until you see the whites of their eyes.:biggrin_2555:
     
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