How to make Left Turn

Discussion in 'Questions From New Drivers' started by Grandiego, Dec 24, 2007.

  1. munrkr

    munrkr Medium Load Member

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    Cmoore's right. closest lane to closest lane...legally, but not always practical. So there ya go. Just watch other trucks do it. More often than not, they'll grab the right lane if it's available. Just another case of the question being as important as the answer.
     
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  3. Grandiego

    Grandiego Medium Load Member

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    Good info. I appreciate all the comments. Another question... why are you more likely to hit a 4 wheeler if turning into the right lane? Seems more likely to me that you'd hit someone while you're turning into the left lane since in order to go into the left lane you enter the right lane first anyway.
     
  4. munrkr

    munrkr Medium Load Member

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    That's just it. It's not so much about the "likelyhood" of collision in this lane or that. It's the LIABILITY after the fact. When you borrow that right lane for a moment in order to be physically able to make the left turn, it is at YOUR own peril. That lane is supposed to be clear for those folks who want to turn right from the opposit direction. Get it? That's their lane, not yours. So it's there for you to use, but only as much as absolutely necessary to make your turn, before getting back into the closest lane (only to get back in the right lane again as soon as you can safely do so). So what's going on is drivers are simply merging the two tasks. Or "cutting corners" so to speak. Hope this helps.
     
  5. ziggystyles

    ziggystyles Road Train Member

    While turning into a left lane, you don't usually have to use another lane while making that turn...you just pull out far enough ahead and then crank the wheel. If you are going from a road that has two left turn lanes...you each stay in your own lane. But by you going into the right most turn lane, it gives you plenty of room to go out and make a wide turn.

    As far as turning right, you often will have to go into the left hand turn lane of oncoming traffic, sometimes even if you do a button hook. When this happens, your odds of hitting a cage are more because you have that oncoming left hand lane traffic to worry about, plus if you do a right hand turn and have to swng out, someone might try to sneak up on your right side, and you need that room too. Plus there is the off chance that if you are taking a right hand turn from a road that has two right hand turn lanes, someoen might not see you go out and turn right and they might schmuck into ya.
     
  6. Grandiego

    Grandiego Medium Load Member

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    I understand what you're saying. Thanks.
     
  7. Grandiego

    Grandiego Medium Load Member

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    I'm probably going to feel really stupid for asking...but what's a "cage?" Thanks.
     
  8. Opi

    Opi Light Load Member

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    a car :biggrin_2556:
     
  9. ziggystyles

    ziggystyles Road Train Member

    Lol no thats ok for asking...I picked up that word on a motorcycle forum I frequent. Basically we consider those who drive cars to be cagers, all caged up...surrounded by metal and such...not as open and free as on a motorcycle.
     
  10. MACK E-6

    MACK E-6 Moderator Staff Member

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    Well, this depends on the traffic signal. If you are turning left on a green arrow, you have the right of way and oncoming traffic attempting to turn right has to stop first because their light is red.

    But if you have just a regular green light, you can make your left turn into the right lane. You just have to yield to oncoming traffic first, and wait for anyone turning right to proceed.
     
  11. CMoore2004

    CMoore2004 Road Train Member

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    Yesterday, I found about 15 ways to NOT make a left turn. And a right turn. And about 25 ways not to back. I hope they sunk in so I don't forget. Still not sure why that sheriff behind me didn't pull me over after I got off the dead-end street (heavy traffic prohibited), and turned onto another heavy traffic prohibited.
     
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