i don't think thats how it works. For some it does, others, it doesn't

"OPPOsaurus WRX" (opposaurus)
10/03/2018 at 13:15 • Filed to: None

Update: as the comments have become a massive debate, I was suggested to look up the actual law.

!!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!!

while it doesn;t say merging / waiting is banned, it says left turn only, which I would assume bans all other maneuvers. the diagram also does not show any arrows entering the lane.

other states, such as California allows it.

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/hdbk/traffic_lanes

This morning (i’m light blue) while heading to work a car pulled out into the middle turn lane and stopped. I’ve seen a number of people use this lane as a merge lane / waiting lane to merge back into traffic. I thought those lanes were supposed to be used for turning into parking lots, not as a merge lane. when the red car pulled out, the car (dark blue) infront of me must have thought they were going to get cut off, and slammed on their brakes which made me go code brown. I think people like red car should be waiting in the parking lot for a gap in traffic, not pulling across half way and scaring the crap out of others.

DISCUSSION (76)

Nom De Plume > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/03/2018 at 12:16

Without remorse they absolutely floor it straight at you before coming to a dead stop in the turn lane. This is deplorable behavior.

For Sweden > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/03/2018 at 12:16

But red car is using the lane as intended.

Just Jeepin' > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/03/2018 at 12:16

I do it, but only when traffic patterns are such that waiting for both directions to clear simultaneously is going to take a particularly long time.

And there are definitely ways to make the move such that it doesn’t represent a clear and imminent danger to the blue car, but regardless it sounds like that car overreacted badly.

bwp240 > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/03/2018 at 12:18

In most cases you are allowed to pull out into the yellow area, then wait for an opportunity to merge into the flow of traffic. However, it isn’t suppose to be used as a “merge lane” (like an on ramp).

* Local laws may vary

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/03/2018 at 12:19

Red car is in the wrong. Period.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Just Jeepin'
10/03/2018 at 12:21

Quicker, safer option: Just turn right, then go to the next safe parking lot/stop light, turn left, turn around, then turn right out of it to go the direction you wanted.

Generally quicker and you don’t have to worry about someone potentially over-reacting to you pulling into a lane dedicated for people turning off the main road.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > For Sweden
10/03/2018 at 12:22

I hope you’re joking......

TysMagic > For Sweden
10/03/2018 at 12:22

^agreed.

HFV has no HFV. But somehow has 2 motorcycles > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/03/2018 at 12:24

They are not merge lanes at all. however I must admit that in busy traffic I have done this too . But it isn’t legal or good etiquette. Just like pulling into the far lane when making a left turn, people will always do it, even tho they shouldn’t .

Some one did this in front of me the other day exiting a kwi k trip . Except they were in a Class A RV and towing a full size sedan. I guess they forgot they were 80 feet long, because they sat there and blocked two lanes of traffic for a good 30 seconds waiting for the opposite two lanes to clear.

the worst part is there was a set of stop lights a block away, and they were headed in that direction . If they had left the gas station onto on to the parallel street they could have waited at the light instead of trying to pull out onto a 4 lane in an RV.

OPPOsaurus WRX > For Sweden
10/03/2018 at 12:24

Are they? i thought it was only for turning off the road, not onto it.

Just Jeepin' > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
10/03/2018 at 12:25

I definitely do more of that. I think I average one or two “use the middle lane as an entry lane” events per year, but I’ll frequently turn right when things are too busy.

Arrivederci > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/03/2018 at 12:26

You aren’t supposed to use it for that ; however, that doesn’t stop people.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Just Jeepin'
10/03/2018 at 12:28

I’ve used it as a buffer. Like: If I go now, I can make it across this side, then lolly-gag for 1/2 second and make it out in traffic.

Problem I have is people who pull into it, then stop or keep driving until an opening arises.

For Sweden > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
10/03/2018 at 12:29

Here’s one article on it . The relevant section is:

Yes, you can use the lane for left turns from side streets or parking lots, as long as you make a full stop and wait for traffic to clear before entering moving traffic. What’s not allowed, though, is moving forward in this lane, to either speed up or merge into traffic. That, according to Parton, is too dangerous: “It just creates a safety hazard where accidents can result.

Correct procedure for red car is:

Confirm near lane are clear of traffic

Turn left into center lane

Stop

Wait for right hand lanes to clear

Merge to right.

There’s no sense is having to wait for both sides to clear

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/03/2018 at 12:29

In CA, you are allowed (I believe) 300 feet in the center turn lane to merge into traffic. You don’t have many other options in busy areas. No Foul. The dark blue car wasn’t paying enough attention to their surroundings and over- reacted.

facw > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/03/2018 at 12:31

I will turn left into that lane if the traffic conditions make it so completing the turn into the travel lanes isn’t really possible. I wouldn’t drive down the lane though, turn into it and then hit a gap in the traffic when it opens. No more disruptive than someone going into that lane to make a left turn off the road. I have no idea if it is actually legal, but it’s super common.

Just Jeepin' > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
10/03/2018 at 12:31

I see people not using it at all which drives me crazy. I watched a school bus this very morning hit the brakes pretty hard , turn on their signal, and then 100' later finally move into the middle lane.

Maybe there was a car coming the other direction that made the driver nervous, but it sure looked like they just didn’t know what they were doing.

fintail > For Sweden
10/03/2018 at 12:31

In WA the middle lane can be a merge lane. There’s an intersection near where I work where traffic would never move if people didn’t use it.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/03/2018 at 12:33

I have to use the middle lane to get over from where I exit my office parking lot. That being said I get into the middle lane accelerate and merge into the fast lat around 60 mph.

Kinja'd!!!

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > For Sweden
10/03/2018 at 12:35

Honestly did not know that. Although I think it creates a dangerous situation regardless.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > Just Jeepin'
10/03/2018 at 12:36

I just assume most people have no idea what they’re doing, it makes my drives a lot less stressful.

smobgirl > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
10/03/2018 at 12:45

I specifically remember being told NOT to do that in driver’s ed. Maybe the guidance has changed?

There was a car using it as a passing lane on the way to work the other day, which was utterly terrifying. We were going ~48 in a 40, they must’ve been going 60+

Chariotoflove > For Sweden
10/03/2018 at 12:46

That article doesn’t read like it’s a codified maneuver. I don’t think it should be allowed. It commits two cardinal sins of traffic movement.

First, it blocks right of way to any oncoming cars arriving on scene and seeking to use the turn lane to turn left while a car like the red one above is stopped in the lane waiting for a chance to merge. An oncoming car has right of way to use the lane as it is intended (the arrow specifies this unambiguously) and is prevented.

Second, a maneuver like the red car is attempting creates uncertainty in cars already using the street. A person like Opposaurus has no idea if the red car is going to try to merge in front of him or stop and wait. He has to account for possible unpredictable behavior, which often disrupts flow of traffic behind him and creates potential danger.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > smobgirl
10/03/2018 at 12:47

In IL this was illegal. In CA it is allowed. So I’m sure it is on a state by state basis

Takuro Spirit > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/03/2018 at 12:49

They are right, you are wrong. Look up your local traffic laws, those lanes are for turning/merging.

For Sweden > Chariotoflove
10/03/2018 at 12:53

I checked another state, California . They explicitly allow the maneuver

Kinja'd!!!

But they also allow lane splitting. It’s anarchy out there.

404 - User No Longer Available > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/03/2018 at 12:57

So you mean a normal day in the GTA.

404 - User No Longer Available > For Sweden
10/03/2018 at 12:59

The centre lanes up here are solid inside but dotted outside , which means you cannot merge back out into traffic.

From day one I was told you are supposed to wait for a gap in the lane you are going into and NOT use the centre lane as a “staging” lane.

For Sweden > 404 - User No Longer Available
10/03/2018 at 13:01

The centre lanes up here are solid inside but dotted outside

madness

Urambo Tauro > Arrivederci
10/03/2018 at 13:02

“The hard part is explaining why it is not lega l,” he said. “Trust me, i f this is a difficult question for me then it will be difficult for the general public.”

The tricky part of all of this is that this is not specified in the Michigan Vehicle Code but is found in the Michigan Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MMUTCD) and applied to the Michigan Vehicle Code...

That’s a particularly difficult labyrinth to navigate in determining the legality of such a ma n eu ver. It should have been written better. But I suppose that even if you could fight a ticket for “improper lane use”, you’d be hard-pressed to prove that you were using it properly.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Takuro Spirit
10/03/2018 at 13:04

I AM RIGHT, YOU ARE WRONG MOTHER FUCKER YEAHHH !!!!!!! LOOK UP MY LOCAL TRAFFIC LAWS.

actually i’ll let you have the link

Kinja'd!!!

whiole it doesn;t say that using it as a merging lane is not allowed, it does say left turn only , which merging/w aiting is not a left turn.

So i’m gunna conclude with you are wrong.

OPPOsaurus WRX > For Sweden
10/03/2018 at 13:04

wrong

OPPOsaurus WRX > For Sweden
10/03/2018 at 13:04

source?

For Sweden > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/03/2018 at 13:06

i don’t know which comment you are replying to, but here is something from California

https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/pubs/hdbk/traffic_lanes

OPPOsaurus WRX > For Sweden
10/03/2018 at 13:07

i’m not in California

https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2018/03/22/chapter_4.pdf

For Sweden > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/03/2018 at 13:07

But you would die the moment you enter Highway 93

For Sweden > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/03/2018 at 13:07

But you would die the moment you enter Highway 93

For Sweden > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/03/2018 at 13:09

Neat

ttyymmnn > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/03/2018 at 13:10

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve done that. However, I usually pull out rather slowly if possible, so far lane traffic doesn’t think I’m going to dart in.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > For Sweden
10/03/2018 at 13:15

Pray for me, I drive Highway 93.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
10/03/2018 at 13:19

really? i dont have to assume they dont know what they are doing, I’m pretty damn sure they dont know what they are doing (or that they are not paying attention to what they are doing ) and it stressed me the F out.

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > For Sweden
10/03/2018 at 13:24

Thanks for digging that up. I knew it was less than 500 feet (thought it was 300).

Wurrwulf > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/03/2018 at 13:32

Were these 3 vehicles the only ones on the road? If so:

A) Red car should wait for both blue cars to pass

B) Both blue cars should get out of the left lane since they aren't passing anyone.

PartyPooper2012 > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/03/2018 at 13:33

I am not sure if what I am about to say has been said. I will post and read comments after, but the lane in which the red car is is called turn lane only.

It can certainly be used for turning left... or merging into traffic. Turn only lane means you can turn left or merge to lane to your right, but it is certainly not intended for driving.

Lets call your image north bound (your path) and south bound (opposite).

Say you are red car. If you waited in parking lot, you may wait all day to go left and northbound. This lane allows you to go through southbound lanes when safely possible and wait in turn only lane to safely merge into north bound lane.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/03/2018 at 13:35

Looked up our local law, seems like I’m okay in Montana.

Kinja'd!!!

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > For Sweden
10/03/2018 at 13:36

Th is is how it works in Montucky too.

For Sweden > Highlander-Datsuns are Forever
10/03/2018 at 13:37

Just Montucky, or in Eastern Montana as well?

The Dummy Gummy > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/03/2018 at 13:41

I think it’s far to say i f a driver is scared from someone doing this maneuver they shouldn’t be driving.

That being said - in many, not all, the suicide lane is allows for it to be used for merging, but with a caveat; y ou can’t use the lane to accelerate. You can use it to wait and merge in.

Not sure what state your in so I can’t speak to the law. I’d refer to whatever states guide book is.

Chuckles > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/03/2018 at 13:44

This seems to vary by region. Living in PA, I'm used to only using the center lane for left turns, never for merging. I moved to NC, and suddenly the center lane is full of people waiting to merge. It took me a while to not overreact to someone behaving like the red car in your diagram. When we'd get visitors from PA, they always thought that we were about to get in a crash.

TheRealBicycleBuck > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/03/2018 at 13:47

As others have said and you acknowledged, it depends on the state. Oklahoma and Louisiana do not allow right turns or merges from the center lane. We had an issue on a newly widened road near my house. People living in a particular subdivision were using the center turn lane as an acceleration/merge lane. The state police intervened by issuing a pile of tickets. The residents eventually caught on and stopped misbehaving.

Arrivederci > Urambo Tauro
10/03/2018 at 13:55

Yeah, and that’s just Michigan. I’m sure it’s worded differently everywhere else, but I’d imagine the intent of the lane is probably the same.

The Dummy Gummy > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
10/03/2018 at 13:58

how? No one is supposed to be traveling in that lane so there is no danger. I mean it is called the suicide lane for a reason but shouldn’t be any more dangerous than a person making a left from that lane.

Takuro Spirit > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/03/2018 at 14:06

lel

Takuro Spirit > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/03/2018 at 14:07

Doesn’t matter if its 1mph or 100mph, merging is merging

vindieselwinning.png

OpposResidentLexusGuy - USE20, XF20, XU30 and Press Cars > TysMagic
10/03/2018 at 14:08

Definitely a Tennessee thing.

Tristan > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/03/2018 at 14:10

I’ll stir this pot!

The red car IS turning left, is it not?! So technically he falls within the guidelines of “left turn only”. Sometimes it’s the only way you can make a left turn on a quazi-busy street.

Nom De Plume > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/03/2018 at 14:10

The acceptable use of this behavior, that which is legally structured, is on a divided highway or other structured roadway where traffic is unlikely to align with the need to cross one or both streams. Thus a wide margin was placed between them to allow, and this is very important, a right angle view while stationary.

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > For Sweden
10/03/2018 at 14:17

All of montucky, including W estern Montana and eastern North Dakota .

OPPOsaurus WRX > Wurrwulf
10/03/2018 at 14:19

No there were more cars than that. There are a lot of stores on t he right side so the right lane gets a lot of people slowing to turn or merging in. for this stretch of road, the left lane becomes more of thru lane and the right lane for turning.

Future next gen S2000 owner > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/03/2018 at 14:19

Your example only deals with when it is marked. What happens when it is unmarked. Your post isn’t clear if it was marked or unmarked.

OPPOsaurus WRX > The Dummy Gummy
10/03/2018 at 14:21

when i looke d it up, it says turning only. i guesss it still a little vague as you are turning to merge. the way the red car pulled out it certainly looked like he was going straight into the blue car.

OPPOsaurus WRX > Future next gen S2000 owner
10/03/2018 at 14:23

in the google earth photo it sho ws the markings on the pavement.

davesaddiction @ opposite-lock.com > For Sweden
10/03/2018 at 14:31

So, not legal, but allowed in certain cases...

feather-throttle-not-hair > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/03/2018 at 15:46

The one by my work has helpful arrows showing that this is indeed legal in the state of washington.

Toward the left side of the photo, the middle lane is a turn lane, on the right side, its a merge lane. Same lane however (3 lanes wide, hard to see in the photo, but trust me)

Kinja'd!!!

wafflesnfalafel > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/03/2018 at 15:56

I’m guilty, do that all the time... (seems like dark blue might be a little jumpy?)

OPPOsaurus WRX > feather-throttle-not-hair
10/03/2018 at 16:08

at least it shows that it is specifically for that. hats with the half circle across the street?

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > The Dummy Gummy
10/03/2018 at 16:11

Except the people trying to turn that are using that lane as it’s intended to be used?

Chariotoflove > For Sweden
10/03/2018 at 16:47

Interesting. I don’t know how many problems that causes out there. Here in Texas, the thought makes me shudder.

feather-throttle-not-hair > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/03/2018 at 17:08

Just a spot to turn around or park your car in an emergency. I don’t think its technically legal to leave your car there for a long period of time, plus there’s plenty of safe legal parking spots around here.

The Dummy Gummy > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
10/03/2018 at 18:13

There is clear visibility that someone is occupying the lane. What is the difference between this and someone turning left? If someone is entering to use it as a turn off, then you enter at a safe distance and wait your turn.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > The Dummy Gummy
10/04/2018 at 06:48

There in lies the issue, you’re expecting people to drive sensibly.

The Dummy Gummy > Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness
10/04/2018 at 08:50

Lol... with that logic, you shouldn’t drive anywhere ever.

StndIbnz, Drives a MSRT8 > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/04/2018 at 09:50

That’s who everyone uses it in MI, including myself. Sometimes it’s damn near impossible to get both sides clear enough to just pull straight out into traffic. So use it to wait for a clearing and merge over.

Long_Voyager, Now With More Caravanny Goodness > The Dummy Gummy
10/04/2018 at 10:04

I just assume no one actually knows what they’re doing and drive accordingly.

20+yrs of driving and it’s yet to fail me.

smobgirl > OPPOsaurus WRX
10/06/2018 at 23:12

I just saw this situation cause an accident today. The red car misjudged how big their vehicle was and tapped the dark blue car . Crunch. I was headed in the opposite direction in the left hand lane and she nearly over corrected into me as well.

OPPOsaurus WRX > smobgirl
10/07/2018 at 14:12

Ya I feel like it's a situation where u should just wait for the clear path