"450X_FTW" (mistermic)
08/20/2015 at 12:02 • Filed to: None
1
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"450X_FTW" (mistermic)
08/20/2015 at 12:02 • Filed to: None | 1
| 28 |
I need to turn left at the light up ahead, how soon can I get into the center lane and drive up to the light? Curious what others rule of thumb is
Rico
> 450X_FTW
08/20/2015 at 12:07 |
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For me I would do it as soon as possible. Waiting until the last minute creates traffic congestion for both people behind you wanting to keep going straight and people in that center lane needing to stop to let you in.
Ash78, voting early and often
> 450X_FTW
08/20/2015 at 12:07 |
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My rule is that as soon as the center lane is no longer a “suicide lane” (ie, there are no oncoming people able to make left turns), it’s all yours.
Santiago of Escuderia Boricua
> 450X_FTW
08/20/2015 at 12:08 |
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If traffic is backed up, I’ll go down the center lane to turn. I think it’s fine, just don’t do it at like 45
jariten1781
> 450X_FTW
08/20/2015 at 12:08 |
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If traffic is flowing just wait until you need to start slowing. If it’s stopped, wait until you’ve passed the last side road or until the oncoming left lane is clear enough you can make it to the light without potentially blocking someone wanting to use an entrance or side road.
nermal
> 450X_FTW
08/20/2015 at 12:09 |
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Provided that traffic is stopped, you’re good to go at the current position. However, do so slowly and cautiously, for there may be others attempting to move into that lane from either the same direction or opposing direction.
In other words, don’t be dumb and/or an a-hole about it.
Milky
> 450X_FTW
08/20/2015 at 12:09 |
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As soon as you have to stop. Just watch for blinkers and people switching lanes in front of you.
extraspecialbitter
> 450X_FTW
08/20/2015 at 12:15 |
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Where the solid yellow line ends.
X37.9XXS
> 450X_FTW
08/20/2015 at 12:15 |
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Wait until you get to the light, then immediately turn left
DO NOT use your turn signal, it is not necessary
Greetings from Boston
blacktruck18
> 450X_FTW
08/20/2015 at 12:17 |
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Your state probably has a law about how long you can travel in the turn lane. I personally wait and enter like normal. Only because if someone pulls into the turn lane in front of me and I hit them it could be their fault of it could be my fault depending on how the cop/insurance see it. I don’t want to take the risk.
vwbeamer
> 450X_FTW
08/20/2015 at 12:19 |
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law in my state, Georgis, is can not enter the turning lane further than 300ft from where you turn. So my answer would be 300ft from the turn. Which is a pretty long ways, the length of a football field.
HammerheadFistpunch
> 450X_FTW
08/20/2015 at 12:20 |
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I agree with the others that have said that as soon as the lane is clear go for it. I have one of these everyday on my commute home and that’s generally the policy.
WRXerFish - WRX-Wing pilot
> 450X_FTW
08/20/2015 at 12:21 |
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I will only enter the lane 2-4 car lengths early.
In MO it is a merging lane, not for driving.
RazoE
> 450X_FTW
08/20/2015 at 12:24 |
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You can only travel between 200-400 feet (depends on the state) before you have to turn. If you’re surpassing that, you’re breaking the law. Cut it out.
Smallbear wants a modern Syclone, local Maple Leafs spammer
> 450X_FTW
08/20/2015 at 12:35 |
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Depends how blocked up traffic is. If possible I avoid going in it at all.
Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
> 450X_FTW
08/20/2015 at 13:11 |
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As someone who’s gotten a ticket for moving over to the shoulder to get into the right turn lane 15 feet too soon, I’d wait until the line breaks and signals the actual turning lane.
Urambo Tauro
> 450X_FTW
08/20/2015 at 13:12 |
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Opdyke N sucks, especially at the end of the day. You might have better luck taking Pontiac W to Perry N.
I’ve been pulled over and ticketed for jumping into that lane too early. I was also given a stern reminder to wait until that yellow line ends, and the white line begins.
I know it’s tempting. A lot of people seem to get away with it. But a lot of people also get blocked by someone making a left into that Chase bank, too. A good “rule of thumb” for situations like this is to stay in the forward lane until there are no more driveways on your right-hand side for oncoming traffic to turn left into. That way, no one has to fight over the center turn lane.
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450X_FTW
> Stapleface-Now Hyphenated!
08/20/2015 at 13:14 |
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Yeah I fear the wallet jihad for doing something so simple as well
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450X_FTW
> Urambo Tauro
08/20/2015 at 13:16 |
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The fact that your’e able to tell that is N Opdyke is nothing short of amazing. I was taking it home because I missed my turn to Featherstone. (been cutting through Chrysler Tech center to avoid the M59-I75 shit show of a interchange)
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Urambo Tauro
> 450X_FTW
08/20/2015 at 13:18 |
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I used to work at that RV dealer. Most days I just gave up trying to turn left out of there. I haven’t been down that way in a while. How’s that “diverging diamond” coming along over on University?
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450X_FTW
> Urambo Tauro
08/20/2015 at 13:21 |
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I saw this morning they put up a few of the new bridge arches. They’re making progress that’s for sure. The 15 day Kid Rock concert or whatever it is happening at DTE doesn’t help the drive home on 75 N any that’s for sure.
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Urambo Tauro
> 450X_FTW
08/20/2015 at 13:31 |
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It’s called Pine Knob dammit! Pine Knob!
LOL I hate corporate renaming... “hurr durr it’s free advertising”
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450X_FTW
> Urambo Tauro
08/20/2015 at 13:38 |
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I agree it’s Pine Knob, didn’t want to say it and have someone not have any idea what I was talking about haha
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Rico
> Urambo Tauro
08/20/2015 at 13:50 |
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Okay looking at the picture that’s bad design to wait until the white line. What is the point of the rest of the lane? In NYC we avoid this by marking out the rest of the turning lane:
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Urambo Tauro
> Rico
08/20/2015 at 13:52 |
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That picture shows no conflict with oncoming traffic. That’s why there is absolutely no harm with entering the turn lane early. Different situation.
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Rico
> Urambo Tauro
08/20/2015 at 13:55 |
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I’m confused. In the OPs picture, is that center lane not the turning lane for turning left? If you have to wait until the solid yellow line ends in the OP’s pic why isn’t the rest of the lane blocked like in my picture that way cars know there is no possible reason for them to be there.
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Urambo Tauro
> Rico
08/20/2015 at 16:25 |
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In the Michigan picture, the center lane is a valid left-turn lane, for both northbound and southbound traffic. Jumping in it too early sometimes results in finding yourself face-to face with someone else waiting to turn left across your path. There are many driveways along this road, so someone coming from either direction may have a use for the center turn lane at any moment. Because of this unpredictability, no one should occupy it for more than the few dozen yards leading up to the turn point.
In the New York picture, the left-turn lane is only valid for (northbound?) traffic to make left turns. These left turns appear to be at intersections only; I don’t see open driveways. Further in the distance, you can see the situation is reversed; the road is marked for southbound traffic to use the lane to turn left at the same intersection. Based on the picture, I guess it probably continues to alternate like this for some distance.
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Rico
> Urambo Tauro
08/20/2015 at 17:12 |
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Oh shit I didn’t realize the center lane was for both sides! That sounds like a recipe for disaster!
JRapp: now as good as new again
> 450X_FTW
08/20/2015 at 19:37 |
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I’ve been pulled over twice in Oregon for clipping the yellow, going into the left turn lane. I wait until there’s no line now. And it’s not like I went a mile in the middle lane, just two of my wheels went over the yellow, the other two didn’t. Both times. I suppose he may have been looking for an excuse, but still.