How To Use The Center Left Turn Lane Correctly - Do's & Don'ts That Can Make You A Safer Driver!
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- Опубликовано: 15 дек 2022
- How To Use The Center Left Turn Lane Correctly - Do's & Don'ts That Can Make You A Safer Driver!
A lot of you have probably driven in a Center Left Turn Lane, which is also known as a Two-Way Left Turn Lane. And you may have noticed other people using them incorrectly. Not obeying the rules regarding Center Left Turn Lanes can endanger others and cause traffic accidents. In this video, we see what these lanes look like, where you'll find them, why they're put in place, and how to use them properly. And I even throw in some examples of how NOT to use them! Learning to use Two-Way Left Turn Lanes correctly will help you become a better and safer driver, and that is always my goal for you and me both. Thanks for watching, take care, and always drive safe!
#CenterLeftTurnLane #TwoWayLeftTurnLane #SafeDrivingTips
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While Stan Cravens strives to make the information provided in this video as accurate as possible, he makes no claims, promises, or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness or applicability of the content. No information contained in this video shall create any expressed or implied warranty or guarantee of any particular result. All do-it-yourself projects entail some risk and it is the sole responsibility of the viewer to assume this risk. Stan Cravens is not responsible or liable for any loss damage (including, but not limited to, actual, consequential, or punitive), liability, claim, or any other injury or cause related to or resulting from any information posted in this video. 
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Due to differences in State laws, I removed a part of the original video to make it more applicable to everyone who might watch it.
Is that a part about whether you are allowed to use 2-way turning lanes, to end left turns from a driveway back onto the road?
This was very helpful! Thank you
Thankyou sweetheart
Am really glad that we don't have those center lanes here in NJ, but instead we have those dedicated left turn lanes. Center lanes has a long history of accidents, and contrary to what this video says in 1:08, it does not improve safety, it actually create hazards. I know because I have seen a lot of compilation videos of accidents because of those lanes, and for a reason, they call it "suicide lane".
I passed my road test today thanks to your videos 🎉
Thank You sm I’m taking my permit soon and I saw this is the book for the stuff I need to know and the description was so weirdly worded so I really appreciate it!
Can you make a seperate video please just for multiple scenarios of using the center left turn lane to merge into traffic from a parking lot exiting or entering!
Awesome content as always real value 👍thank you for the information
Your explanations are very clear . Thank you Sir!
Thank you so much! I drive in USA the first time and we don't center left lanes in my country (Europe).
You’re welcome 😊 I hope it was of some use to you!
This was so helpful especially knowing I’m going to be get a drivers license soon I need to know this things.
Thank you Sir, your videos are very helpful. I appreciate the efforts that you have put.
You are most welcome, and I appreciate you for taking the time to watch the videos I make. I do hope they help in some way.
Very nice guidline, good job sir 👍
Thank you for making this video. It cleared up doubts that I had about the usage of the lane.
I always see people drive on the center lane several blocks before it becomes a dedicated left turn lane, and I think people come to expect others to do so because today when I didn't slow down to go into the turning lane until it actually started, someone (who had for a few hundred feet up to this point been cutting people off to get in front of them and had begun to tailgate me) honked his horn and accelerated rapidly into the intersection after I entered the turning lane. It was then that I had my doubts as to whether I was driving properly, but your video reassured me that I was driving properly.
Some people definitely don’t understand how the center turn lane is supposed to be used, just like this guy. You were doing the right thing, and it sounds like he wasn’t driving safely, and was in too much of a hurry. People like that cause accidents, and I hope he got to where he was going without hurting himself or anyone else.
Love these videos. They’re so helpful. I was actually wondering about center lanes
I hope you had the majority of this info already in your “common sense bank” because if not, I hope I never encounter you on the road!
Exactly
Work for me so I can pass my driver’s exam
That's a really helpful video! Thanks Stan!
You’re welcome, and I’m glad to hear it helped you…that’s always my hope!
Im a new driver in Canada and just today I had to enter a business using center left lane but got confused and had to take a U turn from the intersection. This video cleared my confusion.
Glad to hear it helped, and thanks a lot for watching!
Thank you so much. The way you explain things is so easy to understand. Amazing channel :)
Thank you, I try my best to put out videos that help people. Thanks for watching!
You're so helpful. I have to subscribe. Thank you. This was very clear
You’re welcome, and thank you for taking the time to watch the video!
Very good Explanation. Thank you.
You are welcome! Hope it helped.
Teaching my daughter and really like your videos. One of the tough things to learn is coming out of the driveway, making a left into the center turn lane, then lane changing to the right to complete the left turn. Maybe you have a video on this, I'll look, but could a video covering this.
Check your local laws. In Texas at least (and I assume in most places) the center turn lane is ONLY for turning left from the road. You can NOT use it to merge onto the road. This creates an incredibly dangerous situation where the merging car is looking behind them while potentially driving towards an oncoming car in the center lane. You must clear the center lane.
Referring to 4:34 - this is incorrect, dangerous, and illegal.
@@stripeybeast Then how do u merge to the lane? I can see only 2 options here, either u do it directly when u are turning or turn via center lane?
I need to know this as I'm making a Driving teaching game.
Here where I live in Arkansas ppl do it all the time, there will be situations where two cars face each other one is merging into traffic going right while the other is tryna turn left like their supposed to and if they go at the same time they’ll colide🙄
Thank you. Very clear explanation. Clarified a question I had.
Glad to hear it helped!
it really clear my doubt, Thank you Stan!
You’re very welcome! Thanks a lot for watching.
Very useful driving lesson and thank you very much
You’re very welcome, and thank you for watching!
Very useful thanks so much
this was pretty helpful
I'm glad that l saw your channel..thus gave me a new view because I'm dealing with this.
Thanks for watching, and I hope the video was of some help to you. And don’t worry…keep practicing, and I bet you’ll get good at this!
Awesome!
so helpful
Are you from Effingham, IL too thats nice
Thank you for the video. I am studying for my knowledge test in about two weeks and this video made the topic much easier!
Best of luck to you on your knowledge test when you take it! I’m sure you’ll do great!
Good luck. It's stick to legal documents though. The info on this video isn't completely correct!
I forgot to answer. I passed first try!! Thank you vey much. This video worked for me in Montreal, Canada, I guess it could work with everyone oround. Again, than you very much!@@HowSkills
Thank you, I forgot to come back to this comment. I passed first try. Of course, some laws are different depending on the citi, province and of course the country. But the tips are very general and useful for anyone taking the test. Extra knowledge is never bad@@lydiayoder1065
Thank you for the helpful video! I have a question :)
When I’m turning left from side road to main with a center turning lane , if there no incoming traffic for me to yield to I can simply drive across the center lane to nearest driving lane going to the left, right ?
But if I’m driving on the main road where is center turning lane, and I want to make a left turn but there is no oncoming traffic, do I still need to go into center Turing lane before I turn ? Or I can simply turn from my driving lane to the left ?
Thank you
Thanks !
Thank you
You should NEVER use the center lane to merge into traffic. Not only is it illegal in a lot of places but it is dangerous and it blocks the center lane for people trying to use it to turn. I hate when people enter the turn lane to merge right next to me because you cannot tell if this person is pulling into the turn lane or about to slam into the side of you.
That's what a right turn signals are for. Some roads are so busy that the best you can do is move into the center, making a left because you can clear 2 left lanes, never 4 lanes ( 2 left , 2 right from you pulling out ). Hwy 536
@@larryh657 Funny how nearly every time people do this next to me they never use their turning signal. You should never have to cross 4 lanes because you should never turn into the outside lane anyways. The same kind of people that use the center lane to merge are the people that don't signal.
@carsonw2346 I wish people would drive better. A 4 lane with a center turn is 5 lanes, so we are bouth right. That hwy is through a small city.
Thanks 👍
You’re welcome, and I hope it helped!
Thank you Sir for your amazing videos, but I am not quite sure if you noticed that you were not wearing your seatbelt while driving at 2:15. I might over looked it, but I like to point out that to you. Thanks again.
I will check that out. I’m a real stickler about seatbelts.
Nice. How about that scenario if vehicles from both sides enter into the lane and their left turn is after other vehicle? who has to leave the lane to make way for opposite vehicle? Thanks
In that case, someone (or even both) will need to be the polite one and take the initiative and get back into the regular lane, and then pull back over to make their left or make a u-turn to get to their turn.
In New Zealand its called Flush Median
I had never heard of that before…interesting!
Thanks 🙏 🙁 😆
Is there a minimum distance using the left turn lane before turning left onto a street?
1:08 "These lanes are designed
to improve the flow and safety of the traffic". Is actually the opposite. These lanes are dubbed "suicide lane" for a reason. Am really glad we don't have those lanes where I live in New Jersey.
If they’re not used right, and if drivers in the surrounding lanes aren’t paying attention(very common), then they can be a problem. When all goes well, they’re nice to have.
Very helpful video as far as visuals, but at the end there. It is NOT legal to use the center left turn lane to pull into from a business or side street, then merge into regular traffic. At least not in my sate, MO, but I thought it was pretty standard for that law: I worked Fire/Rescue as a career, and have seem many center lane accidents from people using it as a merge into traffic lane, and I’ve seen plenty of cops issue tickets for it also.
It is also just common sense to not do it.
@@Alobster1...You would think...lol, bit I've seen other threads where the subject comes up, and dozens of people will go back n forth on it for weeks.
How about parking in this lane for pick up or drop off delivery? I often see trucks and cars standing their with their emergency flashers, thus today I got ticket claiming the 18 inch curb rule violated cvc 22502A. I think it’s wrong, could you advise if I should fight the ticket or I am wrong?
Thanks
You're very welcome!
This truly helps me a lot since I just moved here in the US couple of months ago. Thank you sir for all the videos you are making and sharing. More power to you!
I just have one question regarding center left turning lane, IS IT PERMISSIBLE TO PULL RIGHT IN TO THE CENTER LANE TO MAKE A UTURN?
It is allowable to make a U-Turn from the center left turn lane unless it's specifically posted that no U-Turns are allowed.
Thanks im trying to get my drivers license 🙂
I took my drivers test and they automatically failed me bc I drove more than 200 feet in this lane
Thanks for the video. But (and this may be a silly question), what about the instance when two drivers, coming from the opposite direction, simultaneously want to use the centre left turn lane at the exact same time, signal at the exact same time, and turn into the lane at the exact same point? Is there ever a chance of that disaster happening?
Update: OK, 4:11 into your video (where you say, "just make sure you have your turn signal on well ahead of time o let other drivers around you know your intentions") answered my question. Still, as I learned to assume all drivers are idiots (i.e., drive defensively), I can only hope that the driver in the opposite direction does the same advanced signalling.
Thank you!
And thank you very much for watching! I wish everyone was a good defensive driver and always used their signals to let others know what they planned to do...there would be way fewer accidents.
Do you know specific laws for Michigan? Does it mater if the yellow line in continuous or not?
Can you do a video on using the break pedal to slow down to turn and how to se the gas and brake pedal smoothly and steady
*use
That is a good idea! If you don’t mind, I’ll put that on my list for videos to do in the future.
If you’re using the center lane to turn left into the parking lot of a business and there is already a car in the driveway of that parking lot waiting to turn exit left, would they have the right of way or would I be free to turn into the business entrance and they would have to yield to me ?
Thanks for the video! Just to clarify, can this central lane also be used for a U-turn? Please describe this maneuver too.
They can also be used for making u-turns if not expressly prohibited in your state or country. You would pull into the center turn lane, and if there is no oncoming traffic for you to yield to, you would make your u-turn into one of the lanes on your left. Otherwise, of course if there is oncoming traffic, stop and wait for a gap in traffic and then do a 180 degree turn. Some center left turn lanes are marked “Left turn only”, so you might be ticketed if you made a u-turn there. Always best to check local traffic laws or rules of the road for where you live just to be safe.
@@HowSkills Thanks Stan! And what about U-turn on an intersection? Is it legal to do from the left turn lane? Mostly interested in TX rules if you’re familiar with them.
You missed the A-hole that comes to a complete stop then moves into center turn lane. There are no other cars in 6 turn lane that could cause a reasonable driver to stop to squeeze into the center turn lane. In Washington state, mostly done by 70 + old drivers, they didn't have that on the drivers test in 1945 to 1970
In Washington State, my understanding is that this lane is to be used ONLY for leaving the flow of traffic, not for entering it. That is, only for making a left hand turn leaving the road, not making a right hand turn into traffic. I saw a car in this video using this lane to make a right hand turn into traffic. In Cheney, WA, this is a REAL problem as people zoom out (turning left) from a stop sign into the center turn lane and then drive until there's an opening in traffic. This just about gives me a heart attack every time because it seems as though they're going to T-bone me. What is the correct use of this lane?
It’s really just for leaving the flow of traffic, and not for using as a merging lane. There are some states that don’t prohibit using it to merge, but the majority do. It has the tendency to startle other drivers just like you described, as you have no idea what they’re planning on doing, of if they see you coming.
Responsible driving is beautiful
I have a question can I legally use the center lane before designated left turn and then get to designated left turn lane ?
Could a U-turn be made using the center lane only?
4:50 I was in the center turn lane, driving forward to turn left up ahead about 100 meters. There was standstill traffic in the lanes beside me. A car pulled out from a plaza on my right and T-boned me. When I saw the car, I quickly honked my horn but he kept moving forward and hit me. Am I at fault at all? I'm about to go to the collision reporting center (ontario).
So what should we do if i am in middle lane and there is a emergency vehicle coming behind me?
I have a question if I have an emergency stop is center lane same as non adjacent lane to slow down and stop ?
If you have to make an emergency stop because you're having vehicle problems, it's better to get off on the side of the road, if possible, instead of stopping in the center lane and blocking other vehicles from using it. If it's not possible for you to get to the side of the road, or there isn't enough room to get your vehicle off all the way, then getting in the center lane is the next best thing.
Can we go inside centre lane if we have solid yellow lines on our side ? I see lot of cars going inside it even though solid yellow lines are present in their side.
It is most common that there ARE solid yellow lines on the side of both directions, with a dashed yellow line on the inside. If the lines are symmetric on both sides, then both directions of vehicles are allowed to use it for its intended purpose.
What you would not be allowed to do, is cross two sets of double yellows, which is supposed to be treated as a virtual median. Or if you have double yellows on your side, and there is solid white on the opposite side. That means the left turn lane is dedicated to oncoming traffic only.
I've my test failed two times due to center lane related infractions.
Why is the outer yellow line of a center turn lane always solid?
I’ve never used this yet the two way turns
They’re a little different, and I’m sure you’ll get the chance someday to use them.
Please can you do a video for me? I just failed my Ohio road test. The comment the examiner gave is. “ failed to use the Center Lane to turn left to right lane” I'm confused. Thank you
Hmmmm…did you make a left turn across the Center Left Turn lane from the main road you were on? If there is a Center lane, you would need to get into that Center Left Turn lane first before turning left.
Can i make a U turn in this lane?
I have had a driver pass me in the center turn lane when I was making my right turn one time
At 4:19 what if there is a car in the parking lot across the street from you that is also trying to make a left turn using the center lane? What are you supposed to do?
Everything else being equal(both of you have a gap in traffic and can safely turn into the center lane), whoever arrived first should be the first to go. If you arrived at the same time, then either of you could go, which presents a problem since you both might start moving to the center lane at the same time. In that case, where you have both started moving at the same time, you should steer at more of a tighter angle to the left so that you enter the center lane later than what you normally would. This would give the other vehicle turning to their left more room to enter the center lane and help avoid an accident. Also, if you can get the other driver’s attention, just wave them on to go ahead and make their turn. That’s simpler and makes a confusing situation safer.
3:39 the car coming from the opposite direction has his front tires turned towards the left
I literally passed my drivers test and was heading to dmw and there was this god damn lane, I accidentally missed that lane and failed right at the end when I had to park at dmw
Sorry to hear about your test, but I bet you will easily pass the next time!
I have a question that bothers me, if your trying to move into center turn lane and a car is already in it blocking you from entering it, what should you do in that situation
You can queue behind existing cars in the center left turning lane, and wait your turn for clear traffic. If that is not possible, a better solution is to merge right when legal to do so, and use a side-street to make a U-turn.
How can I get to you I need a INTROTOR
Interesting 'coincidence'. JUST BEFORE I sat down at my computer and saw this, I was thinking about a 'left turn' incident that happened to me about six-&-a-half years ago. I was in an unknown part of a town, about 50 miles from home, because my dad was in the hospital, and, I was the only family (worth a dime) that he had. [to make matters worse, the maps on my G.P.S. were years-out-of-date; and, the roads HAD INDEED been ALTERED in the meantime] Because of the way that things were drawn-out on the road, I THOUGHT that I was in the left-turn lane. So, I was just sitting there, waiting for oncoming traffic to clear, when the ONE GUY behind me in the lane LAID-DOWN-ON his horn. [as if my nerves weren't jangling enough already] It made me jump in my seat, made me ANGRY, made me wonder WHAT in the HECK his PROBLEM was, and (later) made me a little GLAD that I had left my 9-mm at home. [I DO have a concealed-carry permit] After about 4 or 5 uses of that intersection (with no further incidents), I FINALLY FIGURED-OUT that the REAL "left turn lane" was this RIDICULOUSLY SMALL 'BOX' in among a GRID of lines. Absolutely absurd. I mean, I've seen some POORLY LABELED roads and lanes; but, this was just PATHETIC.....
Sounds like someone at the highway department didn't think those road markings through when they put them in the design plans! You think some of those people never actually drive on the roads they design? If they did, they'd see how confusing things like that can be.
can I use the center left turn lane to make a U turn in US?
Yes, you can, unless there’s a “No U-turn” sign posted.
What do I do if I have someone pass me in the center turn lane?
Take your foot off the accelerator (or move it to the dead position in a 1-foot drive vehicle) to slow down slowly, and let them pass you and return to your lane. Let that vehicle go on ahead, and avoid getting involved with them again if you can help it.
Using the center turn lane for passing also increases the risk of accidents
My ? Is can you make a U turn from this lane
If it isn't specified otherwise on a sign, and if you have enough space to do so without backing up, then yes. You'll usually have to wait for wider window of clear traffic to do so.
GREAT COMPREHENSIVE EXPLANATIONS!
Thanks for watching, and I hope it helped!
Somebody had blow horn and have middle finger on me because I was turning into the center lane while I pulled out. And how would I know he’s turning on my exist because he didn’t even have turning signal on.
I don’t think you can use the center lane to get you into traffic. My POST Certification disagrees. That is a good way to cause an accident.
Why can't I use the center turn lane to pass other vehicles?
That could prevent other vehicles from entering or leaving the turn lane when they needed to, and would probably require you to travel in it for more than 200 feet, which is the common standard for how far you should travel in that lane. It is considered a dedicated lane specifically for one purpose and not a regular traffic lane.
The whole idea is to use it at SLOW speeds only, so you don't have a head-on collision. It is meant to be a queue to slow down and wait for your opportunity to turn left.
You cannot use center lane to pull out and wait for opening in traffic and merge. Cops will give you a ticket… i know this first hand
Failed my drive test because of this
That does depend on the state you live in, as it is legal in some states. But, even if it is legal, drivers shouldn't drive more than 100 feet or so in that lane before moving over into the lane they need to be in.
DO NOT USE THE TURNING LANE TO ENTER TRAFFIC!!!
There are some states where it's legal and others where it's not, but even where it is legal, it's best to not drive more than 100 feet in the center lane before entering your intended lane. In states where it's legal, it's also okay to pull into the center lane and then stop and wait for a gap in traffic for you to pull into.
I hate driving if i win the lottery im hiring a profesional chauffer
Wouldn't that be nice!
You are NEVER supposed to use the center LEFT turn lane to EVER turn RIGHT or stop to merge into traffic! This is a LEFT only lane.
Not true in every state or jurisdiction. In Illinois, drivers are allowed to use the center left turn lane when making a left turn from the roadway or onto the roadway. Onto the roadway would be an instance where you’re at a side street and you turn into the center left turn lane before moving onto the roadway. Drivers aren’t allowed to drive more than 200 feet in this lane whatever their intentions. At times around where I usually drive, vehicles trying to turn left across two lanes of traffic going right and merge into two lanes of traffic going left could be sitting and waiting for a very long time for that kind of gap to line up for them to make a safe left turn. Being able to use the center lane to at least pull out and stop in before moving into the next lane going left, is safe and keeps traffic moving while also prevents accidents by drivers trying to hurriedly dart out to try to synchronize their left turn into small gaps in opposing lines of moving traffic. But if it is specifically prohibited by state or local law (which I believe it is in Michigan, for one), I definitely wouldn’t do it myself or encourage others to do it. And never do what you feel personally is unsafe.
@@HowSkills I don't think it should be done period whether it is legal or not. It adds to much ambiguity and it is hard to predict whether people are turning into the center lane next to you or about to slam into the side of you. I have seen near accidents from peoples reaction to center lane mergers.
@@Alobster1Another way instead of merging off center lane to complete left turn off a parking lot or side street to a busy road is to make a right turn on to the road and make a left into another side street or parking lot and make a right turn back on to the road.
If u don't already know this please never drive again
brother… that’s why we’re all here, to learn how to drive safely
This was so helpful especially knowing I’m going to be get a drivers license soon I need to know this things.