We're going to look at a type of driving lane that many of you have probably used before, and
that's the center left turn lane, also known as a two-way left turn lane. let's check out
the right and wrong ways to use them. First of all, we're not talking about dedicated left turn lanes
like this. These are also used for making left turns, but they're only used by traffic going in
one direction. On the other hand, center left turn lanes will be located between lanes of
traffic that are going in opposite directions, and vehicles coming from both directions can use this
lane to make left turns. The start of a center left turn lane is sometimes marked with signs, but
these lanes will always be marked in some way on the road itself with stripes lines or words to
indicate where they start and end. there's one that starts just after this intersection and
the beginning of it is marked by yellow lines and stripes. The center left turn lane itself will be
marked by solid yellow lines on the outside and broken yellow lines next to them on the inside.
There will also be turn arrows pointing in both directions indicating the lane is for making left
turns for vehicles coming from from both ways. And depending on the road you're on, center left
turn lanes can go on for quite a while. So that's where you'll find them and what they look like, but
why are they used These lanes are designed to improve the flow and safety of traffic. Here's
a four-lane road with two lanes going in each direction without a center left turn lane. When
a vehicle needs to turn left and has to stop and wait for a gap in the oncoming traffic, everyone
behind him has to either slow down, stop, or change lanes and go around them. This slows down the flow
of traffic and increases the risk of accidents. Where two-way left turn lanes can be used, when
someone needs to turn left, they can pull into the center lane and other traffic can continue on
unimpeded. They're especially useful on roads like this where there are several entry and exit points
to different businesses right in a row, allowing traffic to keep moving while other drivers make
their left turns. Here's how to properly use the center left turn lane. I'm wanting to turn left
up ahead at the sign, so I've moved into the left lane of traffic as I approach. When I get within
about 200 feet, or three to four seconds, away from where I need to turn, I'm going to move over into
the center lane. It's not important that you get that distance exactly right, but for reference, 200
feet is two-thirds the length of a football field, or about 13 average size vehicles put
end to end. Before I make any lane change, I put on my left turn signal, take a quick look over
my left shoulder, and then move into the center lane, driving in it until I get to where I need
to turn. There's no oncoming traffic to yield to so I complete my turn into the business entrance.
once you move into the two-way left turn lane, you will sometimes need to stop and wait for
a gap in oncoming traffic, or for pedestrians to go by before you can safely make your left
turn. Pedestrians and oncoming traffic always have the right-of-way. I apologize to whoever's driving
this vehicle but I'm going to use them as a bad example. If you pull into the center left turn lane
and have to stop, make sure your vehicle is fully within the yellow line boundaries of the lane and
not sticking out into another lane. Also make sure you stop with your wheels pointed straight ahead
and not turn turned. That way, just in case you would get hit from behind by another vehicle,
you would be pushed forward in the center lane instead of possibly being pushed into oncoming
traffic. There can be more than one vehicle at a time in the center lane. There are three in a
row here, taking their turn waiting for a break in traffic, so they can each turn in at the same place.
And notice that all three of them are stopped with their front tires pointed straight ahead...
good job! So if you're trying to make a left turn and there's already someone in the center lane,
go ahead and get in the lane behind them. Once they turn, move up and then make your turn when
it's safe to do so. Sometimes you may also share the center lane with a vehicle coming from the
opposite direction. I entered the center lane and the other vehicle entered in about the same time,
so we need to take turns. My exit point is a short distance behind them, so I'll have to wait for them
to turn and then move up so I can make my left turn. While moving into the center lane 200 feet
before your turn is ideal, sometimes you won't have that much distance to work with. In this case, on
a road where there are multiple exit points that drivers are trying to turn into, wh ereI need to
turn up ahead is between two other vehicles that are already in the lane. I pull into the lane as
soon as I can, and make my turn. In this instance, you have to work with the distance you have. And
just make sure you have your turn signal on well ahead of time to let other drivers around you know
your intentions. If you're pulling out from a side road and turning left onto a road with the center
left turn lane, if there's no oncoming traffic for you to yield to, you can simply drive across
center lane, make sure you wait for a sufficient size gap so that when you pull into the lane,
you don't cause other traffic to have to swerve or slow down for you. Many times just before an
intersection, a two-way left turn lane ends where a dedicated left turn only lane begins. They're to be
used for two separate purposes, and there are lane markings that show where one ends and the other
begins. Sometimes the situation calls for drivers to have to use these lanes a little differently.
I need to turn left into this business entrance up ahead, but to do that, I have to pull slightly
past the end of the center lane and into part of the dedicated left turn lane in order to complete
my turn. And that's okay, because there's no other option at that location. In this situation, there
was a traffic accident on the left that caused a slowdown on drivers being able to turn left at the
intersection ahead. For safety reasons, this caused vehicles to have to line up in the dedicated left
turn lane all the way back into the center left turn lane to allow ongoing traffic to pass by.
Center left turn lanes are not to be used for passing slower vehicles in front of you and then
pulling back in front of them. That can get you a ticket. And also, if where you're going to turn is
way down the road, don't enter the turn lane too soon and drive in it for a long distance. That
can also get you a ticket. Getting into the center lane too soon and staying there, might interfere
with other vehicles also trying to use that lane. I hope this helped explain how to properly use
center left turn lanes. And if you have any advice, questions, or suggestions, please leave
those in the comment section below. Thanks for watching, have a great day, and always drive safe