Merging from center lane illegal? News to me.

[archipirata]

Saw a story about it being illegal to pull out into a center turn lane (those roads that have them) to then merge into traffic. I always thought that was part of the reason for them to exist.

Apparently in Michigan it is illegal. However in some other states (Washington for example) it is perfectly legal and recommended.

What's the story where you live?

Here's the Michigan story: https://www.uppermichiganssource.com/con...MI5He2r9V0

And here is the opposing one from Washington: https://www.bellinghamherald.com/news/tr...53119.html

[M A V I C]

Well, I'm in WA so you know my answer. One key part that I see missed - " it’s illegal to travel more than 300 feet in the TWLTL"

[Robert M]

Arch,

NY is similar to Michigan. If turning onto a road with multiple lanes traveling in the same direction, make a left turn, you're supposed to turn into the left lane. Not the left turning lane, center lane or the right lane or what have you of the road. Left turn into center lane. Right turn into the right lane, not the middle lane, center lane, left or a left turning lane.

I've seen accidents because drivers made a turn from one lane into the incorrect lane. Many a time it's someone making a right turn from a side street onto a 4 lane road with two lanes traveling in each direct. They make the right turn and instead of turning into the right lane, they move into the left lane, causing the person already on the road and in the left lane to swerve to avoid a collision.

Happens all the friggin' time. Very annoying.

Robert

[Speedy]

Thanks arch, I didn’t know that about Michigan. I often turn into the center lane in order to merge.

[Mike Johnson]

In California, you can turn left from a driveway into a center left turn lane and merge into traffic when safe.

[Lew Zealand]

In AZ, you are supposed to left turn directly into the leftmost lane. Center lane is only for making a left turn out of, not in to. 4 trips to driving school does drive (!) some bits of minutia into even the thickest skulls.

I didn't know you could turn from a driveway into the center lane in CA. Only done driving school 2x in CA, looks like I need another trip or 2 to the DMV.

[ztirffritz]

I was taught in PA that the center lane is for turning.

[RgrF]

In normal LA traffic, turning into the center lane and waiting for a break in traffic is the only way to make a left turn - unless it's 3AM, you' be sitting on that side street for an hour.

[N-OS X-tasy!]

M A V I C wrote:
Well, I'm in WA so you know my answer. One key part that I see missed - " it’s illegal to travel more than 300 feet in the TWLTL"

These are referred to “center left turn lanes” in the CA Driver’s Handbook. Travel within the lane prior to completing a turn is 200 feet here.



https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail...ZA!!/?1dmy&urile=wcm%3apath%3a%2Fdmv_content_en%2Fdmv%2B%2B%2Fpubs%2Fhdbk%2Ftraffic_lanes#cltl

[NewtonMP2100]

....on Tinder......you need consent....to merge....