WHY do people do this?

[velobard]

NP, just like the video game Frogger.

I trust you took note of his avatar before you made that comment. :chuckle:



Yeah, that is significantly different. Even 2 lanes I could see if it was done carefully, but with three it's a much bigger risk that close to an intersection. In most cases such as this with a road this wide, I'd expect to see a median divider of some sort, usually an island, near the intersection to help prevent the sort of thing you're griping about.

 

[DodgeRacer]

It confuses me why people try to pull out of a parking lot like that. The time it takes to go around the block and turn at the light is well spent if it avoids an accident. I always go for a traffic light to turn left onto a busy street like that even if I have to go a few blocks out of my way.

 

[paul34]

Yea, now I know what you're talking about



I know some might consider me "dumb," but in a case like that, usually I'd go that smaller road up on top if there was an exit available there



Otherwise, I'd pull into the right lane (right turns must be made into the rightmost lane), turn another right onto that smaller road, make a u-turn, then wait for the light. I don't like jumping into traffic - too scared I might miss a car at some point and cause a bad accident



I'd rather have a traffic light assist me. Wussy? Probably, but its better than taking chances

 

[twitch]

I know some might consider me "dumb," but in a case like that, usually I'd go that smaller road up on top if there was an exit available there



I'd rather have a traffic light assist me. Wussy? Probably, but its better than taking chances

I would consider you smart for doing so. I do the same thing because what is the point of trying to cross all 3 lanes? There is a light there for a reason.



Not a wuss thing at all... it's smart! :2thumbs:

 

[ZoranC]

There's no rule I've ever heard of in any of the six states where I've lived that prohibits turning across a double-yellow line to enter or exit a road.

I assume that means you haven't dealt with CHP & Co.

 

[velobard]

I assume that means you haven't dealt with CHP & Co.

Nope, I haven't. You did get me curious enough to look up the California Driver's License Manual, though. It still looks like making a left turn across a double-yellow line is legal. What it says is:

Two sets of solid double yellow

lines spaced two or more feet

apart are considered a barrier.

Do not drive on or over this barrier

or make a left turn or a U-turn across it except at designated

openings.

So when there's TWO sets of double-yellow lines, that's one thing, but it still says it's OK to make turns across a single set.

Two solid yellow lines mean no

passing. Never drive to the left of

these lines unless you are:

• Turning left at an intersection.

• Turning into or out of a private

road or driveway.

• In a carpool lane that has a

designated entrance on the left.

• Instructed to drive on the other

side of the road because your

side is closed or blocked.

Seems logical enough to me.

 

[CleanGSR]

The three lanes is a lot different. I would agree that it's better to hit the stoplight for the left turn if available in either case. In that three lane picture, I wouldn't try to turn left either, but on the first picture......if everybody goes right and turns around down the block, do you realize how backed up traffic would be at the turn around area??

 

[ZoranC]

So when there's TWO sets of double-yellow lines, that's one thing, but it still says it's OK to make turns across a single set.

I see where is misunderstanding starting. You are referring to them using legal definition. I am referring to them as everybody here talks about them. "Double yellow" = "two sets of yellow lines that are double and further than two feet apart".