Problems with Center Turn Lanes and Merge Lanes

[PColumbus73]

It seems like in the last 10 years or so, the use of the center turn lane (aka TWLTL) and merge lanes (not from ramp to freeway, but from side street to arterial) have been corrupted.

In regard to Center Turn Lanes, I constantly see people using the turn lane as an acceleration/merge lane, often times with people creeping, crawling or simply parked in the center turn lane trying to get into the travel lane.

With merge lanes, I see more-or-less the same problem, people will inch forward into the merge lane until they run out of lane. Where I live (Myrtle Beach, SC), I've seen upwards of 3 or more cars literally PARKED in the acceleration/merge lanes waiting for a gap in traffic.

After watching people improperly using the accel lanes have caused me to view them with disdain. The same can be said with center-turn lanes. I'm surprised there aren't more accidents due to these issues.

How does one fix these issues?

[cl94]

Center turn lanes have that issue across the country and I was actually told to use it as an acceleration lane in driver's ed (I don't). If the driving instructors tell people to do it, it's not going to go away any time soon.

[jeffandnicole]

It depends on state laws, but in many states the TWLTL is permitted to be used as an acceleration lane, or at minimum a lane to pull into to wait for a gap in traffic. They must be late to the party in your area...I recall seeing this done in Delaware when I was in college there 19-23 years ago!

The acceleration lanes on highways are being used properly as well. While you're supposed to speed up and merge into traffic, that's dependent on if there's room to merge. If traffic is so tightly packed that a vehicle can't merge in, they have 3 options: Merge anyway into another vehicle and cause an accident, drive on the shoulder until they can merge in, or wait until there's a gap. The first two options are illegal.

Thus, in both cases, I don't see anything wrong with either.

[hbelkins]

It was not until I saw a brochure on the proper use of center turn lanes (TWLTL's) a few years ago that was published by Kansas that I learned that it was OK to pull into the center turn lane if making a left turn, and then wait for a gap in traffic to move into the travel lane.

[mariethefoxy]

lol I do that all the time, getting out of this one McDonalds, i turn left into the middle center turn lane and wait for a gap then move over. You could be waiting a long time for traffic to really open up otherwise.

[jakeroot]

There are places that don't use the center lane to merge? This is the first I've heard of this. I use the center lane to merge even when there isn't any cars around. I was taught, both by family and driver's ed, to turn into the closest lane. This includes the center turn lane on applicable roads. If you didn't use the center lane, you'd be waiting all day!

Here's Washington's laws on the books:

The driver of a vehicle intending to turn shall do so as follows:
...
(3) Two-way left turn lanes.
(a) The department of transportation and local authorities in their respective jurisdictions may designate a two-way left turn lane on a roadway. A two-way left turn lane is near the center of the roadway set aside for use by vehicles making left turns in either direction from or into the roadway.
(c) Upon a roadway where a center lane has been provided by distinctive pavement markings for the use of vehicles turning left from either direction, no vehicles may turn left from any other lane. A vehicle shall not be driven in this center lane for the purpose of overtaking or passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction. No vehicle may travel further than three hundred feet within the lane. A signal, either electric or manual, for indicating a left turn movement, shall be made at least one hundred feet before the actual left turn movement is made.

[roadman65]

What is a problem in Orlando is that one way left turn pockets are being used as merge lanes with the mergers going the opposite way of the turn.  Despite a double yellow line to the right of you with a single white line to the left of you, people will still treat is as the double turn lane.

Also, before US 192 in Kissimmee had its center turn lane removed, I was turning into Checkers and the center turn lane was not striped at the fast food's driveway for two way turn.  It was striped for EB Traffic only so they could turn into the side street which crosses US 192 where Checkers is at.  I, of course, was going WB and did not want to misuse it like the rest of the people do, so I made the turn from the farthest left lane that was there.  I then got honked at by the guy behind me for not using the opposite direction turn lane for my turn.

Now that set up is history and so is OBT in Orlando from FL 528 to I-4 where a grass median and J Turns was added there as well.  So far those are the only two projects I am aware of that eliminated them due to safety concerns. however to get FDOT's attention on them they are aware of not only the merge thing, but those who also use the lane to pass a long line of cars to get to the next signal's green protected left.  I have to admit I did it many years ago in Clark, NJ on Central Avenue to turn left on Raritan Road, until one guy who I thought was a moron at the time, decided to cut in front of me to turn left into a Supermarket that most people access via Raritan Road.  Luckily I was not in a collision with the guy, nor anywhere close to it, but I am sure we have some collisions from other drivers doing what I did back then.

[kphoger]

It depends on state laws, but in many states the TWLTL is permitted to be used as an acceleration lane, or at minimum a lane to pull into to wait for a gap in traffic. They must be late to the party in your area...

Nope, not late to the party.  Doing so is expressly permitted by the South Carolina vehicle code, which means the OP was simply mistaken.

(d) Two way left turn lanes. Where a special lane for making left turns by drivers proceeding in the opposite directions has been indicated by official traffic control devices:
2. A vehicle shall not be driven in the lane except when preparing for or making a left turn from or into the roadway or when preparing for or making a U turn when otherwise permitted by law.

[roadman65]

I wish that here in Florida we would ticket drivers who misuse the center turn lane. Heck the officers salary could be paid off in fines if we enforced that and other rules.  However, we cannot even ticket toll violaters as we allow them 10 days to pay the toll if they do not have money to pay it.  Considering that most of the unpaid toll cards I issue are repeat offenders especially one guy who had a stack a half an inch thick and admitted he is not paying the tolls until he is finished here with his business trip so he can use one stamp for all the tolls he refused to pay, we should be setting a warning.

The problem is no one enforces rules and even the cops themselves do not follow them.  In fact in Folkston, GA one cop used the center turn lane to merge and I thought that was not only odd, but I actually swerved away cause I though he was going to cut me off.  How was I supposed to know that he would do as others and use the turn lane for merging, so I assumed he was going in my lane, I moved over, which made him take notice of the Dade County plates and the fact I was alone, and though he could pull me over to give me a breath test for suspicious of DUI followed by a search because Miami is drug capital in the narrow minded redneck police minds. 

[jakeroot]

I wish that here in Florida we would ticket drivers who misuse the center turn lane.

Why? What are they doing wrong? I understand if it's against the law, but it's by far the best way to turn left. Sure, it might scare you, but that's your fault, not theirs.

[roadman65]

I wish that here in Florida we would ticket drivers who misuse the center turn lane.

Why? What are they doing wrong? I understand if it's against the law, but it's by far the best way to turn left. Sure, it might scare you, but that's your fault, not theirs.

Principal, not my fear, which BTW I have overcome.  It was not designed for that, but rogue people who saw the logic later on why waste a lane for only this, when demands require a safe haven to merge.  Like everything else, cops and everybody else went along with it just like the speed limit signs meaning 10 more than the actual number.

[jakeroot]

It was not designed for that, but rogue people who saw the logic later on why waste a lane for only this, when demands require a safe haven to merge.  Like everything else, cops and everybody else went along with it just like the speed limit signs meaning 10 more than the actual number.

Maybe it's a new thing in Florida, but in Washington, from 1965 (PDF page 13), center lanes were designated as left-turn lanes as well as passing lanes (i.e. suicide lanes) (no idea if they could be used for merging). From 1969 (PDF page 56), center lanes (now called "two way left turn lanes") were/are designated as lanes for turning left, both out of and into the roadway (i.e. they could be used for merging as well as turning) (they could no longer be used as passing lanes).

My point being, at least in Washington, the rule hasn't changed for nearly 50 years...two-way left turn lanes have been used as merge lanes for a very long time.

[roadman65]

The point of turning out makes sense, but I am not sure if FL wants it to be a merge or wait area.  I just think that with extra traffic using the roads its more of a safety concern than ever.

Plus the passing I do not think is legal anyway.  However, one guy today was using the lane to drive the same speed as the main lanes all to be in position to get into that left turn pocket.  Not exactly passing, but no reason for him to be in the lane at all.

[kphoger]

I can find nothing in the Florida vehicle code about TWLTLs at all. Is there no law there stating how they're to be used (or not used)?

[NE2]

I can find nothing in the Florida vehicle code about TWLTLs at all. Is there no law there stating how they're to be used (or not used)?

http://www.leg.state.fl.us/Statutes/index.cfm?App_mode=Display_Statute&Search_String=&URL=0300-0399/0316/Sections/0316.089.html sort of deals with it, but only on a three-lane road.

[kphoger]

Yeah, I read that one. Quite unlike South Carolina's code I cited above, though, which specifically mentions them. I'm not even sure the Florida code you cited can be said to apply, unless it were also legal to overtake in a TWLTL.

[roadman65]

I do not have problems with changes of the times as much as having an issue with people not using the right channels to change them.

We have the power to change laws, and we should use that instead of just changing because the majority is going rogue.  If the people of South Plainfield, NJ, for example, would all complain to their borough reps to raise the ridiculous 25 mph boroughwide speed zone instead of just take it upon themselves to go above the posted speed limit, I am sure those in charge would make the higher speed limit law.  Instead now, we all have to hope that a cop won't ticket us for doing the morally right maximum speed, as their cops in the past were issuing tickets especially along Park Avenue.

IMO, center turn lanes are obsolete on roads with high counts, and should be just eliminated. On not so busy four lane roadways, they are Okay.

[jeffandnicole]

A lot of states tend to use "3 lane roadway" for some reason.

When I read these laws, they specifically don't say the center lane is for two-way left turning traffic.  They say the roadway is designed for 2 way traffic.  So the law isn't referring to a TWLTL, but rather a roadway where the center lane is specifically designated for one direction of travel, and/or the lane is marked for passing in either direction. 

In most cases, TWLTLs are accompanied by this regularity sign: https://goo.gl/maps/V6AnrkxL5sF2 , which eliminates the passing option, and only permits the turning option.

Pennsylvania: http://www.legis.state.pa.us/cfdocs/legis/LI/consCheck.cfm?txtType=HTM&ttl=75&div=0&chpt=33:

Three lane roadways.--Upon a roadway which is divided into three lanes and provides for two-way movement of traffic, a vehicle shall not be driven in the center lane except when overtaking and passing another vehicle traveling in the same direction when the center lane is clear of traffic within a safe distance, or in preparation for making a left turn, or where the center lane is allocated exclusively to traffic moving in the same direction that the vehicle is proceeding and the allocation is designated by official traffic-control devices.

Nevada: http://www.leg.state.nv.us/nrs/nrs-484b.html

2.  Upon a highway which has been divided into three clearly marked lanes, a vehicle must not be driven in the extreme left lane at any time. A vehicle on such a highway must not be driven in the center lane except:
      (a) When overtaking and passing another vehicle where the highway is clearly visible and the center lane is clear of traffic for a safe distance;
      (b) In preparation for a left turn; or
      (c) When the center lane is allocated exclusively to traffic moving in the direction in which the vehicle is proceeding and a sign is posted to give notice of such allocation.

New Jersey:

39:4-88  Traffic on marked lanes.
c.Upon a highway which is divided into 3 lanes, a vehicle shall not be driven in the center lane except when overtaking or passing another vehicle or in preparation for a left turn or unless the center lane is at the time allocated for traffic moving in the direction the vehicle is proceeding and is signposted to give notice of that allocation.

[roadman65]

https://www.google.com/maps/@30.8359372,-83.2794946,3a,75y,4.31h,88.61t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sVRGI1FiPJbLQtfRYlXhf3w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

Speaking of problems with center turn lanes, why is this one even here?  Notice how there is only one SB lane for Ashley Street, and two NB lanes.  Should not the turn lane be another SB lane?

[bzakharin]

Honestly, there is no conflict when turning into a center lane unless it is a full 4-way intersection in which case there ought to be dedicated left turn lanes, so no chance of conflicting traffic occurs. I do agree that the center turn lanes exist in many places where they shouldn't exist (long stretches of no left turns in one o even both directions). I assume that this was a lazy conversion of suicide (passing) center lanes into center turn lanes

[roadfro]

A lot of states tend to use "3 lane roadway" for some reason.

When I read these laws, they specifically don't say the center lane is for two-way left turning traffic.  They say the roadway is designed for 2 way traffic.  So the law isn't referring to a TWLTL, but rather a roadway where the center lane is specifically designated for one direction of travel, and/or the lane is marked for passing in either direction. 

This makes me think that many of these laws were written for the days when more "suicide" passing lanes existed. Especially the way Pennsylvania and Nevada worded it regarding passing if the center lane is clear for a safe distance.

At least for Nevada, this assumption seems to be corroborated by the fact that the very next paragraph in the same statute specifically mentions the rules for TWLTLs:

NRS 484B.223  Driving on highway having multiple marked lanes for traffic; additional penalty for violation committed in work zone.
...
2.  Upon a highway which has been divided into three clearly marked lanes, a vehicle must not be driven in the extreme left lane at any time. A vehicle on such a highway must not be driven in the center lane except:
      (a) When overtaking and passing another vehicle where the highway is clearly visible and the center lane is clear of traffic for a safe distance;
      (b) In preparation for a left turn; or
      (c) When the center lane is allocated exclusively to traffic moving in the direction in which the vehicle is proceeding and a sign is posted to give notice of such allocation.

3.  If a highway has been designed to provide a single center lane to be used only for turning by traffic moving in both directions, the following rules apply:
      (a) A vehicle may be driven in the center turn lane only for the purpose of making a left-hand turn onto or from the highway.
      (b) A vehicle must not travel more than 200 feet in a center turn lane before making a left-hand turn from the highway.
      (c) A vehicle must not travel more than 50 feet in a center turn lane after making a left-hand turn onto the highway before merging with traffic.

This discussion makes me think about my own practice using TWLTLs. I rarely use the TWLTL as a merge area, preferring to wait for an adequate gap on both sides of travel. I may have learned this way, even though the Nevada Driver's Handbook does mention both. I think this is how most people operate (at least around here), as I don't see the merge maneuver often.

People using it as a merge area tends to make me apprehensive (like, is that person turning in front of me, or will they actually wait), and I don't like to put that thought in other drivers' heads if I can avoid it. And then I do get annoyed when people start driving along in the TWLTL after turning onto the roadway...when are you going to merge over cause you only get 50 feet?!?!

[kalvado]

https://www.google.com/maps/@30.8359372,-83.2794946,3a,75y,4.31h,88.61t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sVRGI1FiPJbLQtfRYlXhf3w!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!6m1!1e1

Speaking of problems with center turn lanes, why is this one even here?  Notice how there is only one SB lane for Ashley Street, and two NB lanes.  Should not the turn lane be another SB lane?

Not sure if you buy this (I would hesitate), but seems like east side is more business heavy, so there may be more left turns from SB lane - and "dieting" lane always blocked with turning cars into officially turn-only lane may make some sense... 

[bzakharin]

People using it as a merge area tends to make me apprehensive (like, is that person turning in front of me, or will they actually wait), and I don't like to put that thought in other drivers' heads if I can avoid it. And then I do get annoyed when people start driving along in the TWLTL after turning onto the roadway...when are you going to merge over cause you only get 50 feet?!?!

Where I live, one of the four bounding roads of the neighborhood is a busy 4-lane road with a center turn lane. Believe me, *everyone* uses the center lane to turn onto it and even then there can be a backup on the road that exits the neighborhood onto this road. Imagine what it would be like if people didn't do this. Using one of the other two bounding roads to get around this involves going backwards *and* enduring a potentially longer backup at a traffic light with 4 separate left turn phases for each direction of traffic.

[jeffandnicole]

The two people that annoy me: Those that pull in at the last second, often still sticking out into the main travel lane, and those that will travel an eternity in the lane before they turn.

In other words, about 99% of the people using those lanes annoy me.

[vdeane]

IMO, center turn lanes are obsolete on roads with high counts, and should be just eliminated. On not so busy four lane roadways, they are Okay.

You'd rather have people block the lane to turn left and block the driveway to turn onto the road because there's never a gap with no traffic?  Or make it impossible to access the business (a business only accessible from one side of the road is a business accessible to very few customers because they can't go home from there or can't get there from home).

This discussion makes me think about my own practice using TWLTLs. I rarely use the TWLTL as a merge area, preferring to wait for an adequate gap on both sides of travel. I may have learned this way, even though the Nevada Driver's Handbook does mention both. I think this is how most people operate (at least around here), as I don't see the merge maneuver often.

What do you do if it's very rare for there to be a gap on both sides of travel?  It's very common around here for one to need to wait 5+ minutes if they were to try that (on some roads, it's flat out impossible).