Driving law question, turning lanes

Factual Questions
1

Here’s something I’ve been curious about for a while, and even asked a driving instructor, to no avail.

I realize driving laws vary by state, but perhaps there’s a consensus.

Anyway…

When turning lanes are ‘created’ for a specific intersection, they start off as one lane, then gradually split off into two - and during the ‘splitting off’ time, when a full lane isn’t formed, there are yellow diagnol lines going across the area that’s not a full lane yet - and then the yellow area curves/stops when the lane is fully formed.

Anyway, is it legal to drive on the yellow area to ride the turning lane ‘as it’s created’, or do you have to always avoid the yellow and simply turn at the end when the lane is fully formed?

2

In this area, at least, diagonal lines are treated as a median. Driving on them is not allowed.
Peace,
mangeorge

3

Legally you have to stay in the marked lane and not cross any solid lines. Practically, at a busy intersection all the scofflaws will get in there, blocking you off if you wait to follow the line.

4

those scofflaws are allowing a free flow of traffic in hte ‘straight’ lane. Yes it is illegal but this is one of those times where the law is an ass and people have to do what is morally correct.

5

I did this very thing yesterday. As I was driving around the left of a line of cars to “speed things” up and going over the yellow lines, this mail man cuts between cars and had to stop short as I approached. Of course he gave me the hairy eyeball but, it got me wondering if I HAD hit him, would they hang me for doing what I was doing or hang him for not crossing at a crosswalk?

6

I always drive straight through the yellow painted part.

What would the reason be for them not wanting you to drive through there?

7

It is illegal to drive on the yellow painted part. Most people do it anyway & most cops don’t ticket for it unless they’ve had a very bad day.

8

Those scofflaws are also increasing the likelihood of an accident with a law-abiding motorist – those who wait until the proper time to shift lanes, and who might not be looking over their shoulder for motorists who are hurtling down the “no drive” zone.

Granted, it would be safe and wise to check for such motorists, but by the same token, they shouldn’t have to do so.

9

Even if you hit a pedestrian walking in the middle of the street, you’re the one (generally) who gets ‘hanged.’ AFAIK, pedestrians always have the right of way, even when they’re wrong.

As for the OP, in California, way back when I took driver’s Ed, the instructor (and the DMV driving booklet) said that crossing over solid lines was illegal. White lines divide traffic going the same direction & yellow lines traffic going opposite direction. The hashed lines are there indicate “do not drive.” Several reasons for this, but one reason is often for emergencies. It leaves a clear space for emergency vehicles to get to the intersection (as well, I suppose, as a place for cars that break down or are hit in/near the intersection a place to pull over without blocking traffic).

PC

10

Earlier today I went and found a couple of left-turn lanes of the type we’re talking about. Looks to me like the yellow lines are there to keep you seperated from opposing traffic.
Sounds good to me. I’m writing k2dave and Koth each virtual ticket. :wink:
Coupla years of hard time should cure such rebeliousness.
Peace,
mangeorge