# Surely some mistake? \[Why do parking structures have signs that say "Use both lanes?"\] **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [August 8, 2013, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surely-some-mistake-why-do-parking-structures-have-signs-that-say-use-both-lanes/665664 "2013-08-08T02:17:42Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 11\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Nglshmn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/90ced4/32.png) [@Nglshmn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nglshmn)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 2:17am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surely-some-mistake-why-do-parking-structures-have-signs-that-say-use-both-lanes/665664/1 "2013-08-08T02:17:42Z")
Why do parking structures have signs that say “Use both lanes?” They are thinking of it from the structures owner’s point of view. Surely they mean “use either lane”, or “use each lane”? Or even better “both lanes available” or “both lanes usable”? Classic case of not thinking like your customer… ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 2:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surely-some-mistake-why-do-parking-structures-have-signs-that-say-use-both-lanes/665664/2 "2013-08-08T02:28:04Z")
The fewer and smaller words a sign has, the larger and more quickly and easily read they can be. You can argue about what words would be best. No doubt that some signs are not as clear as they could be. But familiarity also helps in the split second that a driver has to process a sign. “Use both lanes” is a familiar idiom. Even if another word choice is intellectually better, it may take longer to process. ---
**Author:** ![runningdude](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e9c0ed/32.png) [@runningdude](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/runningdude)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surely-some-mistake-why-do-parking-structures-have-signs-that-say-use-both-lanes/665664/3 "2013-08-08T02:33:26Z")
It is addressing the plural you. It commands: “Both of you… use both lanes!” ---
**Author:** ![Alley\_Dweller](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alley_dweller/32/430_2.png) [@Alley\_Dweller](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alley_Dweller)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 2:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surely-some-mistake-why-do-parking-structures-have-signs-that-say-use-both-lanes/665664/4 "2013-08-08T02:38:28Z")
And whenever I see a “Slow Children” sign, I speed up because I know I’ll have time to beat the slow children before they cross the street. ---
**Author:** ![Colibri](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/colibri/32/1841_2.png) [@Colibri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Colibri)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surely-some-mistake-why-do-parking-structures-have-signs-that-say-use-both-lanes/665664/5 "2013-08-08T03:10:04Z")
Moved to IMHO. Please use descriptive thread titles. Title edited to indicate subject. Colibri General Questions Moderator ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surely-some-mistake-why-do-parking-structures-have-signs-that-say-use-both-lanes/665664/6 "2013-08-08T03:20:42Z")
The sign near the elevator at work says “In case of fire, use stairs”. Does this mean I can never use the elevator? ---
**Author:** ![drewtwo99](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d07c76/32.png) [@drewtwo99](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drewtwo99)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 3:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surely-some-mistake-why-do-parking-structures-have-signs-that-say-use-both-lanes/665664/7 "2013-08-08T03:43:01Z")
> [@gigi](#): > > The sign near the elevator at work says “In case of fire, use stairs”. Does this mean I can never use the elevator? That’s right! You never know when a fire might be happening. Always use the stairs. In other news, a 10 car pile-up occurred when the OP slammed on their breaks upon seeing a “Do Not Pass” sign. ---
**Author:** ![Novelty\_Bobble](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/a3d4f5/32.png) [@Novelty\_Bobble](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Novelty_Bobble)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 9:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surely-some-mistake-why-do-parking-structures-have-signs-that-say-use-both-lanes/665664/8 "2013-08-08T09:01:02Z")
> [@runningdude](#): > > It is addressing the plural you. It commands: “Both of you… use both lanes!” No, they’re just referencing the copenhagen interpretation of quantum motoring where a vehicle can be both a smart car and a hummer at the same time. ---
**Author:** ![Keeve](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/f07891/32.png) [@Keeve](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Keeve)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 10:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surely-some-mistake-why-do-parking-structures-have-signs-that-say-use-both-lanes/665664/9 "2013-08-08T10:49:04Z")
> [@Alley\_Dweller](#): > > And whenever I see a “Slow Children” sign, I speed up because I know I’ll have time to beat the slow children before they cross the street. When I see a “Slow Children” sign, I wonder why the municipality chose to make fun of the mentally challenged kids. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surely-some-mistake-why-do-parking-structures-have-signs-that-say-use-both-lanes/665664/10 "2013-08-08T11:43:26Z")
People slowing down in tunnels causes traffic to back up. There are signs that say **Maintain Speed Thru Tunnel**. I’ve always wanted to rear end the car in front of me and use the sign as a defense. ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_T](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Gary\_T](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_T)\ **Post date:** [August 8, 2013, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/surely-some-mistake-why-do-parking-structures-have-signs-that-say-use-both-lanes/665664/11 "2013-08-08T15:52:19Z")
> [@Nglshmn](#): > > Why do parking structures have signs that say “Use both lanes?” > > They are thinking of it from the structures owner’s point of view. > > Surely they mean “use either lane”, or “use each lane”? Or even better “both lanes available” or “both lanes usable”? > > Classic case of not thinking like your customer… No, classic case of giving instruction to a group of customers rather than to an individual. If you’re at a food buffet table and a sign or person says “use both sides” do you complain that it’s not possible unless you cut yourself in half?