Center Left Turn Lanes
What? More lanes?! Yes, indeed.
On some two-way streets, you will find a center left turn lane. This makes it easier for vehicles turning left onto the street or turning left from the street to safely make a turn without slowing down traffic. If, like Zoolander, you are unable to turn left, this will be a non-issue for you. Yes, we just made a Zoolander reference. A really, really, ridiculously good-looking Zoolander reference.
A center left turn lane can be found in-between lanes of opposing traffic in the middle of the street. It is bounded on each side by one solid yellow line and one broken yellow line. It’s like they’re trying to confuse you.
What these lines mean is that, while this is not a regular lane of traffic, you may turn into it briefly while you are looking to either merge with traffic or turn left onto another street. You may only drive in this lane for up to 200 feet (that’s 2/3 of a football field, or for our British readers, ‘alf a rugby pitch).
Some Turnout!
Turnout lanes are sometimes located on two-lane roads where passing would be a dangerous proposition. If there is a buildup of traffic behind you, you may pull off into one of these turnout lanes rather than feel pressured to speed up. And you should never allow other cars to pressure you to speed up. Or to smoke. Peer pressure is bad.
If you are planning on turning left from this lane, activate your signal (either your left turn signal or your Bat-Signal, whichever is closer), and then drive into the lane once you have checked to make sure it is safe to do so. Wait until there is a large gap between yourself and any oncoming traffic, and then make your turn. Also be aware that there may potentially be another left-turning vehicle in the center lane heading in your direction. It’s not trying to get all up in your face; it has a right to be there—trust us. Just be careful, and try not to hit it head-on (or any other way).
When you are turning into the center lane from a side street, wait until there is a break in the traffic, and then turn into the lane. Pause once again to reassess the traffic situation. Once you are sure it is safe, you may merge into a regular lane. There, isn’t it nice to be regular again?