re: when making u turns or lefts at intersections, go to the outside!

quote:

---

So when I go to Texas I need to know what 30’ looks like. That’s stupid.

---

Can you estimate car lengths?

Most of the narrow median intersections I would always see would have a median width barely the length of an average car. It’s usually pretty obvious it would be unlikely to have a car perpendicular to the thru lanes and not partially obstruct a thru lane or come very close to it. The ones designed correctly give cars in the left turn lanes a view of oncoming traffic like intersections with traffic lights with opposing left turn lanes are supposed to do (but also don’t always do especially for regular size sedans). When both lanes have good views and oncoming clear or very sporadic they can cross in front of each other like opposing left turn lanes with flashing yellow or solid green circle lights do.

These are also the type of intersections where crossing or left turning cars from the smaller side streets with stop signs are only supposed to begin crossing (or cross to make left turn) when it is clear in both directions to do so completely without stopping in the middle as stopping would end up a putting them a little in one thru lane. Once stopped they can also have their view blocked by left turn lane cars coming from their right.

Its really difficult to view the area in between the narrow medians as actually being true crossing or perpendicular lanes like with wide medians where the area is an extension of the side road or roads with many marked as such (but not all which can add to the confusion).

quote:

---

I don’t know how people don’t feel a sense of unease when they do it the wrong way and all of a sudden there is a car going the opposite direction that is now on their right instead of their left.

It’s common sense.

---

Do you feel that unease making lefts at flashing yellow left turn signals with both directions of traffic making left turns?

quote:

---

The line would block that car's view either way.

I'm parking my arse in this thread and will die in here. I fricking loathe this scenario. It almost always ends up with 2-3 cars all facing the same way at the neutral ground, and one poir soul trying to turn staring at 3 retards who don't know who should go first.

---

With that width of a median they would both be blocked to various extents, but with turn lanes added or just a very narrow median with the left turning drivers coming closer to facing each other before turning or even more towards the passenger side of the opposing left turning car crossing in front including the nudging up and over can give drivers a better view of oncoming traffic. How much better would depend on other factors, but it’s not much different than 2 cars waiting to make opposing yielding lefts at a stop light in turn lanes that put them closer to facing each other or even putting both of the drivers closer to the passenger side of the oncoming vehicles. Then add in the creeping up and over to both get a head start and a little better view around other cars waiting to make opposing left turn.

For the absolutists on going around the outside of each other regardless of width of the median do you also stay to the outside in the exact same way with any oncoming traffic even if initially there isnt an opposing car turning left and/or while waiting in middle area for oncoming traffic (from your right now) to clear (not asking about when zero oncoming traffic and you can make left without having to stop or wait on any traffic but when you know you are likely to have to wait thru some oncoming traffic before crossing)? Or do you always just stay completely out of the open area between the medians until traffic clears for you to make a left without stopping?

U Turn Deez