Two Right Turn Lanes....

In reference to the exchange with Susan, Brett and me, below is what the Kentucky State CDL Manual states:

Left Turns. On a left turn, make sure you have reached the center of the intersection before you start the left turn. If you turn too soon, the left side of your vehicle may hit another vehicle because of off-tracking. If there are two turning lanes, always take the right turn lane. Don't start in the inside lane because you may have to swing right to make the turn. Drivers on your left can be more readily seen. See Figure 2.14.

Okay...the figure it references (2.14, which I was unable to copy) depicts an example of two left-hand turning lanes and only a single right-hand turning lane. I completely agree in both theory and practical application that it's recommended/required to take the right most lane when encountering two LH turning lanes. The manual is not specific and does not provide any examples or figures for two right-hand turning lanes. So my conclusion, the above language is only relevant to a left-hand example. Considering the ambiguity, Kentucky should add specific language for double RH turning lanes and eliminate the need to interpret the "meaning" of the above. Not sure, but perhaps the State of Kentucky does not allow a road to have double RH turning lanes...

To reiterate; for two LH turning lanes, use the rightmost lane (like the above language recommends); for two RH turning lanes, use the left most lane for the exact same reason and logic offered in the LH example. You will not have enough room to safely complete the maneuver without occupying both RH lanes.

I was always told to use the right lane. On right hand turns your on the inside, on left hand turns your on the outside. Reason being, is that you can see down the drivers side better than the blind side. I haven't had any trouble making the right hand turns.

I was always told to use the right lane. On right hand turns your on the inside, on left hand turns your on the outside. Reason being, is that you can see down the drivers side better than the blind side. I haven't had any trouble making the right hand turns.

Diver,

I was told the same by a Virginia DOT CDL testing officer who explained to me that it is ALWAYS the right most turn lane.

So, if there are 2 right hand turn lanes, you start from the curbside lane just as you always would.

Then, just as you may need to breach the double yellow, on occasion, when there is only one right turn lane... you may/likely will need to breach the left most right turn lane in order to not take out any poles curbside.

However, it will be more safe because you have better visibility.

Of course, in practice, it may be best to simply line up straddling both lanes, in essence, "playing defense"... albeit aggravating everyone who wants to sneak around you :-)

I have to say, you guys are scaring me. It's one thing for someone in school to ponder how to make a turn. But experienced drivers? Come on!

How are you going to make a right turn if you have a telephone pole on your right and cars on your left?

And if you're in the inside lane, how is it easier to see a car on your left when the tractor is turned to the right? The left side of your trailer will be completely blind once your tractor starts the right hand turn. Think about it. There's no way you can know if someone is alongside you or not under those conditions.

But if you were in the outside lane you can see down the entire right hand side of your trailer with your spot mirror as you're making a broad, sweeping right hand turn. Not only that, but you can swing as far to the left as you need to because there's no one else out there.

You folks are scaring me.

And I don't care what any DOT guy said. Common sense tells you that you have more room and better vision making all turns from the outside lane, regardless of their direction.

I have to say, you guys are scaring me. It's one thing for someone in school to ponder how to make a turn. But experienced drivers? Come on!

How are you going to make a right turn if you have a telephone pole on your right and cars on your left?

And if you're in the inside lane, how is it easier to see a car on your left when the tractor is turned to the right? The left side of your trailer will be completely blind once your tractor starts the right hand turn. Think about it. There's no way you can know if someone is alongside you or not under those conditions.

But if you were in the outside lane you can see down the entire right hand side of your trailer with your spot mirror as you're making a broad, sweeping right hand turn. Not only that, but you can swing as far to the left as you need to because there's no one else out there.

You folks are scaring me.

And I don't care what any DOT guy said. Common sense tells you that you have more room and better vision making all turns from the outside lane, regardless of their direction.

I'm just reporting what I was told... I didn't say I agree with or follow the direction.

Brett, trust me I completely understand your logic and concern, but I'm telling you what I was told by Kentucky DOT matches with Diver's instructions by a VA DOT. I was required to make my right turns like that in CDL school and during DOT testing to obtain my CDL. That is exactly why I tell people to do it how THEIR state requires it for testing.

It is certainly something that needs to be addressed on a federal level.

Someone took a leak in G-Towns Cheerios. Dude's been spitting venom all week.

Someone took a leak in G-Towns Cheerios. Dude's been spitting venom all week.

We all get a little testy from time to time. His Cheerios are fine. But my coffee got cold I just now realized. Time for a refill!

Someone took a leak in G-Towns Cheerios. Dude's been spitting venom all week.

Matthew, there is nothing venomous in how I conduct myself in this forum. If someone like yourself, repeatedly offers false information, I will challenge them. If you consider that venomous, that's your problem to work out, not mine.

Brett, trust me I completely understand your logic and concern, but I'm telling you what I was told by Kentucky DOT matches with Diver's instructions by a VA DOT. I was required to make my right turns like that in CDL school and during DOT testing to obtain my CDL. That is exactly why I tell people to do it how THEIR state requires it for testing.

It is certainly something that needs to be addressed on a federal level.

I think the main thing is that your doing it safely. (Not hitting things) I'm more worried about 4 wheelers getting on my blind side than a 4 wheeler coming up on my driver's side after I've already started my turn. I've seen plenty of cars with tandem tire rub marks on their drivers side, which comes from them trying to pass on the right.