Should I take the left-turn lane or the straight lane when going to the front left?
2 Answers
To turn left, you should take the left-turn lane, and to go straight, you should take the straight lane. If you are going to the front left within the intersection and the intersection allows it, since you need to cross the centerline to the left, you should still take the left-turn lane and enter the intersection when the left-turn signal is green. This usually depends on the road signs—some may indicate straight, while others may indicate left. Maintain a 30 cm distance: Approach the car in front and try to keep a distance of about 30 cm. Too far, and you may not be able to park; too close, and you may scrape the other car. Stop when your car's side mirrors align with the adjacent car's. If the adjacent vehicle is a large SUV, you may adjust the position slightly further back. Observe the left rearview mirror: When the edge of your vehicle aligns with the right edge of the vehicle behind you, straighten the steering wheel. Then continue reversing straight back, adjusting the car's position as needed during the process.
Speaking of this driving situation, I often felt confused when I first started learning to drive, especially at intersections. When seeing a left-front junction or curve, I wasn’t sure which lane to take. The rules are actually quite clear: if you want to turn left, of course, you should take the left-turn lane; but if you’re going straight, you should choose the straight lane. The key is to observe the road signs and traffic signals. Some intersections in the city are poorly designed—for example, the left-front might connect to a turning lane, so you need to slow down in advance and check the arrows clearly. Once, I panicked and chose the wrong lane, and the honking from the car behind me taught me a lesson—safety comes first, don’t ignore the rules just to save time. Driving habits take time to develop; beginners can get the hang of it by paying more attention to navigation prompts or practicing more.
