The Difference Between a Left Turn and a Left Lane Change
2 Answers
Left turn refers to the vehicle changing direction to the left while driving, while left lane change refers to the vehicle moving to the left lane during driving without changing the direction of travel. The differences between their signs are as follows: The icons for left turn and left lane change differ in the following ways: 1. The size of the arrows is different. The left turn icon has only one arrow, while the left lane change has two arrows. 2. The size of the arrows is different. The arrow in the left turn icon is larger, while the arrows in the left lane change are smaller. 3. The icons represent different meanings. A left turn is performed at a road intersection, while a left lane change is performed while driving on a straight road.
The difference between a left turn and a left lane change is significant. A left turn occurs at an intersection or curve, where the vehicle changes direction to the left to enter another road, such as turning left from the main road onto a side street, altering the entire driving route. At that time, you must use the turn signal, check the traffic light, and be aware of potential pedestrians or oncoming vehicles, which carries higher risks. On the other hand, a left lane change happens on a straight road, where the vehicle moves left into the adjacent lane without changing direction, only switching positions, such as when overtaking. The core difference is that after a turn, you enter a new road direction, whereas after a lane change, you continue in the original direction. As a new driver, I used to confuse them at first. Once, I mimicked a turn on a straight road and nearly caused trouble by swerving out directly. Therefore, it’s crucial to distinguish them: turns must be performed at intersections, waiting for a safe gap, while lane changes require checking the rearview mirror and blind spot and signaling for a few seconds to alert following vehicles. This enhances safety and reduces the likelihood of violations.
