Which lane should I take for a left turn on a three-lane road?
2 Answers
When making a left turn on a three-lane road, you should enter the leftmost lane. Typically, the rightmost lane is designated for right turns, the middle lane for going straight, and the leftmost lane for left turns. Therefore, when turning left on a three-lane road, you should use the leftmost lane. The relevant regulations from the "Implementation Regulations of the Road Traffic Safety Law of the People's Republic of China" are as follows: 1. Article 51: At intersections with designated lanes, enter the appropriate lane based on your intended direction. Vehicles preparing to enter a roundabout must yield to vehicles already inside the roundabout. When turning left, stay to the left of the center of the intersection, use your turn signal, and at night, drive with low beams on. 2. Article 52: At intersections with traffic signs or markings, yield to the party with the right of way. At intersections without traffic signs or markings, stop before entering to observe and yield to vehicles coming from the right. Turning vehicles must yield to vehicles going straight, and right-turning vehicles from the opposite direction must yield to left-turning vehicles.
I remember that after driving for many years, when encountering three lanes where you need to turn left, you should generally choose the leftmost lane. This is almost a universal rule because the middle lane is usually for going straight, and the right lane may be for turning right or going straight. However, it also depends on the specific situation, such as the arrow markings on the road. If there are special left-turn signs, sometimes the middle lane may also allow left turns. To be safe, I always slow down when approaching an intersection, check the signs clearly, and then proceed. I recall one time in the city, there was a left-turn signal at the intersection, and I was in the correct lane, so I made the turn smoothly. Being in the wrong lane could cause confusion or even an accident. Stay alert and observe the movements of other vehicles more often—this is how you can drive with peace of mind.
