Which lane should you turn into when making a left turn?
2 Answers
When making a left turn, you should turn into the middle lane. The left turn waiting area is a designated zone where vehicles in the left turn lane must move forward when the straight-through traffic light turns green, waiting for the signal. The left turn lane is extended with several meters of white dashed lines, directly connecting to the middle of the road. These white dashed lines mark the left turn waiting area, allowing vehicles in the left turn lane to enter and wait for the turn when the straight-through traffic light turns green. Below are some precautions for driving in urban areas: 1. Turning on urban roads: Slow down and yield. Urban areas have heavy traffic and pedestrians. Before turning, activate your turn signal to indicate your intention. When turning, follow the principle of 'slow down, look, and proceed,' and always pay attention to the inside of the curve to avoid hitting pedestrians. 2. Observe left and right when turning at intersections: Conduct a comprehensive observation to prevent collisions. If making a left turn, pay attention to traffic signs, activate your turn signal in advance, and try to minimize the turning radius. If making a right turn, first activate your right turn signal, observe the angles when entering and exiting the turn, and avoid driving too close to the edge to prevent tires from hitting the curb. 3. Poor visibility in rainy or foggy weather: When approaching a curve, honk your horn in advance. Drive with your parking lights and fog lights on to make your vehicle's status and position visible to others, and reduce speed when meeting other vehicles.
As a driving instructor, I must emphasize that left turns must be made into the leftmost lane! We stress this during training. After completing the turn, signal and confirm it's safe before changing to the middle lane—directly cutting to the right lane is strictly prohibited. I've seen too many drivers take shortcuts by turning diagonally, which easily leads to sideswipes with oncoming traffic. Remember to signal at least 50 meters before the turn, slow down to under 20 km/h near the intersection, and check the distance of oncoming vehicles. Failing to change lanes in advance or mistakenly entering a bus lane will cost you 3 points and a 200-yuan fine. Don’t cross solid lines at intersections, and control your turning radius—these are all crucial details.
