Two Lefts Make A What Now?

[Karhukonna]

Evenin' folks. Earlier today, I was driving around downtown. I arrived an X-crossing, and the most dreadful thing happened. The guy driving towards me on his side of the road was turning left, and I wanted to turn left too. So I do what I always do in these situations, I start tilting my car left a good distance from the turn, so as to point out where I'm going for real. The other driver instead just sort of slides to his right, instead. I had to stop my car, we were going pretty slowly so there was no real danger or anything. Turned out he had just forgot his turn signal on, no idea how.

The thing is, I thought he was going for the other method of taking a left turn. Allow me to explain. Back when I was getting my driver's license, we were taught two separate methods when it came to taking a left turn when the oncoming car is also turning left. The first one was simply going in front of the other car, as depicted in the stylish MS Paint rendering of the situation.

Now, this is all well and good, but we were also taught the "official" method. In this method, the two cars drive alongside each other and then taking their turns. An example below.

The things is, I really dislike the official method. Whenever I go for it, the other driver just totally freezes, and doesn't know what to do. The unofficial method works like a charm, and traffic flows smoothly.

Which brings to question, was my driving instructor high as fuck when he taught me that, or is this a widespread thing?

So, driving escapists, what do you thing? Which method do you use?

Also, say no to polls.

 

[Mr Fixit]

Two lefts make a U-turn, but I use the first method you mentioned. I don't know if its right or not......

 

[Fappy]

I always do the first method. I think your driving instructor may be a meth-addict.

 

[sinsfire]

It probably depnds on where you are from (local rules), but I always consider each intersection differently. If its a smaller intersection then I would say you turn in front of each other. If a larger intersection then you pass each other then turn.

Try to consider where you are turning into as well. If the street that you are both turning onto has a medican barrier then most likely you would drive past each other instead of driving on the wrong side of the road until you passed the medican and were able to complete the turn.

If you are turning onto a two lane road (one lane in each direction) then driving past the car first may actually make you overshoot the road you were attempting to turn on to.

In other words, both are correct but it depends on the situation. There may also be local or municipality laws that govern these interactions, I can't speak to those.

 

[Revnak_v1legacy]

Okay, if that intersection had a light then you would use the "unofficial" method. I see no reason to be inconsistent here.

 

[Jonluw]

I've never heard of the "official" method being used where I live.

 

[Karhukonna]

It probably depnds on where you are from (local rules), but I always consider each intersection differently. If its a smaller intersection then I would say you turn in front of each other. If a larger intersection then you pass each other then turn.

Yeah, it does kinda go without saying that these things are not written in stone. Still, it got me thinking about my driving lines a bit. It is a bit hazardous to always cut your turns a bit tight, might get run over by a car turning right from your left.

Okay, if that intersection had a light then you would use the "unofficial" method. I see no reason to be inconsistent here.

I would actually go with the official method there. As I mentioned above, there are all sorts of dangers when you sway from your course. And since there's no one coming at you, there's no reason to make a cut.

That reminds me, we have no traffic lights at all, not one light in the entire town. Gotta love those cities with their double lanes and traffic lights and dividers and stuff.

 

[Launcelot111]

I don't trust people to be good drivers for either of those examples, so you know what, I'll just let the other guy go first. I'm not in any hurry. (although I think example one is the right one if there are turn lanes and example two is for stop signs or without turn lanes)

 

[Revnak_v1legacy]

Okay, if that intersection had a light then you would use the "unofficial" method. I see no reason to be inconsistent here.

I would actually go with the official method there. As I mentioned above, there are all sorts of dangers when you sway from your course. And since there's no one coming at you, there's no reason to make a cut.

That reminds me, we have no traffic lights at all, not one light in the entire town. Gotta love those cities with their double lanes and traffic lights and dividers and stuff.

Er, I guess your inexperience with traffic lights may have colored your answer here, so I'll explain. Generally, left turns are given green lights opposite eachother, obviously with multiple cars going at once. If they were to use this "official" method you speak of, only three or four cars would get through every green light. That would promote unreasonable amounts of traffic. The method you're talking about is actually used more often in left turn lanes yielding to the opposing straight lane, and I don't think it is advised even then.

 

[Soviet Heavy]

That "official" method is fucking dangerous. Turning left with the opposing driver on your right means that traffic behind your vehicles has to slow down. Turning with the opposing driver on your left while turning left means you are instead skirting between two oncoming cars rather than one. It's a recipe for disaster.

 

[Karhukonna]

Er, I guess your inexperience with traffic lights may have colored your answer here, so I'll explain. Generally, left turns are given green lights opposite eachother, obviously with multiple cars going at once.

Actually, here in Finland if we have a separate light for left turns (and possibly a separate lane), they get to pretty much own the intersection. No oncoming traffic whatsoever, not even the opposite cars going left. Single lights with single lanes, and the usual rules apply.

But then there's this.

The method you're talking about is actually used more often in left turn lanes yielding to the opposing straight lane, and I don't think it is advised even then.

Please explain, I see no reason not to drive by the oncoming car.

Also, inexperienced with lights? *mumblemumlespentyearsdrivingaroundbigcitiesmumblemumble*

 

[Revnak_v1legacy]

Er, I guess your inexperience with traffic lights may have colored your answer here, so I'll explain. Generally, left turns are given green lights opposite eachother, obviously with multiple cars going at once.

Actually, here in Finland if we have a separate light for left turns (and possibly a separate lane), they get to pretty much own the intersection. No oncoming traffic whatsoever, not even the opposite cars going left. Single lights with single lanes, and the usual rules apply.

But then there's this.

I suppose that explains that then.

The method you're talking about is actually used more often in left turn lanes yielding to the opposing straight lane, and I don't think it is advised even then.

Please explain, I see no reason not to drive by the oncoming car.

Also, inexperienced with lights? *mumblemumlespentyearsdrivingaroundbigcitiesmumblemumble*

More that they pull out and wait for the other cars to get out of the way, that way they get where they're going faster, and I now see why we are confusing eachother. It appears that different countries often have very different traffic systems. Who would have guessed.
AND HOW WOULD ONE DRIVE BY THE ONCOMING CAR? Just, what? They are coming towards you parallel to you on the left, you are turning left, sense is nonexistent, physical objects no longer collide. I do not understand you foreign countries with your foreign laws!

 

[Karhukonna]

AND HOW WOULD ONE DRIVE BY THE ONCOMING CAR? Just, what? They are coming towards you parallel to you on the left, you are turning left, sense is nonexistent, physical objects no longer collide. I do not understand you foreign countries with your foreign laws!

The idea is this: You are approaching a simple minded X-crossing, you're turning left and the oncoming car is going to drive straight, passing by you on your left side. If for whatever reason there's room behind the car coming at you, you can approach the intersection driving straight, and once you've passed by the oncoming car at the center of the intersection, you leisurely take your left turn.

This obviously won't work if there are several cars approaching, but if you both (or even just the other guy) have a stop-sign, you can slip by without inconveniencing the other drivers.

 

[Dags90]

I always go with the first one when I have to make a left. Living in New Jersey though, you rarely have to make a left on a highway/major road. In order to make a left you take a jughandle.

 

[Revnak_v1legacy]

AND HOW WOULD ONE DRIVE BY THE ONCOMING CAR? Just, what? They are coming towards you parallel to you on the left, you are turning left, sense is nonexistent, physical objects no longer collide. I do not understand you foreign countries with your foreign laws!

The idea is this: You are approaching a simple minded X-crossing, you're turning left and the oncoming car is going to drive straight, passing by you on your left side. If for whatever reason there's room behind the car coming at you, you can approach the intersection driving straight, and once you've passed by the oncoming car at the center of the intersection, you leisurely take your left turn.

This obviously won't work if there are several cars approaching, but if you both (or even just the other guy) have a stop-sign, you can slip by without inconveniencing the other drivers.

Oh, alright then. We're actually thinking of the same thing essentially.