I’m not sure when I became the World’s Best Driver. There wasn’t a ceremony; I received no certificate or badge. But in the opinion of everyone who matters on this issue (i.e. me), there is no one on the planet who drives better than I do.
So, imagine my chagrin when a driving-related annoyance that I’ve been cursing others for doing for years now turns out to be perfectly permissible. And I didn’t know it.
Picture if you will, the following scenario:
You’re cruising south along a major thoroughfare — two traffic lanes and a two-way left-turn lane in the middle. From the corner of your eye you spot a westerly-headed car on a street perpendicular to yours beginning to turn south. You do some quick math and plot out the speed, rate of acceleration, and all that and determine, quite reasonably, that the car is on a trajectory to merge directly into you. Except, the car doesn’t turn into your lane; it turns into the left-turn lane where it creeps along until it finds a break in the traffic and then merges into southbound traffic behind you.
Annoying? Yes. Dangerous? You betcha. Legal.
According to “Mike” in the City of Seattle’s Traffic Operations department, perfectly.
During a friendly chat on the phone on Friday (during which I was put on hold to the tune of “We Shall Overcome”), Mike explained that the two-way left-turn lane may be used as a traffic “refuge” at times when congestion is heavy. Cars may turn into the lane and use it as a “staging area” until they find a gap in traffic. He did emphasize, however, that cars in the left-turn lane are not supposed to move. The left-turn lane is not for driving.
I’m not sure why I, the World’s Best Driver, was never contacted for my input into this crazy rule. Maybe news of my presence in Seattle hasn’t yet made it to the Traffic Operations office (indeed, Mike did not recognize my name when I announced myself). Nevertheless, I will not rest until the deadly menace of left-turn “staging” is stopped.
Comments
Major,
This is a common enough scenario in most states. Otehrwise known as the suicide lane, the middle turn lane allows cars in and out of the traffic flow cleanly and safely. You would be wise to assume that they will hit you and prepare yourself for impact, as most people are in fact somewhat dumb with their driving. Let them surprise you when they remain seated in the middle lane, allowing you safe passage past.
Further, should someone begin to travel in the center turn lane, attempting to merge witht he flow of traffic, instead of awaiting a gap to get into, I would recommend pulling alongside of them and pacing them, forcing them to either stop, slow down, or continue their illicit travel in the center lane.
Be wary of crossing a highway such as this during stopped traffic, as people will often use the middle lane (illicitly I might add) to travel up to the next intersection to turn left. As you cross the roadway through the goodness of drivers who left you a gap, some ya-hoo is always barrelling down the middle lane, unbeknownst to you.
Should a collision occur, the driver travlling the center lane would be the majority at fault.
And Mike called me to confirm all of that before speaking with you.
Good night and thank you...
Peter
Posted by: Peter "The Negotiator" Werner | July 22, 2006 1:26 PM
For ten points; In the movie, "So Fine", what was the last line Jack Warden delivered?
Chile ma
Posted by: Anonymous | July 24, 2006 11:49 AM
The world according to Major Steel.
Posted by: Anonymous | July 24, 2006 11:52 AM
Peter wrote: "I would recommend pulling alongside of them and pacing them, forcing them to either stop, slow down, or continue their illicit travel in the center lane."
I have, on occasion, employed this very tactic. :-)
Posted by: majorsteel | July 24, 2006 2:33 PM
Chile ma: "How long have the streets been fucked up like this?" (referring to Venice). Now, where are my ten points? :-)
Posted by: majorsteel | July 24, 2006 2:34 PM
I'm not surprised that people who move to Seattle join the throngs of people who already live their in believing that they are -- each and every one of them -- "the world's best driver."
I think of Seattle as the "Land of the Self-Appointed Traffic Official." Other drivers who see you executing a sketchy driving maneuver will honk, and shake their fists, and yell at you.
Posted by: oscar madison | July 25, 2006 7:21 AM
If you could not move into tyhe left run lane then you could get stuck waiting and have traffic backing up behind you. I think it helps with the potential delays in seattle's traffic.
Posted by: John Clifford | July 25, 2006 4:06 PM