Right Lane Or Left?

Definitely the outside lane.

I always take outside lane, if I still think my trailer will cut into the right lane on a right turn I will split them and use both.

Phoenix, now that we've caused enough animosity in your relationship with your husband to get divorce proceedings started, I want to explain the rationale behind always using the outside lane whether the turn is right or left.

I knew you really already understood the principle when you said this statement:

Then why do we use the right lane when turning left? Don't we have to go straight a little further so we don't take out poles and curbs and maybe people on the curb? If you stay to the high side your off track would still be in your lane, but if you go wide around from the right lane you might cut someone off in the left one. Sorry this just doesn't compute for me.

You are exactly right! If you use the inside lane you are going to have to pull your tractor out into the outside lane considerably so that you don't clip anything in that corner with your trailer. That is an accident waiting to happen. By using the outside lane you will almost always have enough room to pull your tractor out far enough, without impeding the flow of traffic, so that your trailer stays in it's own lane as you complete your turn.

Right hand turns are some of the most common accidents in our industry, whatever lane you are in. proceed with extreme caution.

Outside lane always.

UNLESS the inside turn lane has been specifically designed to accommodate the extra turning radius and off-tracking of a semi truck. Two examples I can think of off the top of my head are exit 12A off I-205 SB in Clackamas, OR and exit 630 off I-5 NB in Corning, CA. Both of these ramps have two right turn lanes, and in both cases the inside lane has an extra wide shoulder and extra turn arc to allow for trucks to turn from the inside lane.

One other thing to note:

If the 2 right turning lanes are controlled by a traffic signal, only the inside lane will typically be able to turn on red.

So if you're in the outside lane, you'll wait for the green light. This will help you avoid any problems with cross-traffic, since they should be stopped when you make your turn.

I have always turned from Right most lane for Right turns with multiple Right turn lanes. This video explains this.

The example in that video features a double-lane right turn with an island blocking the front of the outer lane. This makes it impossible for the driver to pull out far enough for his trailer to clear the inner lane. In that situation, I would try straddle both lanes during the last 100-200 feet before the turn (if possible) then use them both to make the turn, or else go extra slow and wait for other cars to go by you first.

I still maintain, however, that if there is not an island or other barrier in front of the outer lane, it's best to stay to the outside and pull straight out far enough for your trailer to clear the inner lane before starting to turn.

We actually just went over this in my training class. If there are two right turn lanes, we were told to use the left lane because of the wider turning area.

Ok, first of all you will rarely find a right turn that's gentle enough to safely execute without crossing into any other lanes of traffic. Either your tractor will have to go into oncoming traffic, your trailer will offtrack into another lane, or both. So even if there are two right hand turning lanes you're normally going to have to cross into other lanes of traffic with either your tractor or your trailer.

The big thing I was waiting for someone to mention is what you can see in your mirrors versus where your blind spots will be.

Once you begin making a right hand turn you won't be able to see anything along the left side of your trailer. So if you're in the inside turning lane and you have to swing wide left in order to clear a telephone pole on your right you won't be able to see if anyone is alongside your trailer on the left.

You will, however, be able to see if anyone is alongside your trailer on the right hand side much easier once you begin executing a turn, especially in your spot mirrors. Therefore I would prefer to use the outside turning lane in this scenario. From the outside lane I know I have a wider turning radius to begin with and I don't have to worry about traffic coming up along my blindside on the left during the turn. I only have to watch my right side to make sure I'm not going to run over anyone that's in the inside turning lane.

Also, that video seems to be from the perspective of an insurance company who is telling you the best way to avoid being liable for an accident. For instance he says, "If you're making a right hand turn and someone tries to pass on the right it's better to stop and let them hit you instead of you hitting them." Now that's spoken like a true insurance professional, not a driving professional. As driving professionals we're far more interested in what it takes to avoid the accident in the first place, not what to do to make an accident someone else's fault.

So I would say:

1) If you can see during your approach to an intersection that you can make the right hand turn safely from the inside lane without leaving that inside lane then do so.

2) If you can tell from a distance that the turn is rather tight and there's a lot of obstacles around I would make the turn from the outside lane to give myself a wider turn radius and avoid anyone coming up along my blind side.

3) If you can not tell from a distance what the prospects are for making the turn from the inside lane then go with the outside lane to be safe.

The nightmare scenario that you want to avoid is starting the turn from the inside lane and then realizing you won't clear an obstacle on your right without swinging out into the outside turning lane. Once you've begun turning that tractor to the right you will no longer be able to see what is coming up on your left side so you won't know if you can swing wide into the outside turning lane or not. Now you have all kinds of problems.

That's my take on it.

Sorry folks, we don't get service in Nebraska or Wyoming.

Thank you for all the helpful replies! From some, I'm very glad I asked lol.

Old School, this is hardly grounds for divorce! Especially since he suggested I bring the question here lol. Now, had I asked about who should be 1st seat....

Just kidding...kinda lol