Two Right Turn Lanes....

We were taught that if we approached an intersection and weren't sure we would have enough room (like a blind corner) to button hook it. This was deemed so important to making safe turns that we spent quite a bit of time practicing it.

Bruce, the "buttonhook" is certainly a useful turning maneuver. It is not deemed safe though in a multiple lanes turn situation. I always use the outside lane. It makes no difference to me whether right or left. Your mirrors hold the key to why you should handle multiple turn lanes from the outside lane.

Old School: Is the button hook turn different from what is being addressed in this discussion? Perhaps I'm talking about a different situation and have the two mixed up. Thanks

Old School: Is the button hook turn different from what is being addressed in this discussion? Perhaps I'm talking about a different situation and have the two mixed up. Thanks

Yes

Bruce, the buttonhook is necessary when you only have a single turn lane while making a right turn into a single lane. Typically you don't have enough room in such a turn to keep from getting on the sidewalks or taking out some structure on your right.

When you have multiple turn lanes, the outside lane keeps you from hitting anything. Think about your mirrors and what you can see in them while making a turn. In a right turn your right mirror shows you the side of your trailer, the left mirror shows you nothing helpful. There could be an unseen car coming around you on that side. By using the outside lane you eliminate that possibility, and you can keep yourself from encroaching the lane to your right.

Seeing I just took my driving test again Iin California they have signs all over the place that state on our road test routes that all trucks will make LH and RH turns from the outside lane. Which makes sense seeing the trailer tracks different than a car. If I was stupid enough to take a RH turn from the curbside, I would either take out the light, telephone pole or the car on my left. Also the signs have a truck with a line through it so people who can't read the language of the land can understand that you don't make RH turns from the inside lane. So if a DOT officer told me to do this I would say then you will take responsibility for any damages that occurre.

I was just pointing out sometimes there isn’t any signage and you have to observe your surroundings. Yes the rule of thumb is use the outside of the 2 turn lanes. In the place I gave the previous example, if you attempted to use the left of the right hand turn lanes your trailer would off track well into the r/h lane. Some places are very crappy about signage.

I didn’t read this whole thread, so I didn’t see the example, but at least you would be able to see it on your right side. On the left you would be blind.

Grumpy with the possible exception of Patrick’s example; you’ll have more room to work with in the outside lane, and there won’t be any traffic since there are no any additional lanes of traffic on your blindside left. Aim high and you can watch the track of the trailer in the right mirrors as you progress through the right turn.

The geometry favors outside lane running, since the inside lane will have a much tighter radius. As Patrick indicated, and I do agree, situational awareness and common sense must always apply.

Sorry, I wasn't clear. What sounds perfectly clear in my head is confusing, LOL.

What I meant was, at least if you are in the outside (left) right turn lane, and you encroach on the right hand right turn lane, you can at least see it in your mirror, and hopefully avoid dragging your tandems across the top of someone. Exactly what you are saying, just not quite as eloquent. :)

I'll have to go find Patrick's example

There are instances where there is no signage, but the right lane is for trucks. Case in point is coming off I-75 NB at the Corbin, KY exit heading east towards the Pilot. If you look at the lanes it is obvious. The left lane is narrow and the right lane is extra wide. Sometimes you just have to pay attention to how the lines are painted.

Ah, OK, that makes sense. They designed the right lane to accommodate off tracking.

I found a lot of stuff on highway design during my research. If possible, they recommend changing the radius to accommodate trucks

As a new driver I have to chime in on this. I believe they are called extreme or gradual turns depending on which lane you are in. Based on that information alone why would you even consider making an extreme turn in a tractor pulling a 53 foot trailer if you didn't have to???

As a new driver I have to chime in on this. I believe they are called extreme or gradual turns depending on which lane you are in. Based on that information alone why would you even consider making an extreme turn in a tractor pulling a 53 foot trailer if you didn't have to???

No idea what you mean by any of this.

Can you please provide further detail as it pertains to an intersection with two right turning lanes.

She means if you are making a turn, the inside lane is "extreme" as in a harder turn, whereas the outside lane is "gradual". basically she agrees that they easy turn would be the outermost lane.