Yield Signs

[spencgr]

This has bothered me for YEARS!! When you come off of the Dulles Toll Road (heading westbound) and then go north on Reston Parkway, there is a turn lane that turns into it's own drive lane. Technically, there is no merge necessary. Yet, there is a yield sign! Does that mean I am (legally) supposed to yield to people that will be coming into my lane? That doesn't sound right.....


(I've attached a picture to show what I mean...)

[ChristineVA]

Originally Posted by spencgr

This has bothered me for YEARS!! When you come off of the Dulles Toll Road (heading westbound) and then go north on Reston Parkway, there is a turn lane that turns into it's own drive lane. Technically, there is no merge necessary. Yet, there is a yield sign! Does that mean I am (legally) supposed to yield to people that will be coming into my lane? That doesn't sound right.....


(I've attached a picture to show what I mean...)

The only thing that I can think of as to why they would put a yield sign up for that is because they know that the drivers on Reston Parkway are going to immediately get over into that right lane (as another poster described above) and the Yield sign, to me, indicates that they have the right to do so over your right to be in that lane.

[Mishra100]

Originally Posted by cdmurphy

There's a yield sign at the Claiborne Parkway onramp because the lane isn't just a merge lane, it's also the exit lane for Claiborne Parkway. There isn't much distance there for people who have to get over to get off. You aren't just yielding to Route 7, you are yielding to people exiting Route 7.

Yup... In Louisville, I experienced the exact same thing except with much more volume. 1 highway to the next one.

40272 - Google Maps

And it worked out better than a yield sign because you didn't have some people stopping because they are unsure, some people going really slow, some people flying through it ignoring it, and other cases. People just merged...

[oneasterisk]

Originally Posted by ChristineVA

No, not in the situation you describe.

I know you don't live in Woodbridge, but we have two places where we have what you are discussing.

Driving west on Cardinal Drive and making the right onto Minnieville. You have a dedicated right turn lane that dumps into its own lane. Right next to it, there are two lanes of traffic oncoming with their own lanes. I do not have a yield sign but a diamond-shaped yellow sign that showes two lanes divided with arrows to indicate to the driver in the right (merging) lane, that they have their own lane. No yield sign there.

I know that turn you're speaking of, but some people still pause there. I think it's habit because that turn didn't always have a dedicated merge lane: Woodbridge, VA - Google Maps

Here's one from I95 to Duke Street near Landmark Mall. Who is suppose to yield? Those coming off I95, or those trying to get into the lane on the right...
landmark, va - Google Maps

[CAVA1990]

It is ridiculous how people turning left will immediately after they're through the intersection go across 3 or 4 lanes to get into the right lane. In my mind you should have to stay in the lane corresponding to the one you've turned from and then cross the lanes using your right turn signal only when the lane to the right is clear, just like any other lane change.

[dkf747]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

It is ridiculous how people turning left will immediately after they're through the intersection go across 3 or 4 lanes to get into the right lane. In my mind you should have to stay in the lane corresponding to the one you've turned from and then cross the lanes using your right turn signal only when the lane to the right is clear, just like any other lane change.

If I do that, the idiots behind me will turn into those lanes and prevent me from getting over safely. There are also many places where you have to make another turn right after the first turn.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by ChristineVA

The only thing that I can think of as to why they would put a yield sign up for that is because they know that the drivers on Reston Parkway are going to immediately get over into that right lane (as another poster described above) and the Yield sign, to me, indicates that they have the right to do so over your right to be in that lane.

While I agree with you, and follow the sign (yielding to the others), it still doesn't make any sense. I understand that many people might want to get into "my lane". But it goes against standard driving rules to give them the right of way. Furthermore, these drivers have no way of knowing they have the right of way (to blindly merge into the lane next to them), so I imagine many of them might yield. I can't imagine this situation is really safe.

[lqda4]

I know of two locations with strange signs.

1. Yield sign for RIGHT turning lane on FF county pkwy southbound at Stringfellow intersection. The sign does not sit right at intersection and could cause trouble for unfamiliar drivers. Technically, because of this yield sign, you are supposed to yield to opposite traffic making left turn when you are turning right into Stringfellow.

2. Stop sign on Walker Lane in Springfield. Sign is not a problem but idiotic drivers are. Traffic on 289 (Franconia Springfield pkwy) northbound is on 3 outer lanes. There are two additional lane which start from Walker lane for exiting traffic into the parkway. It's a stop sign with designated lanes, so once you stop, you go and get up to speed and merge into 3 outer lanes. But most drivers just sit there with line of cars behind them, waiting until there is absolutely no more traffic on the parkway before exiting. It's irritating and frustrating.