Is a right turn into the left lane legal in NC? (DMV, law)

[NancyBikes]

When taking a right turn into a road with two lanes in each direction, is it legal to turn directly into the left lane? In my former state it was illegal, but I see it done here all the time.

[Hunter'sDad]

I was surprised at the prevalence of this too. I couldn't find anything on this in the NC Drivers manual, but the statutes (available here: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/enactedl...chapter_20.pdf) do specify:

§ 20-153. Turning at intersections.
(a) Right Turns. – Both the approach for a right turn and a right turn shall be made as close as practicable to the right-hand curb or edge of the roadway.

This to me clearly means that a right turn must be made into the right lane, unless there is an unusual situation like a double right turn.

[underPSI]

Originally Posted by NancyBikes

When taking a right turn into a road with two lanes in each direction, is it legal to turn directly into the left lane? In my former state it was illegal, but I see it done here all the time.

Actually it's not illegal here in NC in certain circumstances. I'm sure an officer could ticket for crossing a double-solid or failure to yield to right of way if it's a car that just blatantly wants to take the turn at an excessive speed and crosses into the oncoming lane. However, if it's a truck it's recommended to turn into the oncoming lane of the street the truck is turning on to. In the CDL manual is states to stay to the right side of the street the driver is currently on and not to "swing out".

go to pg.55.
http://www.ncdot.org/dmv/driver_serv.../CDLmanual.pdf

[CHTransplant]

For left turns, for example, the statute actually says:

The driver of a vehicle intending to turn left at any intersection shall approach the intersection in the extreme left-hand lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction of travel of that vehicle, and, after entering the intersection, the left turn shall be made so as to leave the intersection in a lane lawfully available to traffic moving in the direction upon the roadway being entered.

There's no restriction on which lane you complete the turn into.

[j7r6s]

Originally Posted by underPSI

Actually it's not illegal here in NC in certain circumstances. I'm sure an officer could ticket for crossing a double-solid or failure to yield to right of way if it's a car that just blatantly wants to take the turn at an excessive speed and crosses into the oncoming lane. However, if it's a truck it's recommended to turn into the oncoming lane of the street the truck is turning on to. In the CDL manual is states to stay to the right side of the street the driver is currently on and not to "swing out".

I could be mistaken, but I believe you're misinterpreting what the OP is asking. I believe she is asking about a situation where you're on a 2 lane road, turning/merging onto a 4 lane road. With the driver turning into the left hand lane instead of the right hand lane. No double solid lines or oncoming traffic comes into play. In the state where I learned to drive, it was called "changing lanes in an intersection", and was illegal.

[lovebrentwood]

You'll find such activities as not using turning signals and not stopping at stop signs are enforced far more often in other areas than they are in North Carolina, too.

[CHTransplant]

Originally Posted by lovebrentwood

You'll find such activities as not using turning signals and not stopping at stop signs are enforced far more often in other areas than they are in North Carolina, too.

Yeah, they don't enforce this one much either:

The driver of any vehicle upon a highway or public vehicular area before starting, stopping or turning from a direct line shall first see that such movement can be made in safety, and if any pedestrian may be affected by such movement shall give a clearly audible signal by sounding the horn.

Dang Southerners won't honk even when the law requires it!

[StoneOne]

This is the least of one's worries on NC roads. People's general inability to use turn signals in this part of the country is far more disconcerting.

[JohnNC]

No it is not legal, but people here do it all the time. I have almost been hit a number of times from people doing this!

John

[wheelsup]

So turn into the right lane and immediately throw on your turn signal and continue into the left lane. Problem solved!