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Question

Difficulty: MediumSpace for Turns

A commercial driver operating a combination vehicle approaches a signalized intersection configured with two designated left-turn lanes. According to commercial vehicle space management rules, which lane should the driver select to execute the turn, and why?

  1. A
    The left-hand (inside) turn lane, because taking the tighter radius minimizes intersection transit time and eliminates trailer off-tracking.
  2. The right-hand (outside) turn lane, because it accommodates trailer off-tracking safely and keeps adjacent vehicles visible on the driver's left side.Answer
  3. C
    The left-hand (inside) turn lane, because swinging wide to the right before initiating the turn ensures trailing vehicles stay behind the trailer.
  4. D
    Either turn lane equally, because oncoming and adjacent traffic are legally required to yield to large commercial vehicles executing wide turns.

Answer

The driver should select the right-hand (outside) left-turn lane because it accommodates trailer off-tracking without encroaching into adjacent lanes and keeps other turning vehicles on the driver's left side where they are easily visible.
When an intersection has two left-turn lanes, commercial drivers must always use the right-hand (outside) left-turn lane. This position accommodates trailer off-tracking within the turn and ensures that adjacent turning vehicles stay on the driver's left side, where mirror visibility is best.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the vehicle's turning dynamics and off-tracking characteristics.
Identify that the rear wheels of a combination vehicle follow a shorter path than the front steering wheels, cutting inward toward the curb or adjacent lane during a turn.
Off-tracking requires extra road space on the inside of the turn path to prevent trailer tires from hitting curbs or sideswiping vehicles.
2
Evaluate lane positioning options at an intersection with dual left-turn lanes.
Determine that starting in the right-hand (outside) left-turn lane allows the trailer to off-track safely within the turning corridor without swinging into another lane.
If a driver starts in the inside lane, off-tracking or wide steering will force the vehicle into the right turn lane, where adjacent traffic is difficult to see in mirrors.

Key Concept

Dual left-turn lane selection and off-tracking space management
Estimated Time:1m 0s
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Topics

Space for Turns

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