Current Events > You're approaching a stoplight

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You're approaching a red light, and there are 3 lanes you can get in. The left lane is for left turns only. The middle and right lane go straight, which is the direction you need to go. The right lane ends 200 yards after the traffic light. There are currently six cars waiting for the light in the center lane, and zero in the right lane. As you approach the light, with no other cars close to you, which lane would you get in?

Edit. You're initially in the right lane, as you've turned right out of a shopping center shortly before. You have plenty of time and space to safely switch lanes, as no other traffic is approaching on your side of the road.

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if there's somebody behind me trying to make a right turn i'll get in the right lane even though i'm going straight trolololol

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Middle lane. Objectively the least chance of having an accident because you don't have to go back into the middle lane that will have cars behind you.
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You gauge how long it would take you to get into the right lane and then speed up slightly when it turns green as to not slow down the flow of traffic.

Or just remain patient and stay in the center. All of this depends on how good a driver you are so if youre trash just stay put.

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Traffic theory and to minimize traffic, the answer is right lane. However, socially the center lane, as some in the center lane may think you're trying to cut and not let you in or lead to road rage.

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The right lane then punching it at green to get in front of all the other people. Aint got no time for that.

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I might go right lane just because I can probably beat anyone else when the light turns green if I'm in a hurry.

Probably stay center lane if I'm not in a rush.

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Center. Knowing drivers in my town, nobody would be nice enough to let me merge in the first 200 yards.
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Middle lane, going into a lane that is about to end is just causing problems.

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Ilishe posted...

I might go right lane just because I can probably beat anyone else when the light turns green if I'm in a hurry.

There have been times when I put my turn signal on to change lanes and a driver in that lane will speed up to get past me.

There are some really bad and selfish drivers out there and it's not worth taking risks when you don't have to.
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Where I live, getting into the right lane might as well be the same as getting behind the six cars in the center, as they will be creeping forward before the light even turns green, and unless I force myself in, will never allow me to merge ahead of them.

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The right lane.

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charey posted...

Middle lane, going into a lane that is about to end is just causing problems.

200 yards is not "about to end." The lane is made to be used to reduce congestion. Obviously you should get over when you can, but refusing to use the lane at all makes congestion worse, slowing down traffic and ultimately making the road more dangerous.

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subjectively?

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Is the right lane also used for traffic turning right (i.e. there is not a dedicated right-turn lane)? If so, only a self-centered asshat uses that lane to go straight while the light is red even if it is technically legal. Otherwise it's fair game.

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Paragon21XX posted...

Is the right lane also used for traffic turning right (i.e. there is not a dedicated right-turn lane)? If so, only a self-centered asshat uses that lane to go straight while the light is red even if it is technically legal. Otherwise it's fair game.

There's a really big shoulder people could use to turn right, but it just goes into the same shopping center. You'd have passed a more efficient entrance already, for any of the stores or banks. Virtually the only reason to go right is if you left, but forgot something and had to go back.

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