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Turning Left Off Orange - Is There a U-Turn Lane & Left Turn Lane?

You learn something new every day. I was previously unaware of an apparently common practice by residents, but please keep in mind I've only been a resident for two years (August) so this is news to me. While driving home this evening on our way home from dinner, my wife & I are driving down Orange and attempt to turn left on 9th. As folks often do when also making left turns off Orange, they pull up behind or to the side of you, waiting for their turn to make a left.

In this case, however, the individual driving an SUV pulls to our side, and since he's in a tall SUV and we're in a small crossover, we can no longer see down Orange for opposite traffic, and a chance to cross. He (now having full view) crosses over Orange in front of us.

In as amicable and non-confrontational approach as I can muster, I inquire with the driver (who has pulled into Vons as we were planning to) how he had the right of way, as we were clearly in front of him.

He responds politely and explains that it is common knowledge, for residents making left turns off Orange, that there are 2 lanes. One (in the middle) is for folks making u-turns, the right (curb side) is for left turns.

I learned something new, as we (arguably) were in the middle, not cognizant of the informal distinction (but commonly known) between the alleged u-turn and left turn lanes present in each median.

I hope this is helpful to other fellow newbies to Coronado! I have never before been overpassed for making a left turn, but happily and gladly accept it if this is indeed the accepted practice :-)

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Editor's Note: We went down to the corner of 9th and Orange and captured this video on July 18th, 2012 at 2pm. Within 5 minutes, we captured a visual of what Roger was describing. What's your view? Please leave your comments below:

Tags: community

1 member likes this

Comment by Michael Vaughan on July 23, 2012 at 11:14am: This video shows another phenomenon that makes me even crazier than the "sneak by on the right" folks, and that's the hesitant left-turning (from Orange left to 9th) driver who sits in the median and blocks up the intersection while letting many cross-able traffic breaks go by before venturing, ever so tentatively, out to cross in front of oncoming traffic and clear the lane behind him/her. I remember my CHS Driver's Ed (YES, they had that when I went there) teacher reminding me that I had a whole bunch of horses under my hood and that occasionally I could use them (when appropriate, of course)......And another one I saw last week...the guy who is crossing Orange on 8th or 9th from the north (church) side and takes a position behind a car already waiting in the median break so he can turn left, thereby blocking the left northbound lane (towards the Ferry Landing) of Orange until the crossing traffic on the other side of Orange (going towards the hotel) sorts itself out. Clearly no longer legal to take a position where an intersection will be blocked.

Comment by Peggy McCloskey on July 23, 2012 at 1:06pm: There is no "local rule", there are only state & federal laws governing vehicular traffic. If you turn across a car from its right while both are in the intersection, you will be found at fault.

Comment by carolyn moorhouse on July 23, 2012 at 1:36pm: we have been here all our lives----don't turn at 9th--not safe!!

Comment by Erin Grady Brown on July 23, 2012 at 7:09pm: I would just like to point out that the person isn't "on the left" until someone pulls up next to them. Until that time, they are properly in the center of the single lane. Once you pull up next to them, you are infringing on their space (and we all do it, because it makes sense) and you need to respect the fact that they were there first and you just need to hold tight until they do whatever they are going to do. That video makes me SO angry to watch! This is why I always cross at the lights in the summer, even though it can be annoying.

Comment by Kkimmich on July 24, 2012 at 9:52am: The problem with this particular intersection is the FACT that it's so darn confusing! Add to that to tourist, a busy intersection in the heart of town, pedestrians EVERYWHERE, people in a hurry on Orange (they get irritated that the left lane gets backed up when cars are turning left on 9th.) and it becomes a total zoo. This area is a hot mess!

Comment by Lisa Strong on August 2, 2012 at 2:44pm: I agree with Mayor Tanaka. The first one there should go first and you should hold back so he/she can see around your vehicle. Doesn't hurt to be kind--especially on our roadways during tourist season. Safe driving to all!