A center lane between lanes of traffic traveling in opposite directions may be designated for:

• A. Left turns from either direction
• B. Through traffic only
• C. Parking
• D. U-turns only

Answer: (A)

That center lane between opposing traffic is a shared left-turn lane. Its purpose is to give drivers from either direction a safe place to prepare and wait to make a left turn into a cross street without holding up the through lanes. Because it’s specifically for left turns, it isn’t used for driving straight through, parking, or making U-turns (unless local rules explicitly allow it). When you’re approaching a left turn from either direction, you can use this lane to time your turn, but you must signal, yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians, and complete the turn into the cross street safely.