Q & A From A Reader
I received an e-mail from a reader of this blog who raised some good points:
Q: noticed that i didn’t know what you meant when you said ‘median’ and thought it was a grassy area or something. what is it? also the person you were on the phone with during the video didn’t know either - so may be more better dramatic thing to say is that he’s parking in the middle of the street, in the turn lane.
A: For those reading this blog who are unfamiliar with the term “median lane”, it’s worth a refresher to look it up in the DMV’s “California Driver Handbook 2008”. According to the handbook, what I call a median lane is also known as:
CENTER LEFT TURN LANES
A center left turn lane is in the middle of a two-way street and is marked on both sides by two painted lines. The inner line is broken and the outer line is solid. If a street has a center left turn, you must use it when you turn left (VC §21460.5[c]) or start a permitted U-turn. You may only drive for 200 feet in the center left turn lane. This lane is not a regular traffic lane or a passing lane. To turn left from this lane, signal and drive completely inside the center left turn lane. Do not stop with the back of your vehicle blocking traffic. Make sure the lane is clear in both directions and then turn only when it is safe. Look for vehicles coming toward you in the same lane to start their left turn.
When turning left from a side street or driveway, signal and wait until it is safe. Then you may drive into the center left turn lane. Enter traffic only when it is safe. You may drive across a center left turn lane.
A median lane or “center turn lane” is basically the middle of the street. Parking there is a traffic hazard.
—
Source: ”California Driver Handbook 2008”, California Department of Motor Vehicles, pages 19-20.
