You see a center lane on an Oregon road bordered on both sides by a solid yellow outer line and a broken yellow inner line, with left-turn arrows painted in both directions. How may you use this lane?
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A.
Drive in it as a third travel lane during light traffic.
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B.
Use it to pass slower vehicles in the right lane.
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C.
Enter just before turning left, wait for traffic to clear, then turn. Correct
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D.
Use it as an emergency stopping area.
The answer is "Enter just before turning left, wait for traffic to clear, then turn."
This is a two-way left turn lane (TWLTL). You enter it only just before making a left turn, wait there until oncoming traffic clears, then complete the turn. It is illegal to travel in a TWLTL as a through lane. If a TWLTL is provided, you must use it for the left turn rather than turning from any other lane.
The traps in the wrong answers
A. Drive in it as a third travel lane during light traffic.
The manual states it is illegal to travel in a two-way left turn lane. Misreading: Treats the TWLTL as a general travel lane; the manual states it is illegal to travel in a two-way left turn lane.
B. Use it to pass slower vehicles in the right lane.
The TWLTL is for left turns only, not for passing. Misreading: Treats the TWLTL as a passing lane; the manual reserves it for left turns and forbids traveling in it.
D. Use it as an emergency stopping area.
The lane is reserved for left-turn movements, not as an emergency shoulder. Misreading: Treats the TWLTL as an emergency shoulder; the manual reserves the lane for left-turn movements only.
This question tests your knowledge of Road Markings in Oregon. Source: Oregon Driver Manual, "Pavement Markings - Two-way special left turn lane," p.23..
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