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Two-Way Left Turn Lane in Kentucky

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  • 06-22-2011, 12:35 AM
    tjstro3
    Two-Way Left Turn Lane in Kentucky
    Yesterday I was preparing to turn left out of my driveway (parking lot) into a 3 lane road with the center lane being a two-way left turn lane. Due to traffic cause by a red light, the lane nearest to me halted to allow me to proceed with my left turn. I looked at the other two lanes to see if they were clear and at the moment they seemed to be. As I crossed the first lane and got to the second lane I was basically broadsided by a car flying up the center two-way left turn lane. Due to this situation I am curious as to the laws regarding the two-way left turn lane in Kentucky, such as how long you can drive in it before your turn, etc. Any responses will be appreciated.

    Also forgot to add that I have 2 witnesses of the accident and the seemingly excessive speed of the car. Any legal advice and opinions on who is at fault will also be greatly appreciated.
  • 06-23-2011, 09:12 AM
    Mr. Knowitall
    Re: Two-Way Left Turn Lane in Kentucky
    So far, it sounds like the accident was your fault.

    Why didn't you see the oncoming vehicle? How far was that vehicle from the point at which it was going to turn left?

    Did the officers who responded to the accident find fault on the part of the other driver? Issue a ticket? For what?
    Quote:

    Quoting KRS 189.340 Overtaking vehicles -- Traffic lanes -- Following vehicles.
    (1) Vehicles overtaking other vehicles proceeding in the same direction shall pass to the left of them and shall not again drive to the right until reasonably clear of those vehicles. Vehicles overtaking streetcars may pass either to the right or left when so directed by a police officer, when on a one (1) way street or where the location of the tracks prevents compliance with this section, with regard for other traffic.

    (2) The operator of a vehicle may overtake and pass upon the right of another vehicle only under the following conditions:
    (a) When the vehicle overtaken is making or about to make a left turn;

    (b) Upon a roadway with unobstructed pavement of sufficient width for two (2) or more lines of vehicles moving lawfully in the direction being traveled by the overtaking vehicle.
    (3) The operator of a vehicle may overtake and pass another vehicle upon the right only under conditions permitting such movements in safety. Such movement shall not be made by driving off the roadway unless passing vehicle comes to a complete stop and such movement may be made safely.

    (4) No vehicle shall be driven to the left side of the center of the roadway in overtaking and passing another vehicle proceeding in the same direction unless the left side is clearly visible and free of oncoming traffic for a sufficient distance ahead to permit overtaking and passing to be completely made without interfering with the safe operation of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction or any vehicle overtaken. In every event, the overtaking vehicle must return to the right-hand side of the roadway before coming within two hundred (200) feet of any vehicle approaching from the opposite direction.

    (5) The commissioner of highways is hereby authorized to determine those portions of any highway where overtaking and passing or driving to the left of the roadway would be especially hazardous and may by appropriate signs or markings on the roadway indicate the beginning and end of such zones, and when such signs or markings are in place and clearly visible to an ordinarily observant person, every driver of a vehicle shall obey the directions thereof.

    (6) Whenever any roadway has been divided into three (3) clearly marked lanes for travel, the following additional rules shall apply:
    (a) A vehicle shall be driven as nearly as may be practical entirely within a single lane and shall not be moved from that lane until the driver has first ascertained that the movement can be made with safety;

    (b) A vehicle shall not be driven in the center lane except when overtaking and passing another vehicle where the roadway is clearly visible and the center lane is clear of traffic within a safe distance, or in preparation for a left turn or where a center lane is at the time allocated exclusively to traffic moving in the direction in which the vehicle is proceeding and is signposted to give notice of the allocation; and

    (c) Official signs may be erected directing slow-moving traffic to use a designated lane or allocating specified lanes to traffic moving in the same direction and operators of vehicles shall obey the directions of such signs.
    (7) A vehicle shall not be driven in the left lane of any limited access highway of four (4) lanes or more with a posted speed limit of at least sixty-five (65) miles per hour, except in overtaking a slower vehicle, yielding to traffic coming onto such a highway, or when traffic conditions exist which would prohibit safe use of the right or center lanes.

    (8)
    (a) The operator of a motor vehicle shall not follow another vehicle more closely than is reasonable and prudent, having regard for the speed of the vehicle and the traffic upon and condition of the highway.

    (b) The operator of any motor truck, semitrailer truck, bus, or heavy construction equipment unit, when traveling upon a highway outside of a business or residential district, shall not follow within two hundred fifty (250) feet of another such vehicle or equipment unit. This subsection shall not prevent overtaking and passing, nor shall it apply to any lane specially designated for use of motor trucks or semitrailer trucks, buses or heavy construction equipment units.

  • 06-23-2011, 12:08 PM
    blewis
    Re: Two-Way Left Turn Lane in Kentucky
    KRS 189.330 (11) might be more applicable:

    Quote:

    Quoting KRS 189.330
    (11) On highways with a center lane restricted for left turns off the highway by vehicles proceeding in both directions:
    (a) A left turn shall not be made from any other lane; and
    (b) A vehicle shall not be driven in a center lane as described in this subsection except when preparing for or making a left turn off the highway or merging onto the highway after making a left turn from a side road or other entrance.

    But, Mr. KIA is right, since paragraph (10) pretty much puts you at fault:

    Quote:

    Quoting KRS 189.330
    (10) The operator of a vehicle about to enter or cross a roadway from any place other than another roadway shall yield the right-of-way to all vehicles approaching on the roadway to be entered or crossed.

    I don't have any direct knowledge of KY, but our laws in WA are almost identical (except our laws put a maximum distance of 300 feet in the center lane). They are interpreted as follows: If you are required to yield the right-of-way and you proceed and there is a subsequent accident, YOU are at fault. Some states, I think IL is one, have provisions to transfer fault to the other driver IF that driver is speeding. But, I do not see any such provision in KY.

    Barry
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