Left turn question
 

We know that the MVA says that when making a turn you must turn into the first lane. If the first lane is backed up to the intersection, may the turning vehicles enter the next lane as it's the first available lane?

Google Maps

Here's an example - the camera is looking South on Blanshard. Lanes are numbered left to right.

Lane #1 (where the yellow truck is pictured) is backed up to the intersection due to cars waiting to turn left at the next intersection. Lane #2 and #3 are both clear.

Can cars travelling West on Pandora turning South onto Blanshard make that turn into lane 2 or 3 when #1 is backed up to the intersection?


I'm asking as I was the last car in lane #1 and watched several cars turn left from Pandora into lanes 2 and 3 of Blanshard, followed by a police officer in a marked car who didn't seem too upset at the turning cars.

Thanks.

You should technically wait until the lane is clear, otherwise you will be changing lanes in an intersection. It's all discretion when it comes to who and when someone gets ticketed.

Generally the police use common sense too. If they see that you had no way of getting into Lane #1 then they'll be fine with it.

But again, technically you should wait. But nobody does..lol

if the lane is blocked by traffic, then the lane isn't "available" is it?