![Maine Drivers Constantly Forget This Rule of the Road When Turning](http://townsquare.media/site/696/files/2023/12/attachment-Turning-Featured-Image.jpg?w=980&q=75)
Maine Drivers Constantly Forget This Rule of the Road When Turning
As someone who drives a lot in Portland and other cities in Maine with streets that have multiple lanes traveling in the same direction, I've seen some really bad drivers who don't know how to handle them. If any of them went to driving school when they were younger, they should know this common sense rule.
I've had some close calls over the years, like almost getting sideswiped because someone didn't know what to do at an intersection where I am turning right at the light and a person on the other side is turning left. We're both entering a four-lane road with two travel lanes on each side of the center line, but both headed into the same lane because the other driver doesn't know what to do.
Maine, and pretty much every state in the country, has a rule that should prevent this from happening. The State of Maine Motorist Handbook and Study Guide says:
"Turn into the lane that is closest to the lane from which you came." On a left turn, turn into the leftmost lane going in your direction, whether on a divided highway, two-way, or one-way street. On a right turn, turn into the right lane.
This rule is ignored often at the intersection of Forest Avenue with Preble and Falmouth streets. I turn right off Preble daily here on my way home, and go into the right lane as I should, but the person on the other side of the intersection is going for the right lane too.
This is how it should be done:
Once you're in the closest lane, if you want to switch lanes and can safely do so, go for it. The basic rule when turning is to cross as few lanes as possible.
25 Celebrities Who Have Owned Homes In Maine
Gallery Credit: Joey
LOOK: Here Are 30 Foods That Are Poisonous to Dogs
Gallery Credit: Rachel Cavanaugh
More From WSHK-WSAK 102.1 & 105.3 The Shark
![Now What Tommy? Brady as NFL Lead Analyst on Fox Begins When?](http://townsquare.media/site/701/files/2022/05/attachment-GettyImages-1366637732-e1652209607490.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Reboot of the Classic Sitcom ‘Frasier’ Will Be Set in New England](http://townsquare.media/site/699/files/2023/02/attachment-GettyImages-1309914.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![This Week Only: Beach Party at New Hampshire Brewery Includes Indoor Beach and Warm Heat](http://townsquare.media/site/701/files/2023/01/attachment-beach.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![AMAZING VIDEO: Lawrence Man Runs Across Four Lanes of Traffic to Help Driver on I-93](http://townsquare.media/site/699/files/2023/02/attachment-IMG_1513.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Here’s 88+ Reasons to Come to Portland on Tap on Saturday, February 4](http://townsquare.media/site/696/files/2023/02/attachment-IMG_8435-e1579203252687.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Should New England Patriots Fans Care That Tom Brady Retired Again?](http://townsquare.media/site/696/files/2023/02/attachment-Tom-Brady-7.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![People Are Dying to Get Their Hands on a ‘Gently Used’ Casket for Sale in Maine](http://townsquare.media/site/698/files/2023/01/attachment-Untitled-design-59.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Study Suggests New England is by Far the Best Region to Have a Baby](http://townsquare.media/site/698/files/2023/01/attachment-RS50275_GettyImages-889451116-scr.jpg?w=980&q=75)
![Here’s How to Win Tickets to See Chicago at the Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion](http://townsquare.media/site/697/files/2023/02/attachment-GettyImages-1359264535.jpg?w=980&q=75)