Double turn lanes might be handy, but they come at a price

“It used to be that we had a single right-turn lane off northbound U.S. Highway 95 to Ann Road,” a resident of the neighborhood told me. “Now, we have a double-right-turn exit. And I hate it because you can’t make a right turn on red anymore. The traffic backs up so far onto the ramp at rush hour that it takes at least three traffic light cycles to make the turn.”

As traffic increases in our valley, engineers must come up with new ways to improve the flow. Building two lanes for turning traffic was one of the solutions we’ve been seeing more and more.

In theory, it’s a good idea because twice as many cars can make the turn in a single cycle.

But here’s where it fails. At times when traffic is light and a motorist exits the freeway to the two-lane turn, the driver must wait for a green light because engineers added a “No turn on red” sign with that second lane.

In some locations, motorists commonly ignore the right-on-red prohibition.

On westbound Flamingo Road at Interstate 15, for example, tourists routinely enter those two right lanes with the intention of turning right and getting on the northbound freeway entrance ramp.

The right-turn-on-red prohibition is justified there because the two-lane freeway entrance from eastbound Flamingo has two left-turn lanes, and a motorist making a right turn might not see the oncoming traffic.

I asked county and state officials for the reasoning behind prohibiting a right turn on red in those circumstances and received the answer I was expecting: It’s a safety hazard.

Maybe the left-side lane is shared with other traffic. Maybe traffic engineers have no confidence that a right-turning car will stay within its lane for the duration of the turn.

Whatever the reason, the solution is banning a fairly simple turn maneuver.

Nevada isn’t the first state to address high traffic volumes by adding turn lanes.

But something I’ve seen in other places is special signage that specifically allows right turns on red from the right lane but prohibits them from the left right-turn lane.

Is that something that should be tried here? Would the accident reports pile up in a never-ending in-box?

What do you think, readers?

FLASHING YELLOW ARROWS

So you’ve read my rant on double right turns. Warrior reader Bill has similar frustrations on dual left-turn lanes into the Sunset Station casino complex in Henderson:

“Will you please ask Henderson traffic engineers to take a look at the westbound left turns into Sunset Station from Sunset Road? It is screaming for a flashing caution at both entrances, just like the ones at the exits from Sunset Station, however short they may be.”

City officials in Henderson say regional policies prohibit those arrows there.

“Unfortunately the regional policy on left turns at traffic signals does not allow for a flashing yellow arrow (the protected-permissive mode) on dual left-turn lanes,” said Henderson spokesman Keith Paul.

“So the city will not be able to consider flashing arrows for the left turns off Sunset onto the Sunset Station property,” he said. “While there has been some discussion to allow flashing yellow left-turn arrows in some circumstances, it has not moved beyond the discussion phase, and the Sunset turn into Sunset Station property would not be a good candidate because of speeds on the roadway and traffic volume.”

YO HABLO RUSSIAN

In Southern Nevada, it isn’t uncommon for an individual who speaks Spanish to seek a driver’s license. But Warrior reader Keith had this inquiry:

“I have a friend who speaks fluent Russian who wants to take a driving test. She’s learning English but would prefer to have a Russian interpreter help her with some of the words she doesn’t understand.”

If you’re a little suspicious like I was, you’re probably thinking, “Hmm, does that mean an interpreter could provide some of the test answers?”

Are there tests available in Spanish, French, Russian, Tuscarora?

Actually, according to Kevin Malone of the Nevada Motor Vehicles Department, written tests are only available in English and Spanish.

“Those who speak other languages can use a court-certified interpreter or one that is approved by various agencies,” Malone explained.

DMV drive examiners are experienced in administering tests to people from all over the world, he said. They typically use hand signals to point out the route. Drivers hopefully know most basic commands in English.

An applicant who has a lack of English or Spanish language skills may use an interpreter during a written examination for a driver’s license, driver authorization card or instruction permit.

“Interpreters must attest that they are approved by a governmental agency, court, educational institution or nonprofit advocacy group by presenting a letter from the approving agency and completing an affidavit of oath for interpreters form at the DMV office,” he said.

The applicant must bear any cost of the interpreter’s services. Interpreters may not provide services for family members, and the department does not allow interpreters to be present during any drive test.

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