Exactly. But, now they are a "fixed obstacle" to anyone wanting to use that lane for a turn from *either* direction!
We have a lot of places where another "traffic control" (sign/light)
*should* be installed. But, the bean counters only act based on actual TALLYABLE *accidents*. So, all the "grief" a lack of control may cause doesn't count for anything.Our biggest "control" problem lies with the f*cked up way they redefined the intersections. When you approach an intersection, you encounter the Stop Line ("stop here"). Then, typically, a "cross walk" (domain of pedestrians). Then, some distance further afield the intersection *legally* begins.
For an interesting example:
(hopefully I've snipped the URL correctly for the satellite view) Note the distance (car lengths) between the stop line (first stripe across roadway), crosswalk (second and third stripes) and "wait" line (fourth stripe at the "curb extension" defining the intersection).
So, you end up with folks stopped *in* the crosswalk. Illegal to enter the intersection (which may *begin* 20 ft further down the road!) after the light changes -- but, you've already crept past the stop line in the hope of getting through the intersection on the preceding green/yellow (think: turns).
Folks don't know how to handle it when they find themselves trapped. So, you get folks trying to backup to creep back in front of the stop line, etc.
Morons in Feenigs who feel it is their moral duty to just keep (re)writing laws...
No, that was "done away with" (can't say "eliminated" cuz the lane is still
*there*, just no longer has that "feature!") about 10-12 years ago. Now the "center lane" is intended solely for traffic entering or exiting the respective lanes.It's still a source of confusion as many folks are intimidated by it.
Ditto the "lagging left".