Left from Right

Worcester streets have some uniquely obtuse traffic patterns that cause chronic puzzlement for unwary drivers, especially if they're from other parts of the country.

For instance, there's the bottom of Lincoln Street. When you're coming inbound, and also if you're coming off of the distressway, you get two lanes going in to the Concord Street traffic light. If you're in the left lane, however, there's no lane markings to warn you of what's ahead after the light. The light turns green, you come around the corner, and suddenly you're forced to go left onto Belmont Street, whether you like it or not.

My particular favorite, though, is the "Left Turn Allowed From Right Lane To Murray Ave" sign on Irving Street at the Chandler Street traffic light.


This is a really tough one to figure, because only the drivers in the right lane can see this sign.

If you're in the left lane, there's no warning that your left turn is going to be a two lane situation.

Almost every time that I use this special rule to get to Murray Ave from Irving via the right lane, I keep an eye out for tenderfoot, skittish, and easily enroadraged drivers in the left lane.

There are quite a few, and I certainly can't blame them for any negative reactions they might have when they discover a taxi appearing to be sneaking around their blind side like that.

How are they supposed to know that I'm doing a perfectly legal maneuver?