What is a Michigan Left? Here's what to know, and why it exists
Eric D. LawrenceFirst-time visitors to Michigan might be wondering any number of things, from why do I keep seeing all these references to Coney Island to exactly how many flavors does Faygo make?
They might also be wondering why they’re told not to turn left at some busy intersections as they drive around metro Detroit and other parts of the state. In other words, they might be wondering about the Michigan Left.
What is a Michigan Left?
We’ll rely on the Michigan Department of Transportation for the most definitive answers to our Michigan Left questions. Here’s MDOT’s definition:
“Michigan Lefts, also referred to as indirect left turns, are a common type of turn that have been part of Michigan’s road system since the late 1960s. Intersections that have Michigan Lefts do not allow traditional left-turn movements. Instead, to turn left, a person must drive straight through the intersection or turn right, then make a U-turn at a median crossover.”
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Why would I turn right to make a left-hand turn?
Safety is the word. Michigan Lefts redirect traffic to cut down on left turns across oncoming traffic, which tend to increase the risk of a serious crash. According to MDOT, about 30% of all crashes in Michigan occur at intersections and almost 58% of those are head-on left-turn and angle crashes. “In addition, roughly 30% of all Michigan fatal crashes occur at intersections.”
Why is a specific location picked for a Michigan Left?
MDOT cites crash history, the type of road and traffic volumes. “Michigan Lefts are most often used in urban situations where congestion and crashes are more common. Indirect left turns can be built on divided roads with any number of lanes … but they are not used on freeways or limited-access roads.”
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Should I pull behind or beside the vehicle ahead of me at a Michigan Left?
That depends on how many lanes you see. A single-lane Michigan Left isn’t meant to accommodate more than a single lane of traffic, according to MDOT. The extra space you sometimes see is for trucks and large vehicles that need additional room to make the turn. Sometimes a Michigan Left is paired with a loon, an extension of the roadway across from the turn area, so big trucks can make the U-turn without rolling up on a sidewalk. There are multilane Michigan Lefts, but they include clearly marked lanes, not just more space.
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What about bicyclists?
MDOT says bicyclists have options here. “Bicyclists can use a Michigan Left as a pedestrian, dismounting the bicycle and crossing in the pedestrian area, or as a bicyclist, riding through the Michigan Left and using the designated median crossover to navigate a U-turn.”
If you want more information about Michigan Lefts, MDOT has a brochure posted here.
By the way, we did a quick check of the Faygo website, and it says there are more than 50 flavors. Hey, editors, maybe it’s time for a taste test.
Contact Eric D. Lawrence: elawrence@freepress.com. Become a subscriber. Submit a letter to the editor at freep.com/letters.