A Michigan left is an automobile traffic maneuver in which a U-turn and a right turn replace a prohibited left turn. The term comes from the fact that the arrangement is quite common along Michigan roads and highways, and extremely rare anywhere else.

Michigan lefts occur at intersections where at least one road is a divided boulevard or highway. When left turns in the intersection are prohibited, drivers on major roads that cross the highway are instead directed to turn right. Within 1/4 mile, they go into a designated U-turn lane, and when traffic clears they complete the U-turn, and go back through the intersection.

Similarly, traffic on the highway does not turn left in the intersection. Instead, drivers overshoot the intersection, go into the U-turn lane, come back to the intersection and turn right.

The Michigan left was initially developed along Telegraph Road and 8 Mile Road in Detroit in the 1960s, with 700 similar intersections deployed throughout the state since then.

Advantages

  • Safety - eliminates many collisions in the intersection
  • Keeps traffic moving - prevents left turn lanes from backing up, may allow highway/boulevard to have a longer green

Disadvantages
  • Stressful - drivers must quickly move across several lanes of traffic either when getting into or out of the U-turn
  • Inconsistent - not all intersections use the system, so drivers approaching an unfamiliar intersection don't necessarily know whether to be in right or left lane
  • Startling - since the scheme is rare outside of Michigan, it is confusing to visitors
  • Complex - a left turn lane with an arrow is simpler

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