Editing Intersection (road) (section)

=== Turn lanes ===
At intersections with large proportions of turning traffic, turn lanes (also known as '''turn bays''')<ref>{{cite web | url = https://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/pdfs/2009/part1.pdf | title = Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), Part 1 | publisher = [[United States Department of Transportation|U.S. DOT]], [[Federal Highway Administration]] | date = December 11, 2009 | access-date = November 28, 2011}}</ref> may be provided. For example, in the intersection shown in the diagram,{{clarify|reason=Not obvious which diagram this refers to - there isn't one nearby|date=August 2020}} left turn lanes are present in the right-left street.

Turn lanes allow vehicles,  to cross oncoming traffic (i.e., a left turn in right-side driving countries, or a right turn in left-side driving countries), or to exit a road without crossing traffic (i.e., a right turn in right-side driving countries, or a left turn in left-side driving countries). Absence of a turn lane does not normally indicate a prohibition of turns in that direction. Instead, traffic control signs are used to prohibit specific turns.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Traffic Signals Brochure - How is it Determined if a Traffic Signal is Needed? |url=https://www.roads.maryland.gov/Index.aspx?PageId=277 |publisher=Maryland State Highway Administration}}</ref>

Turn lanes can increase the capacity of an intersection or improve safety. Turn lanes can have a dramatic effect on the safety of a junction. In rural areas, crash frequency can be reduced by up to 48% if left turn lanes are provided on both main-road approaches at stop-controlled intersections. At signalized intersections, crashes can be reduced by 33%. Results are slightly lower in urban areas.<ref>D.W. Harwood, et al., ''Safety Effectiveness of Intersection Left- and Right-Turn Lanes'', Federal Highway Administration Office of Safety Research and Development, 2002, [http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/pubs/02089/02089techbrief.htm] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100326161435/http://www.tfhrc.gov/safety/pubs/02089/02089techbrief.htm|date=2010-03-26}}</ref>

Turn lanes are marked with an arrow bending into the direction of the turn which is to be made from that lane. Multi-headed arrows indicate that vehicle drivers may travel in any one of the directions pointed to by an arrow.