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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Former Congressman won't be charged in pedestrian death ... Rain, snow move Jackson County away from drought ... Man arrested in connection with Murphy homicide ... Former Congressman won't be charged in pedestrian death ... Rain, snow move Jackson County away from drought ... Man arrested in connection with Murphy homicide ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Center turn lane isn't a personal expressway Comment By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil Posted Mar. 12, 2016 at 10:01 PM By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil Posted Mar. 12, 2016 at 10:01 PM » Social News I have a question about the center refuge/turn lane. If you pull out into that center lane to wait until your lane is clear, are you supposed to sit there, not moving until the lane is clear? Or can you actually drive in the center lane until it is clear? I suspect you are are supposed to sit there, but I have seen a lot of people driving in the lane, so I thought it was a good question to submit. —Praline M., Phoenix It was, Praline. Thanks. Not that you needed to ask, because it sounds like your suspicion of needing to stay put was right on the money. We will direct you to ORS 811.346, which concerns misuse of the special left turn lane, which is what you're speaking of. The law describes such lanes as a median lane marked for left turns by drivers traveling in opposite directions. According to the law, the misuse comes when drivers use the lane for "anything other than making a left turn either into or from the special left turn lane." Drivers turning into such a highway lane from an alley, driveway or other entrance are in violation if the driver does anything "other than stop in the lane and merge into traffic in the lane immediately to the right of the person's vehicle." So, ultimately, you can't use it to pass traffic or use it as a lane to get from one point to another. If you do and get caught, it's a class B traffic violation, or up to $260 in fines. —Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. To see a collection of columns, go to mailtribune.com/youasked . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil Posted Mar. 12, 2016 at 10:01 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501