Dear Editor,
Re: Rid Okotoks of ambiguous intersections, June 18
Please just leave the intersections as they are. They have functioned fine for many years and it allows for some flexibility depending on traffic.
In general, the right lane should be open for those turning right, but it should be left to drivers' judgement depending on specific intersections or traffic. One lane intersections should be straight through and left turning on the left side, and right turns only on the right.
Even when wide enough for two lanes, it is still considered one lane to go straight through, with the right side being for right turns.
The new markings at Southridge Drive and Woodhaven Drive should have been marked with the straight and left turn together, leaving the right lane open for right turns only, as this is not a true driving lane.
The way it is marked now, everyone turning right is blocked by one car travelling straight, which also has to veer out of the way now to go through the intersection.
The intersection coming out of Costco is another one that creates a backlog of traffic when one person travels straight, and especially in the winter it can be difficult to get started on that hill when it is icy.
In the majority of cases, the right lane should be for right turns only to keep the flow of traffic moving. The dual lane intersections should be left open for either, but general courtesy is to leave the right lane open for right turns.
Cassandra Hanhart
Okotoks
