Three Right Hand Turns to Go Left in Sacramento

Why it can take three right hand turns to go left in Sacramento.

Even if it makes your head hurt to think about it, it is definitely true that you need to make three right hand turns to go left. I’m talking about driving, not politics. When I turned 18, I bought my first car: a 1960 Chevy station wagon for $75. All my friends were waiting in my apartment for me to pull up in front. My apartment featured a big glass window that overlooked the street, so they could see me coming from a ways.

I spied a bunch of smiling faces when my car turned the corner, but pretended I didn’t see them. I gently eased the car into a parking space in front of my apartment. Then, to show off my new-found sophistication, I decided to back up a little and straighten out the car. I casually threw my arm over the back seat, shifted into reverse, turned my head to look over my shoulder, flipping hair — just like I had seen people do in the movies — stepped on the gas and plowed directly into the car in front of me. It wasn’t in reverse. A bit early for three right hand turns to go left, but I’m getting there.

Hopefully, my driving has improved since then. But, I’m not getting any younger, dognabit. A while back I read an article in the Sacramento Bee about an elderly man who caused a horrific traffic accident.  The reporter mentioned a senior driving tip from the Department of Motor Vehicles: don’t make any left-hand turns. He explained that senior drivers should turn right three times (go around the block) instead of turning left because it’s those left-hand turns that cause accidents.

I don’t know about you, but I have always had a hard time rubbing my belly in circles and patting my head with my other hand. I imagine that this could be related to figuring out that oncoming traffic won’t wait for you if you’re turning left. It might make sense to make three right hand turns to go left.

It made me think about the time my mother rented a car for me because I didn’t have a credit card. The rental company insisted she drive the car off the lot. My mother was a fairly good driver, and must have been around 40 at the time. She drove to the stoplight to make a left-hand turn. Soon as the light turned green, she stepped on the gas, totally oblivious to the fact that oncoming traffic was headed straight for us. I screeched and fell to the floor. My mom slammed on the brakes.

She wasn’t pleased that I was laughing my fool head off afterwards as she handed me the keys. By the time my mom reached her 60s, she quit driving. I wonder how many other drivers have problems making left-hand turns? Is that why there are wide streets and very few stop signs in Active Adult communities?

I went to the Department of Motor Vehicle’s website to look for that senior driving tip. It was loaded with spiffy tips such as put a pillow under you if you can’t see over the steering wheel, make sure your foot can depress the brake, and practice looking around you at all times. I hope nobody does all those three things at once. I couldn’t find that “three right-turns equal one left turn” tip. But it makes sense. Until I drew it on a piece of paper. You’d end up one block away with three right turns to go left unless you drove a block first.