Special offer

In Sacramento, When Does Three Right Turns Equal One Left Turn?

By
Real Estate Agent with Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker DRE #00697006

active adult communitiesWhen 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 had a big glass window that overlooked the street, so they could see me coming.

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 -- just like I had seen people do in the movies -- stepped on the gas and plowed right into the car in front of me. Guess I didn't have it in reverse after all.

Hopefully, my driving has improved since then. But, I'm not getting any younger, dognabit. A couple days ago, I read an article in the Sacramento Bee about a man in his 80s who was involved in a tragic car accident that resulted in his wife's death. 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 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 web site to see if I could find 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, and if you made four right turns, you'd end up where you started. I suspect a driver would need to drive a block beyond one's destination and ultimately make five right turns. What do you think?

elizabeth weintraub sacramento real estate agent in land park

Photo: Big Stock Photo

 

Posted by

elizabeth weintraub

 

 

Weintraub and Wallace Realtors

 

 

Elizabeth Weintraub reviews

 

 

 

Elizabeth Weintraub is co-partner of Weintraub & Wallace Team of Top Producing Realtors, an author, home buying expert at The Balance, a Land Park resident, and a veteran real estate agent who specializes in older, classic homes in Land Park, Curtis Park, Midtown, Carmichael and East Sacramento, as well as tract homes in Elk Grove, Natomas, Roseville and Lincoln. Call Elizabeth Weintraub at 916.233.6759. Put our combined 80 years of real estate experience to work for you. Broker-Associate at RE/MAX Gold. DRE License # 00697006.

Photo: Unless otherwise noted in this blog, the photo is copyrighted by Big Stock Photo and used with permission.The views expressed herein are Weintraub's personal views and do not reflect the views of RE/MAX Gold. Disclaimer: If this post contains a listing, information is deemed reliable as of the date it was written. After that date, the listing may be sold, listed by another brokerage, canceled, pending or taken temporarily off the market, and the price could change without notice; it could blow up, explode or vanish. To find out the present status of any listing, please go to elizabethweintraub.com.

Comments (3)

Gary Woltal
Keller Williams Realty - Flower Mound, TX
Assoc. Broker Realtor SFR Dallas Ft. Worth

Elizabeth, once again you are one of the most smart ones out there. I learned a long time ago that left hand turns are VERY dangerous. In Washington D.C. they have a lot of no left turn signs and it is so annoying you do have to make three right hand turns to do a left. But it is safer.

Aug 29, 2008 10:11 AM
Elizabeth Weintraub Sacramento Broker
Elizabeth Anne Weintraub, Broker - Sacramento, CA
Put 40 years of experience to work for you

Oh, Gary, you make me blush. Actually, I had to think about the 3 right-hand turn thing for a while to figure out that the answer is you go one block beyond. Then it absolutely is three right-hand turns, heh, heh.

elizabeth weintraub sacramento real estate agent in land park

Aug 29, 2008 01:07 PM
Barbara S. Duncan
RE/MAX Advantage - Searcy, AR
GRI, e-PRO, Executive Broker, Searcy AR

Nice blog on driving!  It was fun and brought back memories.  I'd hate to ever have to teach another child to drive!

Aug 29, 2008 03:04 PM