What are "turning lanes" used for?

Turning lanes are specifically designed areas on the roadway that facilitate drivers in making left or right turns at intersections. These lanes help manage traffic flow by allowing vehicles to decelerate and position themselves without disrupting the movement of straight-through traffic. By providing dedicated space for vehicles to turn, turning lanes enhance safety and efficiency at intersections, as they reduce the risk of collisions between turning and through vehicles.

Parking areas, pedestrian walkways, and lanes for slow-moving vehicles serve different purposes and are not intended for the specific action of making turns. Therefore, they do not fulfill the same critical function as turning lanes do in maintaining orderly traffic patterns and ensuring safer navigation at intersecting roads.