This happens all the time.
Thanks you for addressing this issue.

This is a problem at various 'right/left turn only' spots. Essex St at Summer is full of people scooting up the line to try and cut into the traffic going straight. Same thing at Canal going onto Washington....people sit in the left turn only and then go straight, often sitting there holding up the entire line of cars trying to turn left. Honestly, traffic/parking dept here is a joke. They have cameras at these new intersections. They could be red light cameras. That would stop all of this. Not ONCE in 20 years here have I seen a cop posted at those intersections pulling people over.

All our comment said was 'It happens all the time, & a thanks to the issue being posted."
Why a rejection?! Really?!
The Salem Concerned Citizen comment had much more to say.

I agree that this is a big problem. it's annoying and it is very dangerous. SalemConcernedCitizen also points out some other situations I experience on a regular basis. In general, I am shocked by the appalling standards of driving in MA and the complete lack of enforcement.

The problem is a result of a failed design. People have to cut into different lanes because between Margin and Washington it goes from 2 lanes to 3. If your not familiar with the design how would you know if you should be in the left or right lane as you approach Washington. As for this intersection, the police ticket people on a regular basis for blocking the intersection which is unfair when the problem is the design

I appreciate John's point, signage would certainly help to prevent those accidentally ending up in the wrong lane, and I agree that it is currently very easy for his to happen. But if you are in a right turn only lane then you should turn right and then take steps to find your way back to where you want to go. It's dangerous to do otherwise. Unfortunately, I am also not convinced that all of the people going straight ahead in the right turn only lane are in this situation. I think that some just do this as a matter of course because they consider it a way to get ahead of the line going straight ahead. Signs would help but so too would enforcement.

As you come down Norman from Holyoke there are 2 lanes. If you plan on going left you are probably going to stay in the left lane. Likewise for taking a right. So if you plan on going straight, which lane are you suppose to be in that will not result in cutting into a different lane? Ridiculously poor design. So typical in Salem.

Why is comment blocked? The above say far more than the 'I agree' which we posted.
It is a common problem, which we've experienced - & then supported the original posting.
Can we not say we agree?

Agreed.

Let the guy speak.

I was looking at this intersection and i agree with all the comments about cutting over from the right hand lane to the middle lane that goes straight. i have seen this happen numerous times myself. Short term solution would be to have the left hand lane have a straight arrow as well as a left hand turn arrow. The road way on Norman street would have to have arrows signifying which lane to be in. The lane markings should start by the post office. This would give drivers enough warning to get into the right lane. City Electrician John Giardi

Thank you!

Mayor's Office assigned this issue to Display Name Blocked (1500677)

How about arrow signage strung up by the lights and overhead so drivers can see which lane goes where they want to be? Arrows painted on the roadway are useless when there is a lot of traffic because you can’t see them until you are on them.

Mayor's Office assigned this issue to Traffic & Parking

Department of Public Services assigned this issue to Traffic & Parking

The City of Salem had been selected as one of three communities that will receive road striping and signage improvements through MassDOT's Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). The work, which is currently being scheduled to occur Spring/Summer 2019 will include improvements on the following roadways:
- Norman Street from Summer to Washington
- North Street from Franklin to Norman
- Washington Street from Mill to Bridge