When making a left turn into a gas station, when should you move to the left side of the road?

When making a left turn into a gas station, it is essential to move to the left side of the road in a timely and safe manner to ensure clear communication of your intended action to other road users. By doing this about 30 meters before making the turn, you provide sufficient time for other drivers to see your intention and adjust their speed or positions accordingly. This distance gives you enough time to check your surroundings for pedestrians, cyclists, and oncoming vehicles, ensuring a smooth and safe maneuver.

Moving to the left too late, such as just before the turn, may not give other drivers enough notice of your actions, potentially causing confusion or leading to unsafe situations. Similarly, while signaling your intention to turn is mandatory, it should ideally happen in conjunction with moving over to the left side, rather than as the sole determinant for positioning your vehicle. The option to move at any point while approaching can lead to abrupt changes in your path that might not be understood by others on the road. Thus, the practice of transitioning to the left lane well in advance of the turn helps maintain overall road safety and traffic flow.