Bad thing to try to do from the middle lane

TURN

["Think of what you might attempt at an intersection that’s much safer from the outer lanes—especially when you’re not in the right position."]

This clue plays on a common driving mistake—trying to make a turn from the middle lane instead of the correct outer lane. The word "bad" hints that it’s the wrong move, while "middle lane" sets up the scenario where you shouldn’t attempt it. The answer "TURN" fits because it’s both the action you’re doing poorly and the straightforward solution to the clue’s riddle. It’s a simple but clever way to blend real-world logic with crossword wordplay.