Let´s Look At Turning Right Now!

(Mirror Signal Position Speed Look)

Firstly you need to check your mirrors, 10 - 12 car lengths before the approaching junction.

In a separate action - You then signal 6 – 8 car lengths, again before the junction.

Let´s again look at this, stage by stage now!

Mirrors in pairs, so when turning right it’s the rear mirror first (true view behind) and then right door mirror. (TOM – Teenager On Moped)

Signal, (using the indicator to inform traffic of our intention of turning right)

Position: Depending on the width of the road, we need to move out towards the centre of the road. Look for the ‘white road marking’ or the seam of the tarmac to judge by glancing in you ‘TOM’ mirror.

Speed: We now need to slow down an appropriate speed or even stop for oncoming traffic! Remember we need to look into the new road and ‘Imagine’ that the white road marking – extends into our road – ‘This is where we need to stop the front / bonnet of the car’. This is our turning point. (If you are still unsure, just ask me at the start of our next lesson.)

Look into the new road, & gently turn into the new road, checking for pedestrians / traffic etc.

** Remember we spoke about the ‘Pedestrian Guide’** – (This will give you an idea of when we can decide if it is safe to turn into the new road)

As we complete the turn, we again check our rear mirror, to see if anything has followed us into the new road, and our F/O/S door mirror to see if anything is trying to overtake us. (TOM – Teenager on Moped) If we are still good, we can then consider increasing speed to match traffic in the new road!

Now Emerging Right

(Mirror Signal Position Speed Look)

We spoke about ‘Open / Closed’ junctions, and the need to identify early what type of junction we are approaching. For now – again let’s concentrate on ‘Closed Junctions’. With this type of junction – we need to approach the junction with a view to stopping. The first part of the manoeuvre is as above so I won’t go back over that now!

Mirror (then)

Signal

Position is next, remember we need to move towards the centre of the road (– exactly as the right turn!) We now need to consider:-

Speed that should be nice and easy, as we are going to stop; we don’t need to change down gear to do this, simply stop in the gear we are approaching the junction! (About 3 car length from the junction, you can dip your clutch pedal to the floor, to disengage the gears, and gently brake to a stop using your foot brake!) On this occasion, the steering wheel must remain straight, don’t be tempted to start turning right early – as discussed re accidents / road safety! With the car stationary – we will consider using the handbrake, and start:-

Looking right & left. Remember we also spoke about judging the speed of approaching cars, and why it is necessary to also look into the road we will be moving into! (Lot’s to take in here – but again, we will keep revisiting this) Selecting first gear, going back to our previous lesson (POM)

Prepare the car, and when happy to move off:-

Observation,

Move!

New road, again check rear mirror to see if anything has followed us into the new road. F/O/S mirror – anything overtaking, (TOM) and then increase speed to match traffic in the new road! (Relax – you’ve done it!)