Crossroads are a common part of driving, as they can provide an intersection for motorists,
cyclists and pedestrians and can be found in many different situations.
We will see small crossroads in quiet residential areas and large multi-lane crossroads at busy
intersections, and since they can have many different layouts they could cause confusion
for inexperienced drivers.
In this video we will explain the different types of crossroads, and then show how to
approach and cross them safely.
If you have any questions about this video, please comment below and we will do our best
to reply.
We need to locate a crossroad junction as early as possible, so we can give ourselves
enough time to deal with it.
To do this we should always look as far ahead up the road as possible, so if we see a warning
or Give Way sign in the distance we know what to expect.
We might also spot traffic crossing our path or road markings which indicate a junction
could be ahead.
When driving on quiet residential streets, we should keep in mind that there is often
no warning of a crossroads junction - we might just find a give way line crossing our path!
There are many different types of crossroads, ranging from quiet unmarked crossroads in
rural areas, to larger crossroads with multiple lanes in each direction and traffic lights
to control the traffic flow.
The most common type of crossroad is the standard marked crossroads without traffic lights,
so we’ll look at this type first before looking at the other variations.
At a standard ‘marked’ crossroad there are usually Give Way lines marking the end
of the minor roads, to inform vehicles that they must give priority to traffic on the
major road.
When we are on the major road and driving straight ahead through the crossroad we have
the priority, but should watch out for emerging traffic in case they don't spot us approaching.
In urban areas there are often parked cars or other obstructions that reduce visibility
at junctions - which will of course prevent traffic in the side roads seeing us.
So when we are approaching a crossroad but the minor roads are not visible we will often
drive well below the speed limit in case of hidden danger.
When we need to turn left or right into the minor road at a crossroad we should treat
the junction the same as a normal left or right turn.
We always use the MSPSL routine (as shown in our other videos) as it gives us enough
time to complete all the tasks necessary before we reach the crossroad.
We have the priority over all traffic in the minor roads, but must Give Way to any oncoming
vehicles on the major road when turning right.
When approaching a crossroad from the minor road we will usually see road markings, but
not always a warning sign, as in this residential area.
This time we are turning right, so we use the MSPSL routine once more.
Once we see it’s safe, we turn right and enter the main road towards another crossroad.
This time we intend to drive straight ahead, and notice there is a Give Way sign as well
as the road markings this time.
There is no need to indicate, but we can signal to others with our road position so we angle
the car towards the road opposite.
We can see the white car is doing the same, so after looking left and right for traffic
on the major road we drive on.
When we need to turn left onto the main road we should follow the same technique as we
would normally use at a T-junction.
This time there are no vehicles waiting on the other side of the crossroad, but when
there is we will need to decide who goes first.
When using busy crossroads we will sometimes meet oncoming traffic coming out of the other
minor road.
There is no official recommendation in The Highway Code for who has priority in this
situation, so we will need to be careful.
We would suggest that if the oncoming vehicle reached the junction before us, then we would
allow them to go before us.
On the other hand, if we reached the junction first, then we would hope the other driver
would allow us to go first.
However, if only one car is prevented in pulling away by traffic on the main road then the
other car may take the opportunity to go while they can.
Also, other drivers can sometimes get impatient and push their way out, so we try to get eye
contact with the driver opposite as it helps understand each other's intentions.
Look at the positioning of other vehicles to help understand where they are going - even
if they have forgotten to indicate most drivers turn their steering towards their new road
so look at the other car’s front wheels to spot this.
In this case we can see the cyclist is clearly turning left, so we won’t get in each others
way.
Once there is no more traffic on the main road we continue across the crossroad.
When we wish to allow another driver to go first we generally stop our car just short
of the Give Way line and allow the other driver enough time to emerge safely.
Then, we would position our car in the normal position at the Give Way line and take our
turn to go.
We should not wave or flash our headlamps as it can cause other people to rush.
If the other driver misunderstands our wave or flash as a sign that it is safe to pull
away they might not check the major road for approaching traffic and put themselves in
danger.
Crossroads will sometimes have traffic lights to control the flow of vehicles and pedestrians.
These are often used in busy locations where the use of traffic lights and road markings
provide a safer and more efficient system to manage the traffic flow.
Although these crossroads provide the highest level of control for all, they do come with
their own hazards and dangers so we must pay attention as we approach this type of crossroad.
This time we intend to drive straight ahead, so we must look out for any signs or road
markings to ensure we use the correct lane.
We spot the white sign on the left and the arrows on the road, so we move over to the
centre lane.
If we should ever find ourselves in the wrong lane for our destination, and there isn’t
enough time to change to the correct lane - then the safest option is to follow the
lane we are in then turn around once it is safe to do so.
When the traffic light turns green we pull away, but still check for careless pedestrians,
cyclists or vehicles in case they are not obeying their traffic lights.
Next we need to turn right at the crossroad, and we spot there is a separate lane for this
purpose.
We move over to this lane, and stop behind the van.
When approaching green traffic lights we should be ready for the lights to change to amber,
and stop smoothly if it is safe to do so.
Unless it’s an emergency, don’t be tempted to stop suddenly for an amber traffic light
as it could surprise following traffic and cause danger.
At this junction the traffic lights control the traffic flow in each lane separately - and
after a short wait the green arrows allow the traffic to our left to drive straight
ahead, whilst the red light makes our lane wait.
Eventually the green arrow pointing to the right appears and we are free to go.
Even if we have to wait for our turn, the traffic lights make it much easier to cross
this junction.
Crossing this busy junction without their help would be much more difficult!
So, remember to; * Look out for signs to warn us of a crossroad
ahead * Turn left or right as at a normal junction
* Be careful when there is traffic opposite * Stay in the correct lane at large crossroads
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