Hello I'm Chris. Today I'm going to show you how to emerge left out of a minor road
onto a major road.
[Music]
I'll also show you how to turn left from a major road into a minor road. [Music]
I'll be giving you some tips along the way to help you be a safe driver and cut down the
amount of information your instructor will need to tell you which will save you time and money.
I'm turning left at the end of this road. On the approach you'll see another road
going across at the end. It's called a T-junction as it's shaped like a letter T.
This is where a minor road joins a major road. I can see some hazard warning lines in the
centre of the road, this time warning me that I'm coming up to a junction.
Although there isn't a give-way sign at this junction, I know I've got to give-way
as there's a double broken line. Sometimes there's a white triangle painted on the road too
and at some junctions you'll see a stop sign and a solid white line.
You'll have to stop at these even if the road you're joining is clear.
If the road is definitely clear and safe then you don't have to stop at a give-way line
which I'll demonstrate and talk you through later but if you're just starting then you'll probably
feel more comfortable to stop make sure it's safe and then go once it's clear. So I'll be
stopping at this next junction pretending it's my first time and I'll talk you through it.
[Music]
I'm turning left at the end of the road. I'll now check the interior
and left mirror to assess what's behind. Signal left and keep left. Brake and
clutch down. Follow the kerb round. This will make it easier to emerge out and others can
possibly turn right next to you. First gear. I'll stop once the give-way line looks like
it touches the bottom of this mirror. Although this reference point may look different for you
as it varies from car to car and different seat positions and height. Observe properly for others,
but don't stare in just one direction or you'll miss something else. Straighten the steering.
Use the mirrors to check the position and speed of vehicles behind and accelerate if it's safe.
The last junction was a closed junction which meant that on the approach
I couldn't see who was on the major road because of buildings and other obstructions.
Always use first gear for these, after you've slowed down as it's really difficult to see.
Don't be afraid to lean forward in your seat to get a better view
and you might need to carefully creep forward to see round obstructions but be ready to stop.
In this previous video I showed an open junction.
This is where there's a clear view on the approach with minimal obstructions.
If it's definitely clear and safe, then slow down and you can use second gear.
I'm turning left at the end of the road and it's another closed junction.
This time I might not need to stop completely as long as it's clear and safe.
I've checked the mirrors, signalled left, positioned to the left, following the kerb.
Brake, clutch down, first gear, observing to the right, left, right again. It's safe,
but keep checking. Gas, biting point, smoothly raise the clutch with more gas as you straighten
the steering then use the mirrors to check the position and speed of vehicles behind. [Music]
Some new drivers only check to the right and emerge out without looking left
but then I could have hit this car that was in the middle of the road.
A lot of accidents happen at junctions, so make sure you observe properly.
Especially look out for cyclists and motorcyclists that are harder to see.
At the end of the road I'm turning left. Check the interior and left mirror.
Signal, keep left, braking, clutch down, following the kerb round,
first gear. The kerb here goes round gradually and I should follow it round.
But some junctions have a sharp corner, I'll show you one later. Check in this area for
where the kerb is as you don't want to hit it or drift away from it. Following the kerb round
is safer as you're less likely to affect other road users when you emerge out. Don't forget if
there's enough room at a junction, then someone else might want to turn right next to you.
You should give way to people that are crossing or waiting to cross at a junction.
Approach the junction slowly and check both sides for any pedestrians. [Music]
You mustn't encourage them to cross, so you can't wave at them in case you wave them into any
danger. If the pedestrian wants to cross at the junction then they'll be walking towards the kerb
and probably looking both ways at the traffic. Try to make eye contact and stop if it's safe.
If you stop for the pedestrian and they don't want to cross, then start moving slowly and carefully.
At the end of the road I'm turning left. Check the interior mirror, left mirror, signal left,
keep left, braking, clutch down. Follow the kerb round. First gear, observe properly,
off brake, gas, biting point, smoothly raise the clutch with more gas, then use the mirrors
to check the position and speed of vehicles behind. Always plan to stop but prepare to go.
Make sure that when you decide to emerge out that you don't cause another road user to slow down,
stop or swerve. [Music] To help you remember, let me talk you through the routine again.
Check the interior mirror, left mirror, signal left, brake, position, follow the angle of the
corner, clutch down, first gear, observe it's safe, gas, biting point, straighten the steering
and accelerate, then use the mirrors to check the position and speed of vehicles behind.
If you're unsure it's safe, then it's always better to stop
observe and then go when you're sure. If it is difficult to see because of obstructions,
then try leaning forward to get a better view, looking through the windows of the other
vehicle and checking for any reflections in shop windows, bus stops and parked vehicles can help.
Some new drivers straighten the steering when waiting but there isn't any need.
If it's a gradual, rounded turn like this one,
then it's best to have your wheels pointing towards where you want to go.
The next junction is a sharp one and it's also a crossroads which means that I've got to observe
not only to the right and left but also check what other road users are doing opposite.
Be careful not to steer too early or you'll probably hit the kerb with the back wheel.
Getting right up to the give-way line will help and I've got the steering wheel straight.
Looking in this area I can see the kerb here.
I don't want to hit it, so I'll have to drive straight at first,
now turn. I can see the kerb here. I have to steer a lot as I'm moving out as it's so sharp
but I also have to straighten the steering at the right time so I don't swing into the kerb.
How much you steer varies from junction to junction
as they're all different. Just try and keep an eye on where the kerb is
and of course, as well as looking for the kerb, observe for other road users too. [Music]
This time I'm going to make some common mistakes. I'm approaching too fast and not prepared.
I've positioned badly to the right
and I've stopped too early, not up to the give-way line, in third gear! Changing down to
first just before the give-way line helps you be prepared to go now. I need to creep forward to see
and I've missed an opportunity to go.
I've got a bad angle, I haven't steered enough and swinging out too wide possibly towards oncoming.
I've straightened the steering too late. Now I'm heading for the kerb! Make sure you don't
do junctions like that. If you struggle when approaching junctions or just feel overwhelmed
with the amount of things you have to do, then try approaching them slower to give yourself
more thinking time. Approaching junctions too quickly can also scare other road users. [Music]
We're now going to have a look at how to turn left from a major bigger road into a minor road.
These are easier than emerging out of a minor side road as you have priority over other vehicles,
but you'll have to stop for any pedestrians that want to cross
or are crossing the road. You also mustn't cut across any cyclists,
horse riders or horse-drawn vehicles when turning into or out of a junction.
Firstly identify where the road is. Look out for signs and markings.
I'll talk you through the routine and what to do. Check the interior mirror,
left mirror, signal left, positioning to the left, brake, second gear, turn.
[Music] Then use the mirrors to check the position and speed of vehicles behind. [Music]
For that last turn I was driving at about 10-15 miles per hour
so second gear was best but if you're turning into a tight road like this
or one that goes up a steep hill then you might need to slow down more and change to first.
Let's do another one. Identify where the road is, check interior mirror, left mirror, signal left,
position to the left, slow down, second gear. Look into the road you're turning into. Make sure it's
safe and turn. Then use the mirrors to check the position and speed of vehicles behind. Make sure
you release the clutch before turning so that you don't coast which is basically freewheeling.
If you see any pedestrians near the junction, then slow down
and be ready to stop if they want to cross or are crossing.
Make sure there aren't any cyclists going past you on your left as they've got priority too.
If you feel overwhelmed by all the steps you have to do, then try driving slower.
A lot of mistakes happen because the new driver is approaching something
such as a turn too fast and not giving themselves enough time to think and react.
[Music]
Oh why did that go wrong? [Music]
Although you've got priority to turn left over other vehicles you never know what's going to be
in the next road you're turning into. There could be parked vehicles, pedestrians wanting to cross
or already crossing or a traffic jam, so be careful. If you can't see what's
in the road you're turning into, then slow down and have the footbrake ready.
To avoid hitting the kerb, keep a look out for it in this area and don't turn too early. If you turn
too late, then you could swing out towards oncoming. Start straightening the steering
before the car is straight so that you don't swing in towards the kerb or a parked vehicle.
It's important to get the routine in the correct order, at the right time,
so I'll show you it again to help you remember. Identify where the road is. Check the interior
mirror, left mirror, signal left, position to the left, then slow down, second gear,
turn. As always, keep a look out for cyclists before you turn,
now use the mirrors to check the position and speed of vehicles behind.
Signalling at the correct time is important, too early and it might confuse another road user.
Signal too late and they might not be able to react in time.
If you're looking for an online course of driving tips, then have a look at our website.
There's some completely free driving modules. You don't even need to register or provide
your credit card details. There's a link in the description. Thanks a lot for watching.
I really hope it helps. Subscribing to our channel really helps us
make more videos. In the meantime, keep safe on the road and bye for now [Music]