Turning - Learner Driver Tips [EBOOK] Ch 11

April 30, 2019 at 11:21 AM

In Chapter 11, learn about all aspects of turning both onto and off multi-lane roads, one-way streets and cul-de-sacs as well as performing U-turns.

Jump To:
11.1    TURNING LEFT INTO A MULTI-LANE ROAD
11.2    TURNING RIGHT INTO A MULTI-LANE ROAD
11.3    TURNING LEFT OFF A MULTI-LANE ROAD
11.4    TURNING RIGHT OFF A MULTI-LANE ROAD
11.5    PERFORMING A U-TURN
11.6    PERFORMING U-TURNS IN A CUL-DE-SAC
11.7    HOW TO TURN INTO A ONE-WAY STREET

11.1           TURNING LEFT INTO A MULTI-LANE ROAD

It’s a bit simpler to turn left into a multi-lane highway than it is to turn right. That’s because you’ll not need to cross over traffic lanes to make the turn. However it is still important to ensure that you get the basics right. 

Look ahead to the intersection so as to be able to plan your course as well as to position your car correctly for the turn.

While coming up to the turn, make sure you go through the following steps: Check mirrors –> Signal direction –> Check your course –> Brake –> Shift down gears –> Assess your surroundings.

• Angle your vehicle slightly to the left as you pull up at the intersection to ready yourself for the turn.
• Look for a gap (look to the right and ahead at least twice before you move off).
• If all is clear, turn into the closest lane and accelerate to the appropriate speed.

11.2           TURNING RIGHT INTO A MULTI-LANE ROAD

Turning right into a road with multiple lanes is very similar to turning right into a single-lane road. The only difference is that there is more traffic for you to watch out for. 

Look well ahead as you approach the intersection so that you can plan where to position your vehicle for the turn. Remember to check your mirrors, indicate, choose your course, brake, shift to a lower gear (for manuals) and assess your surrounding as you come up to the turn.

Follow these steps to make the turn:

• Position your car near the centreline of the street you are on facing straight towards the intersection.
• Look for a gap in the traffic (look both ways and ahead a minimum of two times before pulling out).
• If all is clear, cross the lanes of traffic coming towards you from your right side and turn into the closest lane to the middle of the road.
• Speed up to match the flow of the traffic.

11.3           TURNING LEFT OFF A MULTI-LANE ROAD

While turning left off a multi-lane road is not as difficult as turning right off a similar road, there are still a couple of steps you need to take to ensure you do it safely. 

Here are the steps for turning left off a multi-lane road:

• Plan your route in advance and move into the left-most lane as you near the place where you want to make the left turn. Remember to allow yourself enough time to make lane changes safely before you get to the turn. Also, make sure to indicate and check your mirrors and blind spots whenever changing lanes.
• Indicate left and slow your car down as you approach the left turn. Shift down gears if you are driving a manual. Also, be prepared to bring your vehicle to a complete stop.
• Once you’re at the turn, check the road you are turning into for pedestrians and/or cyclists crossing the road as well as other hazards.
• If the left turn is at an intersection, check right for vehicles that are coming straight across.
• If all is clear, accelerate smoothly and make the turn.
• Increase your speed to match with the rest of the traffic.

11.4           TURNING RIGHT OFF A MULTI-LANE ROAD

Similar to turning into a multi-lane road, there’re a few steps that you need to follow when turning off multi-lane roads. The trick to turning right off a multi-lane road is selecting the right gap.

Here are the steps to follow:

• Move to the right-hand lane as you approach the place where you’ll be turning your vehicle. Make sure to start early enough so as not to rush the lane changes and risk making mistakes.
• Look for a flush median or right-turning bay at the place where you’ll be turning as these will provide you with a place to wait for a safe gap.
• As you prepare to turn: Check your mirrors – signal – plan your course – brake – shift down gears (for manuals) – assess for hazards.
• If all is clear, then you can make the turn.
• When making a right turn off a multi-lane road, you will need to give way to at least two lanes of oncoming traffic. Ensure there’s an adequate gap in all lanes before you make the turn.

11.5           PERFORMING A U-TURN

Sometimes when driving, you’ll need to turn around and go back in the direction you came from. One of the easiest ways you can do this is by performing a U-turn.

Here are the steps for performing a U-turn safely and successfully:

• Check your mirrors, indicate left for at least three seconds and then pull into the kerb as close as possible without touching it.
• Check your mirrors and indicate right.
• Check for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists in your mirrors and blind spots.
• Turn your steering to the furthest right as you pull out slowly and drive smoothly to the other side of the road.
• Perform a mirror and shoulder check as you complete the turn to ensure no one has come up behind your car and is trying to pass, then accelerate back into your lane.
• The best place to perform a U-turn is on a wide street where there aren’t vehicles parked in your way and where you have a good view of traffic up and down the street.

11.6           PERFORMING U-TURNS IN A CUL-DE-SAC

Although the word sounds quite fancy, a cul-de-sac basically refers to a reasonably short street that has a bulbous end. Because cul-de-sac streets do not connect to any other streets, it’s very common to find people U-turning where they end. 

When performing a U-turn at a cul-de-sac, the most important thing you need to remember is that all the regular rules for performing U-turns still apply.

The rules are not any different for these dead-end streets.

The rules for performing a U-turn in a cul-de-sac are:

• Mirrors and Blind Spot - You’ll still need to indicate and check your mirrors and blind spots even when you are performing the U-turn by following the road around the bulbous end of the cul-de-sac street. Checking your blind spots and mirrors helps you ensure that there aren’t any hidden hazards that could cause an accident when you’re making the turn.
• Indicating - Signalling right at the end of the street informs other drivers and road users that you’ll not be turning into a driveway but rather driving around along the road.

Video: Performing a U Turn in a Cul De Sac

11.7           HOW TO TURN INTO A ONE-WAY STREET

The most important thing to remember when you want to turn into a one-way street is to ensure that you turn into the lane that is closest to you. For left turns, turn into the left-hand lane, and into the right-hand lane for right turns.

There’s an exception to this rule if the road has markings pointing you to the lane you should take.

Make sure to plan ahead so that you know how you’re going to position your car. If you’re on a road with multiple lanes, make sure you head to the one that matches the direction you want to turn.

Follow these steps when making the turn: Check your mirrors – Signal – Choose your course – Brake – Shift to a lower gear (for manuals) – Assess your surroundings.

If vehicles coming from the opposite direction are also turning into the one-way street, you can both go at the same time as you will be turning into different lanes. Just make sure to look out for oncoming traffic just in case someone veers into your lane. Also, keep an eye out for traffic going straight in case you need to give way.

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