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T Junctions |
There are 3 types of T Junctions .Unamarked,Closed ,Open.
The unmarked have no give way lines,The open T Junctions mean you can see what is coming along the major road from your right well before you get to the give way lines.
The closed T Junctions mean that you can't see what is coming along the major road from your right until you are nearly at the give way lines.Most T Junctions you will find are closed.
The broken white lines across the road mean give way to traffic on the major road.If there is nothing coming you do not have to stop.
CLOSED ;- Turning left
Check the mirror then put on a left hand signal at the correct distance from the end of road.
Start braking as soon as the signal is on.Your speed will need to be slow as you have looking etc to do and you need the time to carry it out.
Determine which kind of T Junction.
PSL Position Speed Look
Check you have the right distance from the kerb as you don't want to hit the kerb on the turn.Your normal driving distance will do.On a very narrow road you may be close to the centre line of the road.
Next look at the corner to see how sharp it is as you are going to do some of the steering when you get to the end of the road.All corners bend differently so you will have to make the judgement yourself.The reason you steer some left is that it will stop you coming out wide on the turn.Make sure you steer at the end of the road,as if done too soon it will take you into the kerb and you will hit it on the turn.
As you are doing all this remember to keep slowing down.You need enough momentum to get to where you can see clearly what is coming from your right.
Just before you get to the end of the road,a car length from the give way lines you need to get first gear,doing a controlled roll to the give way lines. You should first look to the right for any moving traffic.When you get to where you can see you then steer left for the amount you have previously judged for the corner.
Next you must look to the left as traffic could be out wide passing obstructions.and then look back to the right for a final check
You must not leave the junction if you will cause traffic to slow,stop,skid change direction or catch you up.Remember it takes longer to move out on a hill.
If it is safe to go, set some gas and drive out using the clutch.Look at the kerb to your left so as you can get your distance from the kerb,straighten up by turning the wheel right.Don't bring the clutch off fully until you are straight as you could veer across the road.
When you are out and straight get up to the driving conditions of the road quickly.
If you have to stop and give way to traffic on the major road, put the Handbrake on if you are on a hill or going to be at stop for more than 5 seconds.
The reason you put on the handbrake is so that the car does not go forward if your foot came off the clutch causing a possible collision with another car.All that would happen is the car would jolt to a stop as the handbrake would stop it.If you are on a flat road and the car you are giving way to will be past in less than 5 seconds don’t put it on.
If you get to the end of the road and there are parked cars ie. obstructions,stop,look both ways and creep out on the clutch very slowly still looking both ways.If you see any traffic gently stop.Remember the higher you raise the clutch the faster you will go.If you have no gas set you will stall.The clutch controls the speed of the car until it is fully up.
If there are parked cars on your left near the end of the road make sure you clear them check mirror and move back to the left as much as possible.
If there is a soild white line at the end of the road you must STOP AND LOOK.
On some T Junctions you find the kerb has a large bend on it.Follow the bend and then get first gear,then do the looking etc.
OPEN T JUNCTION :-Tuning left
If you can see it is clear from your right and left you can turn in second gear.Only glance to the right as your steering could go wrong. You should do the same positioning ,looking etc as for above
UNMARKED T JUNCTION
There are no give way lines so equal priority.If the road runs across you be prepared to stop and give way .
TURNING RIGHT
For turning right you need to move to just left of the center line of the road you are in.You always need first gear for turning right as you will have to look right,left,right again before leaving the road.
You must not go out and block the road to turn.If it is clear from your right you can start going out to fit in a gap between cars moving from your left.
When you have turned out look at kerb to your left and steer slightly towards it, this will stop the car from veering out to the right.
CROSS ROADS
The method is much the same as for the T Junctions.If the give way lines are running across the front of your car,you must give way to traffic on the major road.If there is any road user in the road opposite,and your are turning right and they are going ahead they have priority over you.You never turn across a vehicle going ahead in a straight line.(Roundabouts being an exception which is explained in the section on roundabouts.)If you are both turning right it is an equal priority.Get some eye contact and see who is going to go first.
You will always need first gear to go ahead and to turn right.