Core Subject 3 – Emerging Safely from Junctions

(Use the ATS Lesson plan on page 4 and Pages 12 and 13)

Introduction

This subject requires an explanation, using the visual aids, of the procedures and safety aspects of emerging, and then talking the pupil through the routines and keeping control of events. The pupil will have had a lesson on approaching junctions (major to minor) and will have an understanding of the MSM, PSL routine. The observations and judgments required to emerge safely on to a major road are key aspects when teaching this subject.

The Lesson

As usual, offer a briefing to explain the sequence of approaching open and closed T junction to turn left and right and emerge onto major road safely without impeding other road users. be prepared to offer a demonstration of how to do this practically; if accepted, involve the pupil in your demonstration (Q&A). Lastly, move on to talking through the pupil up to T junctions, stopping at give way lines, before emerging in 1st gear onto the major road.

Practical instruction

When talking the pupil through the exercise, keep speed on approach slow to create time and space for you to talk through and for the pupil to apply correct procedures before reaching the end of the road. Carry out circuits of three of four junctions to the left before moving onto the more difficult right turns.

When the pupil can, with your help, stop smoothly and safely at the end of the road before emerging in 1st gear, teach how to keep moving at simple, open, quiet T junctions using the “controlled toll” technique. If in any doubt regarding the safety of emerging, teach the pupil to stop and wait for a safe gap in the priority traffic – only emerge when its is safe.

Start to transfer responsibility, initially using Q&A, so that the pupil is taking control of the approach (MSM , PSL) and decision to emerge on to the major road safely.

Do not expect the pupil to be an expert at emerging after a few attempts. This is a complex subject requiring excellent car control and an ability to judge a safe gap into which emerge both day and night, up and downhill, at open and closed junctions, stop and give way, quiet and busy roads.

Summary

Often pupils are apprehensive at first driving up to, and emerging onto major road. Build on their previous junction work and support them as they wrestle with the competing complexities of controlling the car whilst higher level judgments of then to emerge. Correct any faults you see ensuring that you get feedback from your pupil as to why the fault occurred and what they were thinking and how it should have been done. Managing risk is important so ensure emerging practice is carried out in a safe environment.

Private Practice

Practice talking yourself up to and through T junctions (words before actions)

Tasks to complete

• Watch the above video (Currently in production)
• Fill in the blanks on the worksheet – Emerging safely from Junctions ( you can download it in word, complete it and upload it to your course for us to forward it to your trainer)
• Complete the same worksheet in your workbook
• Send in 10 questions on this subject (Open questions such as who, what, when , why and how) – Again complete it and upload to be forwarded to your trainer)
• Make a note of those questions in the back of your workbook.
• Arrange a Webinar / online session with your trainer and deliver them a brief on this subject.