Road Junctions Observations
Road Junctions – Observation. Effective observation is one of the key components of the M-S-M routine when dealing with junctions. Observation also includes judgement of speed, position and likely intentions of other road users. It is important to avoid slowing down other road users as a sequence of your actions particularly when they have priority over you. For instance, not slowing oncoming traffic when you are turning right into a minor road.
Observation also includes anticipation of the actions of other road users. For instance, observing and anticipating vehicles emerging from side roads ahead of you or being prepared for cyclists suddenly swerving in front of you to avoid a hole/stone in the road.
Good observation means that you are:
- Observing well ahead, immediately in front of you to the sides of your vehicle (when necessary) and to the rear through your mirrors when you are negotiating junctions.
- Anticipating the likely actions of other road users and using your judgement when determining priorities.
- Judging when to turn or emerge so as to avoid causing priority traffic to slow, swerve or stop.
Road Junctions – Turning Right.
When turning right at a junction, your road position should change after checking mirrors and indicating right. In normal circumstances, you should take up a position slightly left of the centre line, with the front of the vehicle level with the centre line of the side road as you start to turn.
When emerging, position up to the give-way lines. Any deviation from these positions would probably be a fault. However, there may be circumstances such as:
- Leaving a narrow road where a position to the right would hinder oncoming or turning traffic. In this case keep well to the left.
- Parked cars on the right of the major road requiring oncoming vehicles to cross the centre line. In this case you should move as close to the centre line as is practicable in the circumstances.
- When emerging right from a narrow road, allow vehicles turning into your road room to manoeuvre. It might be necessary to move closer to the left kerb.
Road Junctions – Turning Left.
After checking mirrors and indicating left it will probably be necessary on a wide road, to change road position slightly to the left. A position should be adopted about 1 metre from the kerb and maintained throughout the turn. On most roads you should be adopting a position that is about 1 metre from the kerb, in which case maintain this position on approach to the left turn.
Road Junctions – Cutting Corners.
The correct position before turning right is stated on page 33 under “Position before Turning Right” and in most of the reference books. Cutting the corner to the right is a driver fault and could be potentially dangerous. Provided that due care has been taken with:
- Speed on approach (not too fast).
- Observation ahead and into the side road to pinpoint the location of the centre line.
- Judgement of the speed of oncoming traffic.
There should be no cause, or excuse, for cutting corners to the right. The only exception to this maybe if there are parked vehicles or obstructions on the left in the side road.