Approaching Crossroads Turning left, right and crossing from minor roads into or across major roads

This exercise can also be given in either phase 1 or phase 2. We are now dealing with it as a phase 1 exercise. The general advice given in previous exercises equally applies to this exercise.

The examiner will introduce the exercise saying something on the following lines, "I would like you to imagine I have been having driving lessons in a car like this so I am conversant with the controls. This week my instructor told me he would teach me how to deal with crossroads. That is, in the main, turning left and turning right or going from minor roads into or across major roads. Will you teach me how to do that as if I have never had it explained before and if I have any faults in my driving will you correct them?"

Begin by introducing yourself and establishing first name terms. Find out about his previous experience with 'T' junctions in order to pitch your instruction at the correct level. You may find he has negotiated some but he is not too good at it.

Your objective will be to briefly outline a procedure which the pupil can use to safely recognize and negotiate crossroads of varying importance. You will develop the pupil's judgement when he begins to gain practical experience so keep your briefing brief. You will need training aids similar to the photographs and diagram at the end of the chapter. Start your briefing by explaining to the pupil that crossroads are not as easy to recognize as 'T' junctions, because with a 'T' junction you have only two alternatives. You must turn either right or left. With a crossroad you have three options, in addition to turning left or right you can go ahead. Because a driver can see the road ahead of him he sometimes doesn't recognize the roads to the right and left. Show him the photographs of the crossroads. In the top photograph it is only the building line which enlightens the driver that a crossroad exists. In the lower photograph the crossroad is obvious because the crossing road appears like a carpet across the road. However for the driver on the crossing road the intersection will not be as obvious to him so great care should be taken at such intersections.

Going Ahead

Next draw the pupil's attention to your visual aid and say, as you are pointing to the bottom of the diagram, I would like you to imagine that we are driving along here and it is our intention to go ahead at the crossroad. The first thing we do is to recognize and assess the cross road. Look for traffic lights or traffic signs. If you cannot glean enough information at this distance to decide which is the main road, treat the other road as the main road until more information becomes available. We now use the MSM procedure, so we check the mirrors, consider a signal (brake lights may be sufficient) then we have to consider position. Look for lane markings and comply with direction arrows if there are any, if not keep to the left unless there is a good reason why you shouldn't. Now comes speed and look which we marry together. This brings us to the mnemonic code VSG which stands for Visibility governs Speed which governs Gear. Imagine for a moment that the areas either side of the road were open fields and we could see for a mile in each direction. If the road was clear of traffic and the national speed limit applied, we could cross the major road at 60 MPH in perfect safety.On the other hand if there were buildings on each side of the road the visibility would be restricted.( Use diagrams showing zones of visibility.) All we would be able to see, pointing to the zone of visibility, would be that part of the road. Show how the driver of the car at the junction is still unable to see and explain, in this position the driver would have to be in first gear and slipping the clutch.

That is a big difference between the first example where the driver was able to go across at 60 MPH in the highest gear. The difference has been brought about by the reduction of visibility. Now I will explain how we adjust the speed to suit the varying circumstances. We apply the footbrake so that if we do not release it, the car will come to rest in a safe position just before crossing the line. At the same time we begin looking right and left as well as taking in what is happening with oncoming vehicles. If the view opens up and it is safe to proceed, we release the footbrake, change to the appropriate gear and drive across. If the view does not open up then we keep our foot on the footbrake and continue with the observations. As the vehicle gets closer to the main road it will continue losing speed and eventually we shall have to prevent the engine from stalling by depressing the clutch. At this point we shall engage the appropriate gear which will probably be first gear unless the gradient dictates otherwise. When the view opens up and we can see it is unsafe to proceed we need not do anything else, the car will stop in a safe position and we shall be in the correct gear for moving off. Alternatively if the road is clear of traffic in the immediate vicinity of the intersection and it is safe to emerge without endangering anyone, we release the footbrake and the car will not stop but will roll over the line and we can drive it away using the clutch and accelerator. At uphill intersections the effect of the gradient may be sufficient to check the forward movement of the car and we would be able to take up partial drive with the clutch and accelerator. We can then hold the car stationary for a few seconds if need be, or, we can apply the handbrake and fully depress the clutch should a longer wait be envisaged.

When we are going ahead, oncoming drivers should allow us to proceed but we do not live in a perfect society. Some drivers will be forceful and take advantage of you, so be careful. Invite questions on the part covered and deal with them. Next deal with turning left.

Turning Left

Let us imagine this time it is our intention to turn left. Again we try to assess the crossroad by looking for signs etc. Start the MSM by looking in all three mirrors. If safe to signal, signal our intention to turn left. Position the vehicle to the left about two to three feet from the kerb and hold that position all the way on the approach and around the corner. There must be no swinging out either before or after turning. As before we reduce speed with the brake with a view to stopping in a safe position behind the line unless we discover the road to be safe. Again as we near the junction we shall select the appropriate gear and when safe we shall emerge. Invite and deal with questions.

Turning Right

Now we shall look at a right turn. As before we make our initial assessment and begin the MSM procedure. After using the mirror and signalling, we take up a position just left of the centre of the road. Once in this position you must maintain it because it would be potentially dangerous to wander either to the left or right. Next speed & look, that is right, ahead, left, ahead and right again and this must be repeated until you are absolutely sure you can emerge without causing any driver to reduce speed or swerve. If vehicles are about to cross from the road opposite, you must wait behind the line until they have crossed. Once you begin to cross the line start turning the steering so that you turn a natural path onto the left hand side of the new road. Again invite and deal with questions.

If you do not get any questions about what to do if a vehicle is coming from the opposite direction and the driver is signalling right and you want to turn to your right. You might consider explaining crossing nearside to nearside and offside to offside with their advantages and disadvantages. Explain that drivers should give way to pedestrians who may be crossing any of the roads and drivers should not use their speed and weight to force pedestrians to hurry. Also be expecting drivers entering cutting the corner.

Finally point out that if a driver is going ahead at a crossroad and he can see from the road markings that he has priority, it does not mean he is absolutely safe. If an accident occurs at a crossroad because a driver has emerged when he should not have emerged, then the vehicles will collide in the major road. So whichever way you intend crossing an intersection you are driving through an area of potential danger and adequate care must be taken. This applies even if you are crossing a traffic light controlled crossing and the lights are showing in your favour. Don’t be afraid of asking questions such as, "What would he do at traffic lights if he was turning right and there was an oncoming vehicle intending to turn right?" You may need to use diagrams. If no further questions are forthcoming you can begin the practical part of the exercise.

The examiner will choose the route and will give you directions to repeat to him. Follow the advice given in the earlier exercises. Read the road well ahead and point out the salient points to your pupil giving him guidance and reasons for taking particular actions.