Crossroads

Crossroads are more hazardous than T-junctions because you may have four cars all crossing the same small area of the road. Observations and patience are particularly important. 

Turning left from the major road into the minor road

The routine for this is exactly the same as previously practiced:

Mirror – look at the inside and left mirrors
Signal – always signal, even if you can’t see anyone
Position – maintain the normal driving position
Speed – most of the time you will be at 10-15 mph when turning and will therefore be in 2nd gear, but assess each junction as you approach; occasionally, 3rd or 1st will be more appropriate. Make sure your clutch is fully up before you turn. If it is down (coasting) you can’t brake as effectively or accelerate at all and the car may drift wide around the corner.
Look – as you reach the corner, check the inside and left mirrors again, look ahead for vehicles turning in front of you (it’s your priority but folks can be cheeky) and into the side road for any hazards. Pay extra attention to who is moving towards you and emerging from the side roads. You have the priority over everyone but make sure it is being given to you by others. 

After entering the new road, have another look in the inside mirror to see what has followed you into it.

Turning right from the major road into the minor road

The routine for this is exactly the same as previously practiced:

Mirror – look at the inside and right mirrors
Signal – always signal, even if you can’t see anyone
Position – move to just left of centre, or as close to the centre as is safe if you are in a narrow road.
Speed – as with turning left, most of the time you will be at 10-15 mph and in 2nd gear when turning if there is nothing to give way to. If there is something to give way to, naturally you will need 1st. The turning point and stop position are the same; halfway across the side road. Make sure your clutch is fully up before you turn. If it is down (coasting) you can’t brake as effectively or accelerate at all and the car may drift wide around the corner.
Look – you will be able to plan more effectively and make a better decision if you start assessing the junction and looking at oncoming traffic as you start slowing down. Just before you turn, check the inside and right mirrors again, look ahead for vehicles and into the side road for any hazards. Turn when you can do so without affecting oncoming traffic. Pay extra attention to who is moving towards you and emerging from the side roads. 

If there is a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction that is also turning right (into the road on your left) there is no priority so be prepared to give way. The speed of the other vehicle and where the driver is looking can often tell you what the driver’s intention is, so assess these as you approach. As the side roads are directly opposite each other, there is the potential for each car to block the other by moving across to the halfway point of the side road. You can be the hero of the situation by holding back slightly and creating room for the other vehicle to turn first. If you do this, make sure a vehicle emerging from one of the side roads isn’t taking advantage and pulling out before you move.  

After entering the new road, have another look in the inside mirror to see what has followed you into it.

Emerging left from the minor road into the major road

The routine for this is exactly the same as previously practiced:

Mirror – look at the inside and left mirrors
Signal – always signal, even if you can’t see anyone
Position – maintain the normal driving position
Speed – the approach speed will depend on the view you have as you approach the junction so you help yourself a lot if you start looking as you start braking. If the view is good, you may be able to stay in 2nd gear if there is no-one to give way to. If the view is bad or the road is busy, you will need 1st gear. The less you can see the slower you will have to go as the stopping distance will be shorter.
Look – as mentioned above, you help yourself a lot if you start looking as you start braking. You may not see much at first, but you will build up a gradual picture as you get closer, seeing each hazard one at a time. You will be able to make an informed, unhurried decision. If you wait until the last minute to look, you will see everything all at once and will be forced to make a rushed decision and only have a short amount of time to act on it. If you decide to use 1st, make sure your speed is just under 10mph when you change and bring the clutch to bite after changing. You can then creep safely forwards under clutch control to get a better view while being able to stop quickly but safely if you spot another vehicle. 

In addition to traffic on the major road, you may also have a vehicle in the side road opposite that also wants to turn. If that vehicle is going left or ahead, there isn’t a problem as your paths don’t cross. If the other vehicle is turning right, you have the priority as it is crossing your path. However, the other driver may not be aware of this rule (or care about it!) so make sure it is waiting for you before moving, making eye contact can help, as can looking at the behaviour of the other driver. If they are moving the steering wheel, edging forwards or not paying much attention to you, the chances are they are intent on going first. 

Emerging right from the minor road into the major road

The routine for this is exactly the same as previously practiced. As you are turning right and therefore crossing the path of others, everyone has priority over you.

Mirror – look at the inside and left mirrors
Signal – always signal, even if you can’t see anyone
Position – move to just left of centre, or as close to the centre as is safe if you are in a narrow road.
Speed – the approach speed will depend on the view you have as you approach the junction so you help yourself a lot if you start looking as you start braking. If the view is good, you may be able to stay in 2nd gear if there is no-one to give way to. If the view is bad or the road is busy, you will need 1st gear. The less you can see the slower you will have to go as the stopping distance will be shorter.
Look – as mentioned above, you help yourself a lot if you start looking as you start braking. You may not see much at first, but you will build up a gradual picture as you get closer, seeing each hazard one at a time. You will be able to make an informed, unhurried decision. If you wait until the last minute to look, you will see everything all at once and will be forced to make a rushed decision and only have a short amount of time to act on it. If you decide to use 1st, make sure your speed is just under 10mph when you change and bring the clutch to bite after changing. You can then creep safely forwards under clutch control to get a better view while being able to stop quickly but safely if you spot another vehicle. 

As you approach and are waiting at the junction, try to make eye contact with the driver opposite. He may let you go first, especially if you are both turning right, and wave or flash the lights at you to show this. If this happens, make sure it is clear everywhere else before committing to the turn. If the view left or right is limited, creep forward using clutch control in the normal way. It is tempting to rush as you know someone is waiting for you but resist! Make sure you emerge safely.

Remember that if the vehicle opposite is turning left or going ahead, you are crossing their path and it is therefore their priority. If they are also turning right, you are crossing each others path and so there is no priority. It will boil down to who wants to be nice! Be prepared to be the considerate driver and let the other guy go first.  

Common Faults

 

The importance of observations can’t be under-stated regardless of the direction you are approaching from, especially if the junction is unmarked. As you potentially need to give way to traffic coming from all directions, don’t be tempted to look in one direction for too long. Constantly turn your head from side to side (imagine you have a stiff neck!) so you keep up to date with the situation on both sides. Even if it is your priority, don’t assume that everyone will give it to you and be prepared to give way. Watching the behaviour of the other vehicle and driver can sometimes tell you what the intentions are.