Emerging Right (Minor Road to Major Road)

Emerging right is almost exactly the same as turning left.

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 – 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.

Common Faults

 

As you need to give way to traffic coming from both 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.

The timing of the gear change is important. Changing too early into 1st will mean crawling up to the junction at a snail’s pace. Changing too late will make turning more difficult. Wait until you have a rough idea which gear you will need before changing rather than making an assumption. If you are not sure which gear to use, ask yourself this question as you approach the junction; “Can I make my decision (to stop or go) yet?” The answer to this question will tell you which gear you need.

Start to turn right as soon as you leave the junction. If you steer before the give way line, you will be slightly on the wrong side of the road and in the path of anyone turning in. If you steer when you reach your side of the road, you have a lot of work to do to miss the kerb.