Welcome to Toms Tips, no. 3.
There is a lot of information to take on after your lessons on these topics, and a lot of practise is needed before you will be able to cope safely and independently with emerging at junctions and understanding and dealing with roundabouts. So, give yourself time to get used to it all and these tips should help you to keep a mental checklist and help with any revision you may need. Toms Tips are only meant as notes, the best information you can receive is from your driving instructor at John Lowe Driving.
Let’s dive in!
Emerging at Junctions.
Emerging is what we do at the end of a minor road to turn left or right into a major road.
You may see signs or markings, which are warnings of possible danger ahead. See the Highway Code for Give Way signs and Stop signs etc.
Keep a look out for unmarked junctions.
Always use:
Use M S M routine.
Manouevre is Position- Speed- Look.
Mirror- Signal- Position- Speed- Look.
Emerging Left
- Check mirrors.
- Signal.
- Position correctly about a meter from the kerb.
- Speed( adjust and select correct gear.)
Look for more information. Your view may be restricted by parked cars, fences or pedestrians. The view that you have into the new road is your zone of vision.
Keep scanning right and left as you get nearer and your zone of vision will widen. When emerging, you must not cause any other vehicle to slow down, or change direction.
Remember the manouevre takes time.
Emerging Right.
You will be crossing traffic from your right and joining the flow from your left. This requires sound judgement of speed and distance. Remember, you must not affect other traffic.
Do not steer too early. Steering depends on the width of the new road and any obstructions.
Your front wheels should be straight at the Stop or Give Way line.
Open Junctions.
This is where you have visibility as you approach.
You can make a decision on the approach as to whether you are likely to be able to fit in with the traffic flow, by reducing your speed, selecting the appropriate gear in good time and joining the flow of traffic on the main road safely.
Remember- you should build your speed up to the speed of the traffic on the main road as soon as possible, as long as you can do it safely, without breaking the speed limit.
Closed Junctions.
These are junctions where there are buildings or other obstructions on the approach, preventing you from getting a full view into the main road, thus preventing you from making a decision. In such circumstances, reduce your speed on the approach to a snails pace, and just before the Give Way line, slip the gear lever into 1st.
If visibility is complete at this stage, a decision can be made to emerge.
Remember- Peep and creep.
Roundabouts.
Roundabouts allow traffic from different roads to merge or cross without necessarily stopping.
Traffic flows one way in a clockwise direction.
Priority: You normally give way to the right.
Some roundabouts have traffic lights that determine priority.
Always use M S P S L and use nearside door mirror when leaving.
Going Left.
Approach and stay on the left. Signal left throughout.
Straight On.
Approach on the left, or middle, if marked. No signal yet. Signal left when you pass the first exit.
Going right, or full circle.
Approach on the right with right signal. Stay on the right of roundabout. Signal left when you pass the exit before the one you want.
Traffic mixes on roundabouts, so use anticipation.
Beware of: Long vehicles, cyclists and horses( see highway code.)
Plan your approach,get the correct lane early.
Look early.
These basic rules apply on any roundabout, including mini-roundabouts( see highway code.)
Your driving instructor at John Lowe Driving will ensure that you are fully comfortable with all aspects of junctions and roundabouts, using the latest tuition techniques.
“These skills take a while to develop, so I was lucky to have a great driving instructor from John Lowe Driving. He taught me well from beginning to end, gradually increasing my confidence as my driving developed on each driving lesson, leading to my driving test pass.”
Leon Cook, Cheltenham.
If you would like to start your driving lessons, we’ve got some great male and female driving instructors as well as manual and automatic cars.
Call us anytime on 01452 313713, for a brief, no pressure chat to see if we fit, or click here for our contact form.