T-left
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Here you will turn left at the end of a road. Your mentor, instructor or examiner will use the words “At the end of the road turn left”.
First locate the junction. To spot the end of the road look for buildings, trees, hedges or some other obstruction across the road which indicates you will need to turn. Other clues will be ‘Give Way’ or ‘Stop’ signs and road markings. Here are some examples:
Remember that not all junctions are marked.
Once again, use your knowledge of MSPSL.
Mirrors. Because you are turning left, check the interior mirror and left exterior mirror. If there is traffic close behind, you’ll need to slow down a little earlier and more gently than normal. If there is a road user on your near side (such as a bicycle) you will need to allow them room. Checking your mirrors before anything else allows you to prepare for these things and to decide when it is safe to signal.
Signal. Signal left.
Position. Keep your normal distance from the kerb. Don’t be tempted to get too close and don’t swing out.
If you find you are tempted to swing out, you may be approaching too fast. If you clip the kerb when you turn in you may be too close on approach or turning too early.
As you approach the junction, follow the kerb round as shown in the video below.
Speed. Your speed of approach will depend on how tight the turn is and whether it’s an open or closed junction.
An open junction allows you to see the road you are turning into clearly. If you can see clearly on approach that the road you are turning into is clear, you will not need to slow down as much as when your vision is restricted. You may, in fact, be able to take the junction in second gear and, provided there is no ‘Stop’ sign and you have plenty of time to ensure there is no traffic on the main road, turn out without stopping.
A closed junction has restricted vision on approach. You can see little or nothing of the road you are turning into until you are near or at the junction. For a closed junction you will need to slow down much more and, regardless of signs or road markings, expect to have to stop to give yourself time to look before moving out. Even if you don’t have to stop, closed junctions almost always require first gear.
Look. As you approach the junction look both ways on the main road to see if it is safe to move out. As you get closer look both ways again. Before you move out look both ways again. It can’t be over emphasised how important it is to keep looking both ways as you move out - motor bikes, for example, can easily be missed.
Even though you are turning left make sure you have looked left before turning out. Drivers often believe it is less important as the traffic they need to worry about will be coming from the right. But if a car is overtaking coming from the left, even though they shouldn’t overtake near a junction, and you turn out without looking, the result is a head-on collision. So look both ways!
Be sure to look for any other obstructions on approach. As with turning into minor roads, pedestrians have right of way if they have stepped into the road. You should also give way to them if it’s possible they haven’t seen you or are about to step out anyway. If a pedestrian is crossing the main road you are turning into, wait at the junction until they have crossed.
When you have cleared the junction, check your mirrors again before pulling away.
Your MSPSL routine will help you remember all this. Say it through to yourself as you approach the junction.
Here is a left turn as it should be.
Left turn at T-junction
How many errors can you spot in the following video:
