T-right

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Here you will turn right at the end of a road. Your supervisor, instructor or examiner will use the words “At the end of the road turn right”.

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 - although not all junctions are marked.

Once again, use your knowledge of MSPSL.

Mirrors. Because you are turning right, check the interior mirror and right 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 vehicle on your off side 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 right. But only do so if your mirrors show you there is no-one about to overtake or is next to you. A badly timed right signal might make them jump and cause them to swerve.

Position. Unless road markings show otherwise, you will need to position the car just to the left of centre .

Your road position is just as important as your signal when informing other road users of your intentions. As you approach the junction, keep your steering wheel straight to avoid turning too early and cutting the corner.

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.

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.

However, because turning right at a t-junction involves crossing at least two lines of traffic, it is almost always advisable to treat junctions as closed and assume you are going to have to stop. This allows time to look thoroughly both ways before moving out.

Supervisor tip - 6

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.

Here is a right turn as it should be.

Now watch the following video to see a common mistake.

How many mistakes can you spot?!

Approach And Turn Right Tight Junctions