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Why do so few motorists know the correct way to turn right at a crossroads?
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If you are at a crossroads and have to wait for the 'straight ahead' traffic to clear before you can tun right, the correct way to position yourself is to turn to face your turning quite early. Opposing cars who want to do the same are meant to slip beside you passenger side-to-passenger side.
That's the important part - not driver-side-to-driver-side.
This is the correct way because it means the two streams of right-turning traffic never need to cross each other.
yet everyone - I mean everyone - always positions themselves drive-side-to-driver-side, cause the two streams to criss-cross, which means the two lines get congested and block each other.
The corect wayis taught in driving lessons. Everyone should know it yet everyone ignores it. Grrrr!
That's the important part - not driver-side-to-driver-side.
This is the correct way because it means the two streams of right-turning traffic never need to cross each other.
yet everyone - I mean everyone - always positions themselves drive-side-to-driver-side, cause the two streams to criss-cross, which means the two lines get congested and block each other.
The corect wayis taught in driving lessons. Everyone should know it yet everyone ignores it. Grrrr!
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I can't recall anyone doing it either.
I have until recently been a driving instructor.
ANYWHERE
roundabouts are a joke too, indicating to go ROUND them, not indicating to EXIT them :rolleyes:
You may want to consult the Highway Code.... you know that thing that we were all taught to.....
181
When turning right at crossroads where an oncoming vehicle is also turning right, there is a choice of two methods
turn right side to right side; keep the other vehicle on your right and turn behind it. This is generally the safer method as you have a clear view of any approaching traffic when completing your turn
left side to left side, turning in front of each other. This can block your view of oncoming vehicles, so take extra care. Cyclists and motorcyclists in particular may be hidden from your view. Road layout, markings or how the other vehicle is positioned can determine which course should be taken.
Taken from https://www.gov.uk/using-the-road-159-to-203/road-junctions-170-to-183
See rule 181 of the Highway Code
https://www.gov.uk/using-the-road-159-to-203/road-junctions-170-to-183
The reason is that if you do it driver side to driver side both of you can see the approaching traffic clearly so it is safer for all concerned.
Plus you should never face your vehicle into the side road when turning right. You should be pointing straight ahead with the wheels also pointing straight ahead. That way if some numpty rams you up the exhaust pipe you get shunted straight ahead, hopefully into free space. If you are turning into the junction then you could get shunted head on into another vehicle approaching from the opposite direction. Which will get messy.
That would be my preference as well but at some junctions the geometry; number of lanes etc requires some flexibility and judgement. Clearly both are legal (in the absence of road markings).
Do not get me started on indicating.
A lot of people do not start indicating.
If it's a straight choice, I'd rather people indicated on exit than indicated when going around.
The indicator is of most use to those drivers waiting for an out.
In Germany drivers only indicate on exit. It works.
Of course, doing both is preferable.
Then when was I, and quite a lot of others, not taught this way?
I was taught driver-side to driver-side. (Isn't it called "offside to offside", or something?)
I HATE when a driver doesn't indicate when joining a roundabout to my right, then turns left, meaning I could have been well on my way rather than waiting for this imbecile that doesn't know the rules of the road.
I've never heard this before, but it would explain why some drivers insist on doing it, even when it's unsafe to do so.
Well, that is a (lack of) indicate on exit, technically, and I agree with you.
Could not agree more; on all counts.
No. Offside to offside or driver side to driver side is the correct way of turning right at a crossroads unless road markings or layout dictate otherwise.
I agree, the other way would be frankly very dangerous.
If I am turning right and the oncoming guy is turning right.
I usually wave at them and they wave back and go first.
Some times we do finger gestures, indicating where we intend to go, and who should go first.
I've never had an accident.
Driver-to-driver side is fine if it's 1 or 2 cars. Any more than that and the 2 streams of traffic completely block each other, and no you don't get a better view of anything - you just look into the car that's right next to you!