JUNCTIONS
T-JUNCTIONS AND CROSSROADS
Once you have mastered the basics outlined in the first lesson page and you start to feel confident with moving off, steering in the correct road position, changing gears and stopping by the side of the road, then it’s time to progress to T-junctions and crossroads. These situations require you to know who has the priority (ie who goes first)
The signs and road markings shown above are some of the basic ones you will need to see and understand in the early stages of your tuition. If you haven’t already got one, go and buy The Highway Code or download the App to your phone or computer.
On the lessons I will guide you through how to approach and turn left/right from the main road into the side road and how to emerge left/right from the side road into the main road. Also, how to go ahead and turn left/right at crossroads. We will be using the sequence Mirror Signal Manoeuvre (MSM) at all junctions and the Prepare Observe Go (POG) sequence if we have to stop.
ROUNDABOUTS
While T-junctions and crossroads tend to make the traffic stop and start quite a lot, roundabouts are designed to help keep the traffic moving as much as possible. The general principle is that everyone approaching the roundabout gives way to the traffic coming from the right. Therefore, as you approach, watch carefully to the right and only proceed when there is a safe gap. Use the MSM routine to inform all other road users and pedestrians which exit you are taking. And use POG if you end up having to stop or go at a snails pace.
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1.When taking the 1st exit signal left on approach
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2.When taking the 2nd exit ahead only signal left as you pass the 1st exit
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3.When taking an exit to the right, signal right on the approach and switch it to left as you pass the exit before the one you want.
Roundabouts come in many different shapes and sizes from mini roundabouts to multi-lane roundabouts, some with more than 3 other exits, and can often be very confusing to start with but the principle of ‘give way to the right’ applies to them all. You will love them... eventually!
TRAFFIC LIGHTS
With roundabouts being designed to keep the flow of traffic moving, traffic lights are designed to control the flow of traffic. Advances in technology, such as cameras and pressure pads in the road, mean that the traffic lights have become very ‘intelligent’. The traffic lights are fed information well before you get to them about how many vehicles are approaching, their speed and separation distance from all directions. Basically, they know you’re coming! Keep this in mind when approaching and it will help you anticipate whether they are about to change.
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1.Red: means stop
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2.Red & Amber: stop but prepare to go
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3.Green: means go
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4.Amber: means prepare to stop
How to approach Traffic lights:
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1.Red light: Slow down and be ready to stop at the solid white line (or in the queue) and at the same time be thinking about the need to change to a lower gear for when the lights change. Apply the hand brake if waiting.
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2.Amber light: Slow down and prepare to stop. Do not attempt to speed up to try and get through before it changes to red. Very tempting I know but 3 points and a hefty fine could be coming your way through the post!
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3.Green light: If it stays green then continue. Again very tempting to speed up and try to get through but you MUST be ready to stop if the light changes. Always slow down on approach until you have reached the ‘point of no return’ (ie the point when it would be un-safe to stop)
As with T-junctions, crossroads and roundabouts, there are also many varieties of traffic lights. These range from the basic lights at a t-junction to multi-lane intersections, to lights controlling the flow of traffic joining motorways. We will cover them all as the lessons progress.
