Dealing with any type of junction

Dealing with any type of Junction

The advice that follows is to be applied when dealing with any type of Junctions Roundabouts included.

Junctions, by definition are places where traffic of all types will cross. Roundabouts are a type of road junction that is designed to help keep traffic moving. In road safety terms, if we get it right at junctions then we will be sure not to be become a crash statistic.
Once you have performed your Mirror Signal change down to 2^nd gear about 3 to 4 cars length before the junction. If you have no vision to the right and left until you arrive at the give way/stop line prepare to stop and then assess how safe it is to enter.

Take effective observation before emerging you must make sure it is safe to go on before you move into, or cross, any junction. This calls for accurate assessment of road and traffic conditions. So look all round for traffic and keep a special lookout for motorcyclists and cyclists who are not always easy to see. Be extra careful where there is a bend or hill or where something blocks your view.

              Be ready to Give Way                 Be ready to STOP     

As you approach a junction you need to assess what type of junction it is, and plan how you intend to deal with it. To help you do this look for the following:

• the amount of traffic at the junction
• warning signs
• road markings
• direction signs
• 'Give way' and 'Stop' signs
• traffic lights

Assessing Traffic Speed

Remember you must be able to pull out of a junction without forcing other vehicles to slow down or change position. On the other hand you must not hesitate and miss a valid opportunity to pull out. To make such judgments takes a driver sometime to learn. However weather an experienced driver or not it is likely that you have experience in crossing a road on foot. So, when waiting to pull out into traffic ask yourself this question - given the current road traffic situation would I cross the road on foot? If the answer is yes then it is likely to be safe to pull out in your car.

PRIORITY AT JUNCTIONS

Give way signs, road markings, stop signs and traffic lights indicate priorities. On an uncontrolled junction, where there are no signs or markings indicating priority all vehicles have equal priority. If you encounter an uncontrolled junction you should slow down, look for traffic in all directions and be prepared to stop and give way if necessary.

At Junctions in general it’s not only a question of who has priority but a question of staying safe!

Dealing with Pedestrians at Junctions - If you turn into a road that pedestrians have already started to cross then they have priority and you must give way!

Basic rule to a roundabout:

Give way to all vehicles to your right that are about to enter or already circulating on the roundabout.

- If you are to follow the road ahead:
... No signal when you enter, stay to the left and indicate when you are to exit.

- If you are to turn right:
Indicate to the right when approaching, stay to the right when entering and throughout the roundabout, when you reach the last exit before the one you want - check your inside and left mirror (MSM) indicate left and exit ... If your indicator switches off whilst circulating in the roundabout you must put it back on until is time to indicate to exit.

- If you are turning left:
Indicate left on the approach, stay to the left and if it’s safe exit to the left.
Once you have performed your Mirror Signal change down to 2^nd gear about 3 to 4 cars length before the junction. If you have no vision to the right and left until you arrive at the give way/stop line prepare to stop and then assess how safe it is to enter.

If you have a clear field of vision as you approach the roundabout start the procedure described above, keep scanning the roundabout and, as you arrive at your give way line if you do not see any vehicles up to 3 cars length behind their give way line proceed. 


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