“In this lesson, you will learn about dealing with unmarked crossroads.
The key points are:
– Using the hazard routine when approaching.
– Dealing with traffic on the other roads.
– Safety checks after passing the junction.
For a safe approach to the junction, use the hazard routine.
Mirrors – As soon as you see the junction, check your mirrors. What are the drivers behind doing? Is it safe to slow down? Do you need to activate the brake lights to warn drivers behind that you might be slowing or stopping.
Signal – Because this driver is going straight on, a direction signal is not needed. The brake lights give a warning to following drivers.
Position – When going straight ahead, keep your normal road position if there are no obstructions.
Speed – As you approach an unmarked junction, you must be prepared to stop if necessary. Therefore, your speed has to allow for this,
When there are no road markings, no one has priority. This does not mean that you will always have to give way, but does mean that you must be ready to give way if necessary.
You might think or even know that you are on the main road, but drivers on the other road might be thinking that they are on the main road as well. So, you need to be very careful.
As you approach an unmarked junction, look for traffic on the other roads. Are the other vehicles going to give way to you? Here, the blue car approaches very quickly. Perhaps the driver thinks that he has priority. Approaching this quickly can be dangerous and can cause alarm to other drivers to be safe.
The car with the L plate stops to give way. You must always be 100% sure that either the road si clear or that other drivers or riders are giving way to you before proceeding through an unmarked junction.
Every situation needs to be judged on what’s happening at the time, however there is a simpel rule that you can always apply. Never assume that you have priority. If you remember this and you are prepared to give way, you should always be safe.
After you have passed through the junction, check your mirrors to make sure that it’s safeto increase your speed before accelerating up to a safe normal driving speed.”
