“In this lesson, you will learn about following the road ahead at crossroads where you do not have priority. The key points are:
– Using the hazard routine when approaching.
– Dealing with traffic on the main road.
– Dealing with road users opposite.
– Safety checks after the junction.
For a safe approach to the junction, use the hazard routine.
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 as an early warning signal? As part of your hazard routine, you will always consider a signal. Because this driver is going straight ahead, a direction signal is not needed However, the brake lights signal that the car is slowing and stopping.
When going straight ahead, keep your normal road position if there are no obstructions.
When going ahead, unless there is a very open view into the main road, you will normally need to stop, if only for a short time in order to check that the road is clear. As a general rule, you will also need to stop if there are any vehicles waiting to emerge from the road opposite, again to give yourself time to assess the situation.
As, with any junctions controlled by give way or stop lines, you must be 100% sure that you can emerge safely without causing danger or inconvenience to traffic on the main road. You must not cause any vehicle to slow down or change direction, this includes bicycles.
At crossroads, look right, left and ahead at least twice before emerging. Also check your mirrors to make srue that there are no vehicles trying to pass you. Use your left door mirror to look for cyclists who may be trying to pass on the left, especially in busy traffic.
Always make sure that there is enough space for you to fully cross the main road before you start to move out. If there is a traffic jam in the road opposite, wait behind the give way line.
It’s important to remember both the road you are emerging from and the road opposite are controlled by give way lines. This means that only traffic on the main road has priority and as soon as a vehicle opposite enters the main road, you must give way, regardless of which way it is turning.
In this clip, the car with the L plate pauses to see what the red car is going to do. When the red car moves into the main road, the driver gives way. If you are not sure whether to wait or go, you must wait until you are sure, remember the basic rule, if you don’t know, don’t go.
It’s not only other vehicles that you need to look for, you must also be prepared to give way to any pedestrians who are crossing the road opposite.
After crossing the junction, check your mirrors before increasing your speed.”
