“When emerging to go ahead at crossroads, use your mirror-signal-manouevre routine on the approach and maintain your normal roaad position.
Use the 1-2-3 method for observation. 1 – Look right. 2 – Look ahead. 3 – Look left.
Check the main road by looking right and left as much as possible, scanning the road ahead as you do. So when the main road is clear, make sure that the road ahead is clear enough for you to complete your manoeuvre. If there are pedestrians crossing the road or if there is not enoguh space to fully enter the new road, perhaps because of a traffic queue, do not start to emerge. Wait until it it’s safe.
If a driver in the road opposite wishes to turn to their right and cross in front of you, they will usually give way but remember that there is no rule that says they have to, so you must be prepared to give way to oncoming vehicles if necessary.
Cars opposite who intend to turn left, that is to your right, or go straight ahead should not affect you when you are going ahead on the main road. You still need to take care, there may be pedestrian and cyclist activity at crossroads in town. Also, because there are two side roads to consider.
The risk of someone pulling out without care is doubled. Watch out for the clues that a crossroad is coming up and use your mirror-signal-manoeuvre routine on approach. Check your mirrors and ease off the gas to scan the road left, right and ahead as you approach, rememebring easy as 1-2-3. Check 1 and 2 in case vehicles on the side road don’t stop and 3 to make sure that the approaching drivers are not going to turn in front of you.
If you can’t see clearly, perhaps because of parked vehicles, reduce your speed further until you are sure that it is safe to carry on through the junction, perhaps selecting a lower gear.
This becomes especially important on unmarked crossroads. As you pass the crossroad, check your mirrors again before increasing speed. The key points are:
– Use your mirror-signal-manoeuvre routine on approach to the crossroad.
– Use the easy as 1-2-3 method to remember to check each road.
– There might be more pedestrian or cyclist activity, especially in town.
– When you are on the main road, ease off the gas and be prepared to slow down further – If necessary, remember that two side roads means twice te danger.
– Take special care when going ahead an unmarked crossroads.
– Check your mirrors again as you pass through the crossroad.”
