Chapter 9 Turning 9-1 TURNING BASICS A. Complete each of the following sentences by writing the correct word or phrase in the space provided. 1. A turn is one in which you may turn only when you have a green arrow. 2. If you are turning on a solid green light from a turn lane, you are making a turn. 3. The the turn, the slower you should be driving. 4. If you are making a right turn, you should move to the side of the far-right lane. 5. Keep your on throughout the time that you are preparing for and making a turn. B. What things should you be looking for when preparing to turn? C. When should you signal a turn? D. Select the word or phrase that best completes each of the following sentences and write the letter in the space provided. 1. is 2. 3. 4. A turn not made from a turn lane and where there are no arrows to control your turn a(n): a. semiprotected turn. b. unprotected turn. c. protected turn. d. fully protected turn. Preparing for a turn should begin: a. at the previous intersection. b. from 500 feet (150 m) away. c. well before you reach the intersection. d. when you signal. When preparing to make a left turn, you should move: a. just to the left of the center line. b. just to the right of the center line. c. to the right side of the far-right lane. d. just to the right of the left curbside. As you proceed through a turn, you should: a. accelerate. b. slow down. c. keep your speed constant. d. switch lanes. 82
5. When you should begin a turn depends on: a. your speed. b. the width of the traffic lanes. c. your car s turning radius. d. All of the above. E. CHECK IT OUT. As a passenger, go for a ride that includes both rural and urban roadways. Note whether left turns at each signal-controlled intersection are fully protected, semiprotected, or unprotected. Which type of turn is the most common? At what type of intersection are you most likely to make each type of turn? In the space provided, write down what you discover. 9-2 LEFT TURNS A. For each of the following sentences, circle T if it is true and F if it is false. 1. T F Driver miscommunication is a major factor in many crashes. 2. T F When turning left from a two-way street without turn lanes onto another twoway street, you should turn from the far-left lane. 3. T F When preparing to turn left on city streets, you should allow a gap of at least 15 seconds. 4. T F When you are making an unprotected left turn, oncoming traffic must yield to you. 5. T F When turning left, you must always finish in the far-left lane of the cross street. 6. T F As you turn the steering wheel during a turn, you should slow down. 7. T F Left-turn lanes are often created out of center turn lanes. 8. T F If a left-turn lane is full, you are permitted to wait in the center turn lane to let through traffic by. 9. T F Three lefts make a right. 10. T F Turning left in heavy traffic calls for the Four C s : crawling, communication, confidence, and cooperation. 83
B. What makes left turns dangerous? C. If you are preparing to turn left and are unsure about an oncoming driver s turning intentions, what should you do? D. In the space provided, describe the proper way to execute each of the following types of left turns. 1. Two-way street onto two-way street: 2. Two-way street onto one-way street: 3. One-way street onto two-way street: 4. One-way street onto one-way street: 84
E. When preparing to make a left turn, why is it important to keep your wheels straight? F. What precautions should you take when entering a left-turn lane from a through lane? G. In the space provided, describe how you would apply the SAFE method to avoid conflicts caused by drivers who steal left turns. H. In the space provided, describe how you can use the Four C s to turn left in heavy traffic. 85
I. CHECK IT OUT. Observe a major intersection of two multilane roadways from a safe spot. Note how many drivers improperly execute left turns and the kinds of errors they commit. Do they turn into the wrong lane? Do they wait for an insufficient gap in traffic? Do they fail to yield to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians? Do they go too far into the intersection, or not far enough, when waiting to turn? Do they steal left turns? If there are turn lanes, do they enter the lanes illegally, too soon, or too late? In the space provided, write down what you discover. 9-3 RIGHT TURNS A. Complete each of the following sentences by writing the correct word or phrase in the space provided. 1. Unless otherwise indicated with pavement markings or street signs at the intersection, a right turn always begins with your vehicle in the lane. 2. When preparing to turn right, keep in mind that through traffic may approach from the at high speeds, especially if the signal is turning yellow. 3. When turning right, you should allow a gap of seconds on high-speed roadways. 4. When turning right, you must compensate for the fact that your right rear wheel will have a smaller than your right front wheel. 5. Turning right on a red light is generally permitted in every jurisdiction in North America except and. B. In the space provided, describe the proper way to execute each of the following types of right turns. 1. Onto a two-way street: 86
2. Onto a one-way street: C. When making a right turn, what dangers do you face on your right side? D. When making a right turn, what dangers do you face on your left side? E. When making a right turn, what dangers ahead do you face? F. CHECK IT OUT. Observe a major intersection of two multilane roadways from a safe spot. Note how many drivers improperly execute right turns and the kinds of errors they commit. Do they turn into the wrong lane? Do they wait for an insufficient gap in traffic? Do they fail to yield to oncoming vehicles and pedestrians? Do they fail to watch out for bicyclists and motorcyclists? Do they swing wide left? In the space provided, write down what you discover. 87
9-4 REVERSING YOUR DIRECTION A. Select the word or phrase that best completes each of the following sentences and write the letter in the space provided. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. It is safest to execute a two-point turn from: a. a driveway on your side of the street. b. the nearest cross street. c. a driveway on the opposite side of the street. d. the shoulder. Which of the following is not a technique to reverse your direction? a. Reverse, Then Forward b. Reverse, Then Turn c. Three-point turn d. U-turn When making a U-turn, you should allow at least in both directions. a. 200 feet (60 m) b. 300 feet (90 m) c. 500 feet (150 m) d. 1,000 feet (300 m) Three-point turns should be restricted to: a. dead-end streets. b. emergencies. c. rural roads. d. All of the above. The safest way to reverse your direction is to: a. execute a two-point turn. b. execute a three-point turn. c. execute a U-turn. d. drive around the block. B. Using the following illustration as a guide, describe each step in Reverse, Then Forward. 1. 88
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. C. Using the following illustration as a guide, describe each of the steps in Forward, Then Reverse. 1. 89
2. 3. 4. 5. 6. D. What precautions should you take before executing a U-turn? E. Using the following illustration as a guide, describe each of the steps in executing a three-point turn. 90
1. 2. 3. 4. F. CHECK IT OUT. Go to the end of a dead-end street with driveways and practice executing two-point turns, U-turns, and three-point turns. In the space provided, describe, on average, how long it took to reverse your direction with each technique and how much room you needed. 91
CROSSWORD PUZZLE: TURNING Across 6. Turn with arrow 8. Situation calling for three-point turn 9. What you should do 200 feet before the turn 12. One of the Four C s 14. Turn from turn lane but no arrow Down 1. Major factor in crashes 2. What you can avoid by scanning ahead 3. Place where right on red is not permitted 4. Many motorists left turns 5., Then Forward 7. Three of these make a left 10. Turn without lanes or arrows 11. Most hazardous type of turn 13. Required for two-point turn 14. What wheels should be when waiting to turn left 92
DRIVER S LOG: TURNING Event Date Time Where What Happened? Failed to identify sign prohibiting turn Prepared too late for turn Signaled too early before turn Signaled too late before turn Began turn too early Began turn too late Close call with vehicle during left turn Close call with pedestrian during left turn Close call with bicyclist during left turn Confused by left-turning driver opposite Started left turn in wrong lane Finished left turn in wrong lane Close call with driver turning left beside me Forgot to turn off turn signal after left turn Observed driver enter left-turn lane too early Observed driver enter right-turn lane too late Observed driver cut across virtual island to turn Observed driver use center turn lane illegally Observed driver stealing a left turn Made three rights to turn left Used Four C s to turn left in heavy traffic Close call with vehicle during right turn Close call with pedestrian during right turn Close call with bicyclist during right turn Started right turn in wrong lane Finished right turn in wrong lane Forgot to turn off turn signal after right turn Used Reverse, Then Forward Used Forward, Then Reverse Executed a U-turn Observed an illegal U-turn Executed a three-point turn Used parking lot to reverse direction 93