-On the approach to a roundabout, absorb all the information
you see including -traffic signs, (junction boards) traffic
lights and . road markings which will point -you to the
correct lane. Listen carefully to the examiner's instruction
:
-
Wording for the approach " At the roundabout
"
-
Take the next road off to the left
-
Follow the road ahead, thats the 2nd / 3rd exit
-
Take the road leading off to the right, 3rd / 4th exit
-
Approaching double mini roundabouts, you will be warned
of the layout.
When
taking the first exit, signal left and approach
in the left-hand lane, keep to the left on the roundabout and
continue signalling left until you leave.
Going
ahead, (Do not signal entering the junction) If there
are no road markings, either left or right lane could be used
. If you intend to take the 2nd exit and enter by the left ,
keep this lane until you are past the 1st junction, signal left
, and leave by the same lane. Drifting from one lane to another
is a position fault and could be lethal.
The
roadleading off to the right (exit
3),- approach in the right lane signalling right ,
emerge safely, On some cars the right signal may cancel here
when the car is steered left entering the roundabout, make sure
you re-signal as soon as you can. The right signal must be maintained
through the roundabout until you are about half way across exit
2, then the left signal is applied to exit. In addition to a
mirror check before changing direction, get a quick glance over
your left shoulder. Be aware of how close drivers come in behind
you.
Give
priority to traffic approaching from your right,
watch drivers already on the roundabout who may not be signalling
correctly or at all. Insure
your exit is clear before you emerge, the car in front
may
not have moved off yet ! Signal timing is crucial. Mini-roundabouts
- Approach these in the same way as normal roundabouts. All
vehicles MUST pass round the central markings except large vehicles
which are physically incapable of doing so. Remember, there
is less space to manoeuvre and less time to signal. Avoid making
U-turns at mini-roundabouts. Beware of others doing this.
Unmarked
or unguarded crossroads :
Basically
an intersection where no driver has priority, and extra
care should be applied. As the photo example shows, this
particular junction has very restricted views ( closed ),
and you should go through in first gear controlling the
clutch, until you can see enough to make a safe emerge.
You can STOP easily at this speed if you
have to. An open junction with good visibility can be approached
in 2nd gear covering the brake and clutch. Where you have
more parked cars, it becomes more difficult to spot the
junction in time. Look for gaps in hedge rows, gaps between
stationary cars and street name plates on lamposts and the
side of buildings - this will help you to realise there
is a road crossing ahead.
22
Judgement when :Overtaking
/ Meeting traffic / Crossing traffic
Sometimes
you have to slow down first before you overtake, so you can see
enough. Take into account junctions ahead of you before you overtake,
there may be a car emerging from one that you cannot see - the
emerging driver will not see you ! Do not be tempted to overtake
just because the driver in front of you does so. Once the car
in front overtakes another vehicle, your view of the oncoming
traffic is obscured, until he moves back in to the left. If you
have had to hold back, drop a gear for faster acceleration, Final
mirror check - someone behind may step out as well as
you! Accelerate quickly past, butdo NOT cut in frontof
the driver . See him in the left half of your
mirror before you move in to the left again.
Meeting
traffic - Exercise good judgement when entering new roads. Where
the road narrows, you might have to slow down and go through
tight spaces as little as 10 MPH, or stop to allow a
larger vehicle through . Parked vehicles on the right
side of the road also present danger to you as oncoming traffic
will get pushed closer to your side of the road. Be careful
in the side roads where there are sharp bends, as you approach,
you may be confronted by an oncoming car on the wrong side due
to the position of stationery cars - be slow enough to be able
to stop or until you can see further ahead.
Crossing
traffic - Insure you have read the speed of any oncoming cars
accurately before you decide to turn right. If you are turning
into a side road on the right, watch for pedestrians approaching
the corner you wish to turn into. You may have read the speed
of the oncoming traffic and you think it may be on to turn,
but visualise a pedestrian just starting to walk out - do they
always check first ? If you start your turn and have to stop
for the pedestrian, this will leave you stopped directly in
the path of the oncoming car !
23
Positioning :
Normal
driving - Position your car on the left in normal driving, unless
you wish to turn right, or you need to move out for other hazards,
for example parked cars, cyclists, or children
playing near the road. When you complete your overtake,
check the mirrors, then move into the left as soon as you can.
If you have overtaken a slow moving vehicle and are near a bend
or crest on a two lane dual carriageway , stay out until your
view gets longer (there may be parked cars ahead). The only
objection to this would be if there is a driver coming up on
you fast from behind, and he may take the left lane - get there
first - safely. Mirrors will help you to anticipate how early
you have to act.
Lane
discipline - Make sure when in busy traffic, that you do not
drift from one lane to another, especially near bends and tight
turns like roundabouts. If you have the correct speed for the
situation, you should not drift into another driver's lane -
the other vehicle may be a lot bigger than yours ! Use the exterior
mirrors a lot more. Remember the advantage of looking over your
shoulder when you leave a roundabout.
24
Pedestrian crossings :
On
the approach, Zig
zag lines show no overtaking and no parking rules
apply, in addition, they also warn you that pedestrians operate
this crossing. You can then anticipate the lights will change
after the person pushes the button. In this instance, you are
prepared to stop . Some lights change to amber quicker than
others. Consider how the zig zag lines can help if there are
high sided parked vehicles just before the lights _ you will
not know the colour until you are closer ! Be slow enough to
stop.
When
the amber light is flashing, you MUST give
way to any pedestrians on the crossing. If the amber
light is flashing and there are no pedestrians on the crossing,
you may proceed with caution.You MUST NOT park on a crossing
or in the area covered by the zig-zag lines. You MUST NOT overtake
the moving vehicle nearest the crossing or the vehicle nearest
the crossing which has stopped to give way to pedestrians
25
Position for normal stops
You
will be asked by the examiner to " pull up on the left at
a conveniant place ". As soon as you are
given an instruction, check the mirror, ask yourself : is there
a signal required to warn following traffic ? If there is no following
traffic do not signal, especially if you are near junctions. If
you intend to pull up just past the next junction, it could be
misleading if a signal is used. Pull up in a safe position with
both nearside wheels parallel to the kerb and not too wide : Do
not park opposite parked cars ( if you are on a very narrow street
), at a bus stop, too near a junction, over a driveway, or near
the brow of a hill . Highway
code rules for parking
26
Awareness and planning
Think
well in advance of situations so you can anticipate what other
drivers are going to do .Their action will cause a reaction in
you. As we mentioned before, other road users may be more vulnerable
than you : children, the elderly, cyclists, horse riders and motorcyclists.
Act in good time and give them plenty of room.
27
Ancillary controls
Make
sure before
you set off, you know how to
locate and operate :
heater, demister, lights, horn and wipers.
You will be marked on your ability to find these ancillary controls
quickly, as the weather conditions may change while on test.
You could also bemarked on your loss
of control whilst operatingancillary switches.