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-Roundabouts :

-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.
HIGHWAY CODE RULE 160  - 166
 

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 road leading 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.
UNMARKED  CROSSROADS
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, but do NOT cut in front of the driver . See him in the left half of your mirror before you move in to the left again.
RULE 138 - 145

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 be marked on your loss of control whilst operating ancillary switches.
DEMISTER CONTROLS WIPER / OFF / INTERMITANT / LO SPEED / HI SPEED
 
 
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