Examkin

Question

Difficulty: HardJunctions and Intersections

You are driving on a single carriageway main road and intend to turn right into a side street. An oncoming large lorry in the opposite lane has slowed down and is signalling left into the same side street, which obstructs your view of oncoming traffic behind it. In what chronological sequence should you carry out this manoeuvre safely?

  1. 1Check your interior mirror and right door mirror, then apply your right-turn indicator in good time.
  2. 2Position your vehicle just to the left of the centre white line and reduce speed smoothly.
  3. 3Bring your vehicle to a halt at the point of turn with the front wheels pointing straight ahead.
  4. 4Look past and behind the turning lorry to ensure no hidden oncoming vehicles, motorcyclists, or cyclists are overtaking it.
  5. 5Complete the turn into the side street once the oncoming lane and pedestrian crossing points are entirely clear.

Answer

The correct chronological sequence begins with checking the interior and right door mirrors and applying the right-turn indicator, followed by positioning just left of the centre line with smooth deceleration, bringing the vehicle to a halt at the point of turn with wheels pointing straight ahead, checking beyond the turning lorry for hidden oncoming road users, and finally completing the right turn once the oncoming lane and pedestrian crossing areas are completely clear.
Navigating a right turn across traffic when vision is restricted by a turning large vehicle requires strict compliance with the Mirror-Signal-Manoeuvre (MSM) and Position-Speed-Look (PSL) routines. Early mirror checks and indication must precede deceleration and positioning. When approaching the turn, the driver must halt with wheels straight, wait for the large vehicle to clear the view, check for obscured road users (such as motorcycles filtering or following), and only complete the turn once the oncoming lane and the junction mouth are fully visible and clear.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Check interior and right exterior mirrors, then apply the right indicator.
Assesses following traffic and warns road users behind and ahead of your intended change of direction.
The Mirror-Signal-Manoeuvre (MSM) routine mandates early rearward observation and clear communication before adjusting speed or road position.
2
Position the vehicle just to the left of the centre line while braking smoothly.
Establishes correct lane discipline at the approach to the junction without crossing the centre line prematurely.
Highway Code Rule 179 requires drivers turning right to position themselves just left of the middle of the road or in the dedicated turning lane.
3
Pause/stop at the junction entry point with straight steering wheels.
Gives way to oncoming traffic while maintaining a safe vehicle stance.
Turning the steering wheel before moving risks pushing the vehicle into oncoming traffic if hit from behind.
4
Scan around the turning lorry for masked oncoming road users, particularly cyclists and motorcyclists.
Identifies hidden hazards emerging from behind the large vehicle's visual obstruction.
Large goods vehicles mask vehicles travelling behind them that may continue straight ahead or overtake.
5
Drive across the opposing carriageway and enter the side road when safe.
Executes the manoeuvre safely without impeding oncoming traffic or crossing pedestrians.
Highway Code Rules 170 and 180 state you must not turn across the path of oncoming traffic until it is safe and must give way to pedestrians crossing the road you are turning into.

Key Concept

MSM Routine and Hazard Masking by Large Vehicles at Junctions
Estimated Time:1m 30s
Rate this question

Topics

Junctions and Intersections

More questions from this topic