You are driving along an urban major road and plan to turn left into a side road. A cyclist is travelling behind you on your left, and pedestrians are waiting at the pavement edge to cross the entrance of the side road. In what chronological sequence should you carry out the following actions to safely complete the turn?
- 1Check your interior mirror and left door mirror to determine the cyclist's speed and distance.
- 2Signal left in good time while maintaining a straight course along your lane.
- 3Adjust your speed and hold back behind the cyclist if they are alongside or likely to reach the junction first.
- 4Slow down or stop before the turn to give priority to the pedestrians waiting to cross the side road.
- 5Perform a final nearside blind-spot check and steer smoothly into the side road once the crossing point is clear.
Answer
The correct sequence starts with checking interior and left door mirrors, followed by signalling left in good time, holding back behind the cyclist to avoid cutting across them, yielding to pedestrians waiting to cross the side road, and finally making a final blind-spot check before completing the turn.
Safe execution of a left turn into a minor road follows the Mirror-Signal-Manoeuvre (MSM) routine while respecting the Highway Code Hierarchy of Road Users. The driver must first check rear and nearside mirrors to locate following traffic, then signal their intention. Speed must be moderated to hold back behind any cyclist proceeding straight ahead (Rule H3), followed by yielding to pedestrians waiting to cross the junction mouth (Rule H2 and Rule 170). Once all vulnerable road users are clear and a final blind-spot check is made, the turn can be completed safely.
Step-by-Step Solution
Key Concept
Applying the MSM routine alongside updated Highway Code junction priority rules (Hierarchy of Road Users Rules H2 and H3).
Estimated Time:1m 15s