Is my turning procedure correct?
Posted by PerformanceFar7245@reddit | driving | View on Reddit | 6 comments
Let's say I'm about to turn right onto a street. I will pull up and stop. I check my rear view mirror, my side mirror, and over my right shoulder and see nothing. I then do my traffic check looking right, left until it is clear, and then right again and I turn. If it's a moving turn like turning right at a green light I don't do the whole mirror and shoulder check because my eyes are glued to the road ahead of me as I'm moving. Is my approach to turning when I'm moving or not moving correct?
fitfulbrain@reddit
It's very wrong because you don't know what you are doing.
Before the turn you signal so the drivers behind you slow down. That's mandatory. You can do it as early as you want as long as there can be no misunderstanding. You also slow down so they will also see your brake lights.
What are you looking for from the rear view mirror? The car behind you doesn't affect your decision. What are you looking for at the side mirror? Looking over your shoulder? There's nothing there, no cars, no pedestrians unless they are contemplating suicide. If there's a bike lane you do the lane change procedure when the lane marker is broken. (But it's pretty difficult for a bike to be at your blind spot and you would have seen them before that.)
You can see clearly if your right is clear. You only need to look at the left side to see if there are cars coming up to the lane you are turning into. Then look at where you are going while turning.
You also do not need to stop completely always. But since it's a 90 deg turn, you should be near 0 mph.
MikeP001@reddit
You should always do a shoulder check when changing direction. Turning right there could be a cyclist or pedestrian about to cross. Even more important if there's a bike lane. On your left sometimes an idiot will ignore your turn signal and try to pass.
Practice doing it all in one smooth motion rather than individual checks, your brain can pick up problems as you scan and process before you start your turn. Scan as you approach your turn to avoid hitting pedestrians or other obstacles. The idea is to train yourself until it's second nature.
edkarls@reddit
If you have the right of way and a green light, you should not stop unless there is a pedestrian crossing (in which case you wouldn’t have the right of way).
Electronic_Elk2029@reddit
What? !?!?
Just look around. There are only two things that could happen. A car is coming from your left or a car across the street is turning left. Why are you looking behind you.
sleepsinshoes@reddit
Should be left right left right. Always check traffic coming towards you from the left first. That's the most dangerous. Then right to be sure your lane is clear and no one is crossing or about to cross. Left again and start to move if clear. Then right as you go to be safe and not squish anyone or hit anything. This goes for a rolling turn or a stop and turn.
Mirrors are incidental glaces as you look both ways. Watch for idiot bikers on your right and don't squish them.
theFooMart@reddit
You confuse me. First you say:
Like what's the point of checking your mirrors? Do you refuse to turn if there's someone behind you or something?
Then you say:
So you're only looking in front of you. You don't need to be looking in your mirrors, but you should still be watching for other traffic. Sure, they have a red light, and it would be their fault if they run the red light, but that's not going to make the crash hurt any less.
It all seems a bit backwards to me. Being worried about traffic that isn't a problem, yet ignoring the traffic that could be a problem.