I've noticed a new way to do a left turn onto a busy four lane highway near my home. You stop at the stop sign, look both ways, then turn left onto the traffic island. Once there, you check behind and move right into the fast lane if there is room. If not, you stop and wait until there is room to proceed.
Drivers are trading risk for time. The safest way to turn here is to turn right, go to the nearest intersection and double back. The trouble is, that means adding about 10 minutes to the trip.
Through Traffic Will Not Slow Down
I've often thought that selfish drivers on the highway can't see a reason to slow from the previous 90 km/h speed to the posted 60 km/h speed here until they are trying to enter the highway from a side road here. The trouble is, they don't seem to remember that difficulty when the duty is to slow for other drivers.
Through Traffic Will Not Yield
When the driver on the side road stops and yields to traffic on the highway close enough to be a hazard, the rules then allow them to proceed with caution. Traffic on the highway must now yield and let the driver enter. Never rely on right of way in this situation as it is unlikely that traffic on the highway will yield.
Trying to Make a Safe Left Turn
Don't make a practice of this new method of turning left. It's illegal! One must always make the turn to arrive in the first available lane to the right of the centre line before you leave the intersection.
Learn More
- Turning at Intersections - Section 165(2) Motor Vehicle Act
- Entering Through Highway - Section 175 Motor Vehicle Act
- Left Turns - Learn to Drive Smart manual, page 50
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