Online automatic driving tutorials

We've had online driving tutorials on the website for over ten years now, but these are for manual vehicles.  So now I feel it's  time to start producing automatic online driving tutorials, especially seeing as how half the instructors at the school teach in automatics.  Here are the next two lessons everyone needs to know on how to tackle junctions.

Approaching left

Approaching is when you turn from the major road into the minor.  For those practicing with friends and family, see if you can find somewhere to focus just on left turns. Looping around doing laps. Familiarity for the junctions and the roads really helps settle the learner and develop these skills. Don't go too fast.

When driving, perhaps we'll see a warning sign telling us about minor roads ahead, but not always. Look for breaks in the pavement, road markings and gaps between the houses to help visualise where your turn is. We will more than likely see hazard lines on the floor near the turn; they are the white elongated stripes down the middle of the road, advising us of a hazard or forthcoming junction.

MSM

The routine you'll be using for approaching left is the MSM routine. The first thing we need to do is check our mirrors. Interior mirror first, then the left door mirror, checking the speed and position of other road users behind us. In your left door mirror you are really looking for cyclists who could under-take you just as you make your turn, potentially knocking them off their bike.

Next, we signal to the left. Not too early or people will think we're pulling over to the side of the road. Too late and it'll not give enough time to others to respond.

Keep the car in your normal drive position, 1 metre from the left. You ideally want to remain this distance all the way around the corner so when you get into the new road, you're already in your normal driving position. Don't get pulled in early. 

Now we need to adjust the speed. Early light braking, so to warn the cars behind what we're doing. Get to 10/12 mph 1 to 2 car lengths before the turn.

We primarily adjust the speed with the foot brake. However, coming off the accelerator early will also help reduce the speed before the turn

Look into the new road as soon as you can. How sharp is the corner? What level of steering is required?  Have a high left hand on the wheel to help whip it round. 

We're also looking for other hazards in the new road. Pedestrians stepping off of pavements is a common one. Stop for those, don't try to drive around them.

Knowing when to turn the wheel can be problematic. As you approach the junction, keep an eye on the kerb and when it disappears behind the front left pillar make your turn. 

Straighten up the wheels in the new road, a quick mirror check to see if anyone is trying to over take and then make some progress.

Approaching right

This can be more challenging than turning left, however, the routine is the same, 'M-S-M'.

We MSM when on the move

Firstly on approach, look for signs that may assist you and the hazard lines on the road. Because we are moving right we need to check our interior mirror, followed by our right door mirror. Check to see if there are any cars or motorcycles trying to over-take you.

Then apply the indicator to the right, timing it correctly.

Your position, depending on the width of the road, may need to change. Drift slightly from the left and get the hazard lines running down the right flank of the car. You can use the lines on the ground to help you with this. The lines should appear close to the bottom right of the windscreen.

Your speed needs to gradually reduce. Approach speed should be between 10 to 12 mph. Use the foot-brake for this.

Oncoming cars

The looking section of the routine has more to it than approaching left. When turning right we must consider the cars coming towards us. If you could cross the road walking without being run over, then you can drive across. Remember, you never want to make another car slow down or change direction for you. If you do have to stop, that's fine. 

The point of turn for approaching right is crucial. Make sure you do not cut the corner of the new road. To avoid this, hold off with your turn and wait until the front of the car is level with the hazard lines of the new road. If you can't visualise this, wait until those lines extend out and hit the top of the right door mirror.

Cutting the corner can cause many problems for road users exiting the new road. When you make your turn, have your right hand high on the steering wheel to give maximum leverage and try your best to get a 90 degree angle into the new road.

Start to take the turn off half way round the bend, straighten the wheels on the road, squeeze down on the gas, make some progress and finish with a mirror check.

Things to watch

Position. It's very tempting to drift from the left the moment you're given instructions to turn right. Make sure you use your mirrors and signal first. Most roads aren’t wide enough to take up this new position, if it's a narrow road, stay on your side in your normal driving position for making the turn. Otherwise you'll be driving on the wrong side of the road!

Corner cutting

Everyone wants the junction over and done with, but don't be too eager to complete it. This usually leads to drifting out of position, being on the wrong side of the road, cutting the corner and then not being in your normal driving position for several car lengths in the new road. Remember to be angular with the turn and hold off until the last moment.