Auto driving tutorials - Emerging

Emerging left

If you're unfamiliar with how to get the car moving off, I strongly recommend developing this skill before attempting too much of this.

Emerging has more in common with stopping than with approaching.

On approach to junctions look out for road signs, such as give way triangles. To begin with, have it in your mind that you'll stop at these. Later on, when you're more proficient, you'll only have to stop if there is something to give way to.

We must always stop at stop signs. No matter how clear we believe it to be. I'd personally recommend getting into the habit of always applying the handbrake for stop lines. You'll then definitely have brought the car to a stand still.

Once again, like with approaching, we will use the M-S-M routine.

Interior mirror first to check how close the road users are behind you, then the left door mirror. Here you're looking for cyclist coming up on your left hand side.

Signal to the left, making sure you don't signal too early, as this could be misleading to others behind you and not too late so to give plenty of time to those behind to act on what they see you are doing.

You'll need to reduce your speed progressively. Practise early braking, you can do this after checking the mirrors.

Your position should not change much at first, stay in your normal driving position. Be aware that some kerbs open out at the mouth of the road and you'll be expected to maintain this gap and follow the kerb round.

At the end of the road we have give way markings. This far back we can not see if there is anything to give way to, so we have to assume we're stopping. That's why as soon as you think you have the momentum to make it to the end of the street, we come off the gas and apply the correct amout of brake to get to the end of the street.

The single biggest issue for first timers

The final car length or so before the give way lines, I feel, is the key to successful emerging. Almost everyone observes too early here. You'll do it as a passenger without even realising it. Do not look to the right too soon. If you're not looking at the give-way lines, how can you stop at them? If you're not looking at the curve of the kerb, how can you follow it round? 

Focus on following the kerb round and when the give way lines vanish under the bonnet/dashboard, this is when you'll be able to observe effectively down the street.

Keep whatever turn you've applied to the left on. You'll need this to maintain a good position coming out into the new road. 

You look left and right as many times as you need to and when you feel it's safe (when you wont slow anyone down by leaving) you come off the brake and steer around the corner.  Applying the gas when the car is facing in the correct direction down the road.

Once you've practised emerging left a dozen times or so and feel that you're able to judge the timings of coming off the gas and applying the correct level of brake, whilst also following the pavement around, you're ready for the next challenge.  Emerging right.

Emerging right

In some respect, this is easier than emerging left. Defiantly the approach to the end of the road at least. The observation and moving off at the end has a bit more to it. Make sure you're comfortable with moving off before attempting this.

Our trusty MSM routine once again is going to be used.

As always, look out for the white lines on the road telling you a hazard is approaching. You may also have signs appear informing you whats to come; give way or stop. The M-S-M routine is once again needed here. So firstly we need to check our mirrors. Interior and right door mirror, looking to see if anyone is trying to overtake you.

Signal to the right, not too early as to confuse road users behind you and not too late so people have the chance to react to your signal.

Position needs to be adjusted if the road is wide enough, just like with approaching to the right, see if you can get the white lines on the road to run along the right flank of the car by having the lines run down at the corner of the window. Keep your wheels straight.

You need to reduce your speed by gently depressing the foot-brake, don't be afraid to get on it nice and early. 

Avoid looking to the right too soon. Focus on the lines at the end of the road, make sure you get there so you can see the dangers in the new road. 

Stop at the end of the road.

The dangerous bit

This is when emerging right feels trickier than emerging left. You'll need to take effective observations. This means looking left and right as many times as is necessary. Keep looking both ways, even if you know it's clear in one direction, things can change very quickly and it's easy to fall into the trap of car watching.

When you think that you'll not make another road user slow down or change direction, that's when you emerge.

Come off the brake, apply some gas and the car will start to move. 

Keeping the wheels straight until you have crossed the halfway point of the new road, then turn the wheel to the right. 

I would do 1 to 2 hours with students purely on junctions before loading anything else upon them. This is the corner stone of driving. I'd want them to know MSM and POM like the back of their hand. If they can't make the car move away from a quiet T-junction, they'll have little or no hope of being able to deal with busy roundabouts. Build up your confidence and muscle memory on quiet back roads to being with, then go further afield.

End of the road position tip

If you're struggling to find the end of the road, try looking out of your window for this reference point. When the give way lines are just under your mirror, you're there.