Online driving tutorials
Online driving tutorial - Approaching Left
Automatic learners click here
Approaching is when you turn from the major road into the minor. This tutorial deals with approaching left. For those practising 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. You might want to look at emerging left (click here for the tutorial) too to help with this tactic.
When driving, perhaps we'll see a warning sign telling us about minor roads ahead, but not always. Look for breaks in the pavement, rad markings and gaps between the houses to help visualise where your turn is. We will more than likely see hazard lines on the floor; 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. Something like 120/140 yards (this is assuming you're travelling at 20/30 mph. At higher speeds, this will have to happen much further from the junction).
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.
The hard bit
Now we need to adjust the speed. Early light braking, so to warn the cars behind what we're doing. Get to 1012 mph 1 to 2 car lengths before the turn.
We primarily adjust the speed with the foot brake. if we're in 3rd gear, we come down to 2nd and come off the clutch before the turn. This is to assist with engine braking and controls the car's speed better.
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 (image 1) and when it disappears behind the front left pillar (photo 2) 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.
