How to Make Right, Left, and U Turns

Thứ bảy - 27/04/2024 01:12

Making proper right turns, left turns, and U-turns just takes practice. When making turns, always remember to turn on your blinker, reduce your speed, and check for oncoming traffic and pedestrians. When making U-turns, make sure to check...

Table of contents

Making proper right turns, left turns, and U-turns just takes practice. When making turns, always remember to turn on your blinker, reduce your speed, and check for oncoming traffic and pedestrians. When making U-turns, make sure to check for road signs to see if they are allowed.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Making a Right Turn

Turn it on 100 feet (30 meters) or one whole city block before the turn. As you approach the turn, drive closer to the right side of the street. This will signal to cars that you are preparing to turn ahead.^{[1] X Research source}

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>

\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Do this by placing your foot on the brake pedal. As you reduce your speed, glance at your rear view and right-hand mirror to see if the cars behind you are slowing down.^{[2] X Research source}
If you notice that the cars behind you are not slowing down, tap your break pedal a couple times to signal that you are braking.

Advertisement

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>

\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Do this by looking into your right-hand mirror and by looking back over your right shoulder. Once your path is clear, make the right turn by turning your steering wheel to the right.^{[3] X Research source}

EXPERT TIP

Simon Miyerov
Driving Instructor
Simon Miyerov is the President and Driving Instructor for Drive Rite Academy, a driving academy based out of New York City. Simon has over 8 years of driving instruction experience. His mission is to ensure the safety of everyday drivers and continue to make New York a safer and efficient driving environment.

Simon Miyerov
Driving Instructor

Our Expert Agrees: The most important thing you have to do when you're making a U-turn is to look everywhere—look to your left, behind you, and over your right shoulder before the turn, and check your rearview mirror as you complete the turn.

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>

\n<\/p><\/div>"}

Not the left lane if you are turning into a two-lane street. Try to make your turn as tight as possible without hitting the curb. In other words, do not make a wide, sweeping turn. Making wide turns may cause you to go into the lanes of oncoming traffic.^{[4] X Research source}
Do not make a right turn from a left lane.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Turning Left

License: Creative Commons<\/a>
\n<\/p>

\n<\/p><\/div>"}

You want to do this because left turns aren’t always allowed. If you see a sign saying that a left turn is illegal, then keep driving until you can make a legal left turn.^{[5] X Research source}
For example, some traffic lights and intersections prohibit left turns.

Do this at least 100 feet (30 meters) before the actual turn. As you approach the turn, reduce your speed to 10 to 15 miles per hour (16 to 24 kph) by pressing the break pedal. Get as close to the centerline or median as possible.^{[6] X Research source}

Use the center left lane if one is available to make your left turn.
Do not attempt to make a left turn from a right lane.

Step 3 Come to a complete stop and yield to oncoming traffic.

As you are yielding, keep your wheels straight by holding your steering wheel straight. If your wheels are slightly turned to the left while waiting, you may be shoved into oncoming traffic if a car hits you from behind.^{[7] X Research source}

Step 4 Turn left once the oncoming lanes are clear.

As a rule of thumb, do not turn if oncoming vehicles are less than 200 feet (60 meters) away from you. Once the lanes are clear, you may turn into either the left or right-hand lane if you are turning into a two-lane street.^{[8] X Research source}

If you are turning into a single-lane street, make sure to not cut the corner of the oncoming traffic’s lane. In other words, do not make your left turn too tight.