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LOW RISK DRIVING |
Road Safety PLUS - by Dieter R. Fischer ISBN No. 0 09577 426 0 6 |
| 5. Manoeuvres |
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LOW RISK DRIVING |
Road Safety PLUS - by Dieter R. Fischer ISBN No. 0 09577 426 0 6 |
| 5. Manoeuvres |
40. Three-point Turns
Turning the vehicle around (a 180 degree turn) in a narrow street is best executed as a three-point-turn. Many drivers for convenience just use a driveway, which in South Australia is illegal.
The three-point turn is a basic driving skill an usually part of the driving test. Unlike parallel parking this manoeuvre requires less judgment, but rather a step-by-step approach.
It is vital that you select a suitable place where you have clear visibility to see approaching traffic and you can be seen, blocking part of the road. Don't attempt a to turn around near bends, crests or busy intersections. Stay clear of posts, trees etc, which may damage your bumper bar, should you misjudge the space available.
Before turning around stop the vehicle at the kerb (checking the rear-view mirror and giving a left signal first). Do not stop illegally in driveways, bus stops or other ‘no standing’ areas.
Check the road is clear, give way to all traffic; especially check over your shoulder (Step 1) for traffic entering from a side road or driveway (see U-Turn).
The 3-point turn - 8 steps:
1. Check mirrors, indicate right, check shoulder* This step is a basic procedure, every time before pulling away from the kerb (or changing lanes). 2. While slowly moving forward, turn the steering wheel quickly to full right lock. ‘Full lock’ means turning the wheel as far as it goes. Never turn the steering wheel while the vehicle is stationary. 3. Just before reaching the kerb at the other side turn the wheel to full left lock, if possible. Note, the way the wheel is facing (photo on right). The further the wheel has been turned, the less space is required.
4. Stop! Check the road again in both directions. If traffic approaches, use common sense. Most times drivers will wait. If they don't - You must give way. 5. Look behind before moving and while you reverse slowly. If you did not manage full left lock at step 3, complete full left lock now. 6. As you approach the other kerb, approx 1 meter before, turn the steering wheel back to the right, while still moving very slowly.
7. Stop! Check the road again in both direction Traffic may or may not stop for you. Cyclists take very little space to move through and you can not hear them. 8. Complete the turn when safe. Stay left after turning. Acknowledge (wave), if another motorist waited for you to complete your manoeuvre. During a three-point-turn, or any other slow speed manoeuvre, consider the 'landscape'. Seldom is a road totally flat. The road surface may be tilted (cambered) or raised in the centre (the crown of the road) and fall away toward the edge. This is to allow water to run off in heavy rain.
At steps 2 and 5, in most cases, the car has to 'climb' out of the gutter. Therefore, use the handbrake and use more acceleration initially. Halfway across the road (over the crown) the vehicle gathers speed. At this point start to apply break pressure.
In a manual vehicle this requires additional skills, as follows:
- Step 2 and 5: Give sufficient power, but control the speed by pushing down the clutch a little. This keeps the vehicle moving at very slow speed.
- Steps 4 and 7: Apply the handbrake.
- As the car moves from one side to another, over the crown of the road, feel when the point is reached, where the vehicle 'rolls downhill'.
- Press clutch down and control the speed by applying gentle brake pressure.
If there is a few seconds time lapse between checking the road and actually moving away from the kerb (after steps 1, 4 and 7), check the road again just prior to moving off. Much can happen in 5 seconds.
Disclaimer: Above information is for Australian learner drivers. Regulations could vary in your part of the world. We take no responsibility for any accidents, failed driving tests, even if the advise in this book has been followed. We recommend to use above information in conjunction with a professional driving instructor.
