Y junctions

Introduction
At this stage of your training your:-
  • P.O.M routine (moving off)
  • Improving clutch control
  • M.S.M routine when stopping (including turning)
  • Co-ordination of foot controls
  • Steering to a safe driving position and pulling up on the left
  • Turning left and right from main to side roads
  • Gear changing up and down should be improving and getting more independent
  • Adequate distance around stationary vehicles and slower moving vehicle (cyclists and pedestrians)
  • Making progress with appropriate speed
Agreed lesson is covering :-

Incorporate the L.A.D.A and M.S.P.S.G.L routine (the hazard drill) from Y junction.  This lesson will you information how entre and emerging into and out of main roads to the left and right on different speed limit roads.  You will start if possible in a quiet Y junction areas then move onto more complex junctions once you get more independent (once agreed)

 You will continue to develop with last lesson brief:-
  • L.A.D.A & M.S.P.S.G (main road to side road)
  • Two second gap
  • Hold back position
  • Meeting , overtaking, adequate clearance when overtaking stationary & slow moving vehicles 
  • appropriate speed limits
Agree level of instruction

Intervention

Agree if any of the lesson is going to be a instructor-lead-lesson or a client-centred-lesson and if it is client-lead agree if the instructor has to intervein verbally, take control of the training vehicle by ether using the dual control or take the wheel the lesson plan may need to be changed until the fault is fixed.

F.I.S.H
  • Fault
  • Implication
  • Solution
  • Help
Lesson aims and strategies

The aim of today’s lesson is to incorporate the hazard (drill) and look, asses, decide and act routine's when approaching and emerging at Y junction. This will include understand the timing you will need to cross traffic and the gap you will need when emerge onto the main road and make progress, then move onto more complex junctions once you gain your confidence.

Risk responsibility objective's

You and your instructor will agree lesson plan support to ether:-
  • Full talk through
  • Prompt 
  • Independent. 
This is important to ensure that the instructor and student understands who has the main responsibility on the control of the training vehicle on the set lesson plan.
Your level of instruction will be given by your instructor to a level to suit you from full talk through then reducing your support to either prompt or independent.

Lesson brief

The hazard drill (MSPSGL + L.A.D.A)

The routine's you will continue to use is Look, Assess, Decide, Act & Mirror, Signal, Position, Speed, Gear and you you have already been briefed you will not always have to use each step of the Hazard drill but it does need to be in order.  

These two routines have been covered on your last couple of lesson brief but let's have a re-cap to refresh your memory. 

When turning, emerging, slowing or even speeding your vehicle up you need to look in your mirror's a minimum of 3 times.


Look

  • Look into your rear view mirror to ensure you know what is behind you
  • Also look into the road you are entering to scan for pedestrians, parked cars or vehicles coming towards you (new rule for highway code 2022)
Highway code changes 2022
  • Look into the new road as you have now joined the main road and give way to oncoming vehicles.
On today's lesson you will assessed on using the L.A.D.A routine while emerging 
  • Look ahead to see where your junction you have been asked to turn into (this will give you the information on when to start the M.S.M routine).
  • Assess for any dangers you could have to slow down for.
  • Decide the correct strategy.
  • Act accordingly.
Remember always consider your roads speed limits (and stopping distances) when you're going to slow down at junctions. 
We start the lesson speed at 10mph then 20mph then build it up to 30mph speeds limit junctions then go on to busier and different situations (I.e. roundabouts).

Stopping distances

Have you learned your stopping distances? If you don't know them it will confused and guessing when to slow down. Use the emergency stop distances to help you when to slow down, so lets look at the stopping distances:-

20 mph
At 20mph you would start your slowing down routine double the distance, the stopping distance is 3 car lengths so simply double to six car lengths from the junction.

30 mph
At 30mph you would start your slowing down routine double the distance, the stopping distance is 6 car lengths so simply double to 12 car lengths from the junction.

50 mph
At 50mph you would start your slowing down routine double the distance, the stopping distance is 13 car lengths so simply double to 26 car lengths from the junction.

Click on the emergency stop picture to read about stopping distances. 

Emerging at Y junctions


Throughout your driving course you will use the L.A.D.A & Hazard drill's when approaching a Y and T junction, crossroad, roundabout, slip roads and so on.... On your driving (practical) test you will be assessed on the order of the hazard routine. If you reduce your speed before checking your mirrors you will probably get a minor fault. The reason is that a vehicle could be too close to the rear end of you vehicle and this could be a potential hazard. 

Remember the order of your pedals should be in the order of A (accelerator), B (brake) C (clutch), so with this in mind before you press your brake pedal (slowing down) doing a simple mirror check you will know what is behind you and would know to slow down by using your brakes earlier, this would give the vehicle behind more time to react. We know it is not your fault the vehicle is too close to you but you can control the situation and keep everyone safe.

You needed to show you can use your rear view mirror and door mirrors (wing mirrors) to see what’s behind or to the side of your car. This should be done in good time, well before appropriate situations.


You needed to show you can use them at the correct time, some situations where you needed to use mirrors include:

  • signalling
  • changing direction or lanes
  • changing speed

Your examiner will monitor this throughout your test.


Examples of faults

Some of the most common faults for this area include:

  • checking mirrors after or at the same time as signalling
  • changing lanes on a roundabout without checking your mirrors effectively
  • trying to change lanes on a dual carriageway without checking your mirrors effectively
  • pulling up at the side of the road without signalling to following traffic when appropriate

Your examiner may have explained the specific details of any faults you made.


How you can improve in this area

If you made faults in this area during your test, or if you want to improve in this area, you should:


check rule 161 of The Highway Code

read pages 76 to 86 of ‘The Official DVSA Guide to Driving: the Essential Skills’ (2022 edition)

  • If you need to rebook the test, spend time practising and improving this skill with your driving instructor or supervising driver. You could work on using the mirrors - signal - manoeuvre (MSM) routine.


Where would you find a Y junction?


A Y junction can be found on most unusual places:-

  • Off a side road instead of a T junction
  • On a traffic light
  • Just before a roundabout
  • On a side road joining a 60MPh single carriageway


Lets have a look at some situations you could come across incorporating Y junction


Y junction  crossing traffic


In diagram 1 you can see the side road of the main road is at a different angle to a T junction, turning into the side road you would probably need to approach slower to maintain a good positioning entering. Once your in the side road you could then be presented with another give-way line.


In diagram 2 you can see the learner vehicle has turned into the Y junction and approaching a Give-way line.  This now give the black vehicle passing the learner's Y junction priority over the learner vehicle.  Look, Assess, Decide, Act for road paint and road signs.

Diagram 1

Diagram 2

Emerging


Emerging out of a Y junction is no different than emerging out of a T junction, you check Your:-

  • Mirrors
  • Signal
  • position
  • Speed
  • Gear

The issue here is the tighter angle when emerging on a narrow road you could be very close to the centre line.  Look, Assess, Decide, Act to see if it is 100% safe to exit the road and emerge onto the main road.


Timing of gaps when crossing traffic (Re-cap main road to side road)


If you recall when you was briefed you on main road turning right your approaching vehicle from ahead we advised you need more 8/10 car lengths, why?

As the overall stopping distance at 30MPH is 23M, 75feet or 6 car lengths, to cross moving traffic, now think of the distance of the vehicle travelling towards you and once you are at your P.O.T is that vehicle still 8+ lines away from the junction, If you can walk across the road you have enough time to cross into the side road (8/10 car lengths is a student that is getting on to test standard).



When exiting the Y junction you can see if you get the wrong angle to turn left or right the emerge could become dangerous for you and the main road.

Diagram 1

Diagram 2

Give-way and stop junctions


Stop junctions


A stop line has sold white line on the left and a single dotted on the right hand side of the road, so it separates the ins and outs on a road. 

It also has an octagon sign at the mouth of the junction.

At a stop sign you have to STOP by law, if you do not stop you could get points on your licence if stopped by the police.

Give-way sign


A Give-way line has a double dotted lines on the left hand side and a single dotted on the right hand side of the road, so it separates the ins and outs on a road. 

It also has an upside down warning triangle sign at the mouth of the junction.


Unmarked junction


No road marking show NO priority so approach with caution and give-way accordingly. Be extra careful approaching an unmarked junction as someone might no be paying attention and not even look left and right and assume priority.

Y junction on a traffic light


Y junctions can also be found at traffic lights, some instructor's also call them slip road.  What you need to assess here is has the Y junction got a give-way or stop line (or maybe both discussed on traffic light brief) or is Y junction incorporated in the traffic light sequence??  Traffic lights is another brief so in this instance it will be classed as a Give-way "Y junction". When entering the Y junction and before you emerge to the left you have to give-way to your immediate right.

Planning


The best way to approach the Y junction is to be aware of what colour are the traffic lights, what's behind you, what's happening in front of you (L.A.D.A)


Diagram 1


In diagram 1 There is a approaching purple vehicle signalling to right the way the learner vehicle is planning to go.  We have multiple vehicle's (red, pink, Gray ,salmon coloured vehicles) go straight ahead.  So we have a mechanical shield or a blocker to our immediate right, plan to go with your speed and gear and slow and flow as it's safe to go.


Diagram 2


In diagram 2 the purple vehicle now has no vehicles travelling towards them so it is safe for the purple vehicle to cross.  In this situation we would have to give-way to it and continue once safe to do so.

Diagram 1

Diagram 2

Timing of gaps when emerging left and right

Emerging left

When your emerging left onto a 30MPH main road the gap you need will be a lot more time than crossing, why?
As you are exiting the side road and emerging with traffic travelling towards you, technically you are pulling out on moving traffic, to do this safely you will need a safe gap and not slow the main road down.

Once you are at test standard you will need roughly 12-16+ car lengths from your right. Why as much as that?
As the stopping distance at 30MPH is 23M, 75feet or 6 car lengths, to begin with due to your inexperience on using clutch control we will coach you to double or triple the stopping distances to emerge out safely (23M X 3=69M, 75F X 3=225F, 6 car lengths X 3=18 car lengths.

Giving-way to the immediate right when you traffic light is on RED

Other issue happen when entering Y junctions, sicario (1) The driver entering the Y junction does not give-way to the main road on their immediate right (as the main road has a green traffic light), causing a potential danger.(2) Another driver error is that drivers stop at the give-way line when the traffic light on our side are on a red light. This is a planning fault, if there is no solid white line before the give-way line it is your responsibility to slow and flow when the immediate right is clear.

Complex Y junctions


Once you are confident on residential Y junctions your instructor will challenge you on more complexed Y junction on faster roads.  Knowing certain road signs and road marking are key for this lesson and development

Road works quiz

  • Hover on picture to pause next clip
  • Hover on button to see answer
Stop and give-way
School crossing patrol
Parking restricted to permit holders
No waiting
No vehicles carrying explosives
No vehicles except bicycles being pushed
No vehicles over height shown
No vehicles over maximum gross weight shown (in tonnes)
No vehicles over width shown
No vehicle or combination of vehicles over length shown
No U turn
No towed caravans
No stopping during times shown except for as long as necessary to set down or pick up passengers
No stopping during period indicated except for buses
No left turn
No motor vehicles
No overtaking
No right turn
Traffic signs Traffic signs used, including signs giving orders, warning signs, direction signs, information signs and road works signs. Although The Highway Code shows many of the signs commonly in use, a comprehensive explanation of our signing system is given in the Department’s booklet Know Your Traffic Signs, which is on sale at booksellers. The booklet also illustrates and explains the vast majority of signs the road user is likely to encounter. The signs illustrated in The Highway Code are not all drawn to the same scale. In Wales, bilingual versions of some signs are used including Welsh and English versions of place names. Some older designs of signs may still be seen on the roads. Download ‘Traffic signs’ (PDF, 821KB) Show all sections Signs giving orders , Hide Signs with red circles are mostly prohibitive. Plates below signs qualify their message. Entry to 20 mph zone End of 20 mph zone Maximum speed National speed limit applies School crossing patrol Stop and give way Give way to traffic on major road Manually operated temporary STOP and GO signs Manually operated temporary STOP and GO signs No entry for vehicular traffic No vehicles except bicycles being pushed No cycling No motor vehicles No buses (over 8 passenger seats) No overtaking No towed caravans No vehicles carrying explosives No vehicle or combination of vehicles over length shown No vehicles over height shown No vehicles over width shown Give priority to vehicles from opposite direction No right turn No left turn No U-turns No goods vehicles over maximum gross weight shown (in tonnes) except for loading and unloading No vehicles over maximum gross weight shown (in tonnes) Parking restricted to permit holders No stopping during period indicated except for buses No stopping during times shown except for as long as necessary to set down or pick up passengers No waiting No stopping (Clearway)
No goods vehicles over maximum gross weight shown (in tonnes) except for loading and unloading
No entry for vehicular traffic
No cyling
No buses (over 8 passenger seats)
National speed limit applies
Maximum speed

Road works quiz

  • Hover on picture to pause next clip
  • Hover on button to see answer
Button
Button
Hatched markings See Rule 130
Edge line
Double white lines See Rules 128
Centre line See Rule 127
Double white lines See Rules 129
Hazard warning line See Rule 127

National speed stopping distance


Stopping distance at 60MPH is 73M, 240F or 18 car lengths, you will need to tripe the stopping distance to emerge safely.


Below there are three diagrams each one shows the overall stopping distance at 60MPH (national speed limit). 


Crossing into the side road


The oncoming vehicles overall stopping distance on a 60MPH road is 18 car lengths.  The gap will need to greater that 18 car lengths

Emerging gap turning left


The vehicles on the right is the overall stopping distance on a 60MPH road is 18 car lengths.  The oncoming vehicle on your immediate right will need to be (double) triple this distance to emerge safely.


Emerging gap turning right


The vehicles on the right is the overall stopping distance on a 60MPH road is 18 car lengths.   The oncoming vehicle on your immediate left will need to be (double) triple this distance to emerge safely.

The oncoming vehicle on your immediate  left will need to be the vehicles stopping distance (18 car lengths).

Correct road position


The correct road position is necessary due to the shape of the junction for you to emerge out safely.  You can see if you emerge correctly your position as you emerge is safer and you will need your normal safety gap, however if you do attempt to emerge wrong you will need a bigger emerging gap on both sides of the road.

Technical information emerging into a safe gap


Emerging left


When your emerging left onto a main road the gap you need is roughly

  • 12(+) car lengths minimum from the right at 30MPH. 
  • 26(+) car lengths minimum from the right at 50MPH. 
  • 36(+) car lengths minimum from the right at 30MPH. 

Ensure you look both ways though as a pedestrians could be walking across the road you intend to emerge into or a car could be overtaking a parked or slower moving vehicle and could be over the centre hatched white line.

Emerging right


When your emerging right onto a main road the gaps you will need alters dramatically, you will need bigger gaps the faster the roads you are emerging onto, you need to work out a safe gap from both side, lets start from the right hand side of you:-

  • 30MPh stopping distance is 6 car lengths, 36M or 75 feet
  • 50MPG stopping distance is 13 car lengths, 53M or 175feet
  • 60MPH stopping distance is 18 car lengths, 240 feet


On the left hand side you need to double the above numbers to emerge safely into a safe and timely gap

  • 30MPh stopping distance is 12 car lengths, 72M or 150 feet
  • 50MPG stopping distance is 26 car lengths, 106M or 350 feet
  • 60MPH stopping distance is 36 car lengths, 146M or 480 feet


In the above and below pictures will hopefully give you a better picture of the types of safe gaps you will need to emerge and make safe progress.

Timing of gaps will increase depending on some students  as they may not be as confident as others. 

Planning

When your emerging from a side road onto the major road there is extra to consider before you emerge into the major road. In particular vehicles on the major road have priority over you, therefore you will need to slow down or stop to allow them to pass before you emerge.

Observations on the approach to junction's are crucial to determine whether you can emerge without stopping or just slowing down enough to keep on going so selecting the correct gear you will need to slow and flow needs to be met. 

Open and closed junctions

Open junctions have no obstructions and have nothing restricting your view allowing you to slow down to a walking pace (10/12MPH) this will allow you to take early observations to the left and right so you could keep on flowing if no cars are on the main road in 2nd gear, however if you need to stop you will need 1st gear and you will need a bigger gap to emerge.

Closed junctions will have extra obstructions and your view is more restricted blocking your view,  you will need slow down to more of a crawling pace (6/8MPH) this will allow you to take better observations to the left and right so you could keep on flowing if no cars are on the main road but you will need 1st gear, however if  you need to stop you will potentially need a bigger gap to emerge.

Starting your slowing down and using the routine's properly

When approaching a Y junction (on a 30MPH road) start slowing down a couple of lamp posts away from the junction (checking your mirrors and coming of your gas pedal). Why ? Simple if you think about your speed and distance when slowing down to a junction or even meeting an oncoming vehicle, reflect on what your instructor would of already spoke to you about with what speed each gear does with NO GAS (no acceleration), can you remember? let the diagram below will remind you.....

Client-centred-lesson

You will need to reflect on the above information and see how your vehicles naturally slows down on 40, 50, 60 and 70MPH roads.

Emerging using the L.A.D.A & M.S.P.S.G routine's

When emerging the hazard drill is exactly the same as turning left and right
Mirror(s) 
  • Use your interior mirror and side mirror (the direction you are turning)
Signal 
  • Give signals in good time, ensuring it’s necessary and correctly timed.
  • A signal helps (warns) other road users/cyclists and pedestrians of your intention.
  • Be careful not to give a misleading signals.
Position
  • When turning left be just over a drain width from the curb
  • When turning right be close to the centre line as safe
  • Determine the best position/course to negotiate stationary hazards
  • Think before you change your position, be careful not to mislead others 
Speed
  • Adjust your speed so that you can negotiate the (open/closed) junction
  • Slow down to 10/12 mph (open junction) or even slower if it’s a sharper corner or if you need to stop you will need 1st gear
  • A closed junction you will need to slow down to (6/8MPH) and you will need 1st gear the same as above you may need to stop and look for a bigger gap
  • If it is too Busy to carry on simply just stop until your 100% that its safe
Gear
  • Select the gear to match your speed and the power you need (2nd gear/walking pace) if open (1st gear/crawling pace) closed
  • Make sure that the gear is selected before the hazard is negotiated
L.A.D.A routine
Look
  1. At the start of the routine make sure you have Looked into your rear view mirror to ensure you know what is behind you
  2. Look to see if you have any hazards ahead of the junction
  3. Look to see where the junction is
  4. Look to see if it is an open or closed junction
  5. Look into the new road and give way to oncoming vehicles
  6. Look into the road you are entering to scan for pedestrians, parked cars or vehicles coming towards you
Q&A - Safety gaps when emerging left

Q&A - When emerging left who must you stop or give way too?
Answer - All pedestrians crossing the mouth of the junction you are entering and all cyclists and vehicles on the main road (engine or pedal power)

Q&A - When emerging left out of a side road how much gap will you need from the oncoming vehicle from your right?
Answer - you will need the vehicle 12/18 car lengths (double your stopping distance) as the approaching vehicle is travelling at 25/30mph & you are at 0/10mph so you will needs double the time to emerge safely & build your speed up without slowing the main road traffic down. So you will need to be able to walk across the road and back when emerging left

Q&A - When emerging left who must you stop or give way to?
Answer - All pedestrians crossing the mouth of the junction you are entering and cyclists and vehicles on the main road.

Q&A - When emerging right out of a side road how much gap will you need from the oncoming vehicle from your right and left?
Answer - you will need the vehicle 12/18 car lengths from the left hand side of you (double your stopping distance) as the approaching vehicle is travelling at 25/30mph & you are at 0/10mph so you will needs double the time to emerge safely and build your speed up without slowing the main road traffic down. So you will need to be able to walk across the road and back to drive safely out of the side road.  You will also need 6/8 car lengths from your immediate right.


Q&A - How would you know you are approaching an open or closed junction?
If you can see right and left 10/12 car lengths to the left and the right it's open and if you cant it's closed

Q&A - What gear would you approach an open and a closed junction?
Answer -  At an open junction you approach in 2nd gear
Answer - At a closed junction you approach in 1st gear
Agree your next lesson

learning techniques and strategies

Practice achieving and improving the timing of the M.S.P.S.G & L.A.D.A routine's at basic Y and T junctions while improving your awareness and planning with the two second gap, the holding back position, overtaking, adequate clearance when overtaking stationary & slow moving vehicles.

Once you have practiced a few situations a few times your instructor will reduce his/her support transferring his responsibility over to you (that's if you agree with this).

Lesson Planning
  • Agree learning goals and needs of todays lesson
  • Agree appropriate lesson structure (full, partially or independent level of instruction)
  • Practice in a suitable training area
Agreed if needed to adapt the lesson plan to help the pupil work towards their new learning goals if any verbal or physical intervention was made by the instructor

Risk Management

Fully understood how the responsibility for risk of the lesson would be shared on the lesson plan between instructor and student.
  • Directional instructions will be given in ADI format (Alert, direction and identify manor) given to the pupil clear and given in good time
  • Agree if the students made a minor, serious or dangerous error on your lesson it will be broken down using F.I.S.H (fault, implications, solution & help) this method of feedback helps pupils understand what fault is being made and how to strategies on how correct the faults.
Teaching & Learning Strategies

Like mentioned earlier every student is induvial and each and everyone of you will progress at different rates so driving will adapt their lesson plan to help you achieve your driving goals.
Your driving instructor will adapt their teaching style to suite your ability and ability
Your driving instructor will continue to encourage you on your lesson and analyse any problems made and allow you to take responsibility for your own learning goals by giving you technical information to improve your techniques. Your technical feed back from your instructor will be ether given on the move or if feel needed by pulling you up on the side of the road somewhere safe, legal and convenient.

Rote learning (WikipediA)

Rote learning is a memorization technique based on repetition. The method rests on the premise that the recall of repeated material becomes faster the more one repeats it. Some of the alternatives to rote learning include meaningful learning, associative learning, spaced repetition and active learning.

At the end of your lesson 

At the end of each lesson you will have a debrief with your instructor giving you the opportunity to reflect on your performance on your lesson then you can set up new goals for your next driving lesson.
This will also give you the opportunity to research any new topics that will be brought into on your next agreed lesson.