Turn in the road

Turn in the road

Introduction

December 4th 2017 had big changes to the driving test as the DVSA has taken the left, right reverse around the corner and the turn in the road exercise and replaced it with driving into a baying bay and park on the right hand side of the road and reverse back 2/3 car lengths.  

But your instructor may still cover the left/right reverse around the corner and the turn in the road just in case you ever went the wrong way on your test and the road was a dead end so you will need to turn your vehicle around. So reversing around the corner and the turn in the road will still be taught but to a lower level. 

Once you have covered reversing in a straight line, left (maybe right) reverse around corners with little or no help from your instructor you will be ready to undertake a more difficult manoeuvre, the turn in the road exercise. 

The turn in the road manoeuvre becomes necessary if you found yourself in a dead end road and it might be the only manoeuvre that you could use to turn around safely. 

The turn in the road is about using forward and revere gears and controlling the vehicle as you have to control your vehicle over different gradient cambers on the road.  
All around observations and clutch control is very important on this exercise.

Teaching Strategy

Your instructor will prompt you as much as you need on previous lessons covered i.e. … P.O.M cockpit drill, gear changes, the hand and foot controls, Hazard and L.A.D.A routines, open/closed junctions, crossroad, roundabouts and traffic lights.
Move off and stopping instruction will be given by your instructor to a level to suit you… full talk through then reducing to either prompt or independent while driving to the reversing location.

Lesson aims

The aim of today’s lesson is to drive to a suitable location working on the hazard and L.A.D.A routines then be briefed on the turn in the road manoeuvre, then you can practice this manoeuvre using clutch control while reversing and going forward slowly.

During this lesson you will be assessed on your general drive to and from the training location and will be giving you as much support as you need to improve your driving skills, you will .also get a better understand of the biting point/clutch control while reversing and observing out of the rear window and the proper effectiveness of the use of mirrors.

Objective

Your objective will to be as independent as possible and by the end of your lesson be able to understand the reference points on this exercise while going forward and backwards so you can complete the manoeuvre with little or no help from your instructor without touching the curb.

Lesson Brief

The safest and easiest way to turn around and go back in the opposite direction is to drive all the way around a roundabout or around the block.  If this is not possible the next best and most common solution is to reverse into an opening on the left/right or turning the car around with a turn in the road. 

Just ensure you are not on a one way street.
Life skill

The safest and easiest way to turn your vehicle around or go back in the opposite direction is to drive all the way around a roundabout or around the block.  This is not always possible so the next best and most common solution is to reverse into an opening on the left/right or in this instance a turn in the road.

But we feel being able to manoeuvre a vehicle will give you more advanced life skills when controlling a motor vehicle.

Location where to do the manoeuvre

Pull up in a suitable position on the left hand side of the road keep within a drain width of the curb or less, also somewhere safe, legal and convenient.

Ensure it’s free from parked vehicles and obstructions and no debris on the road are as you don’t want to get a puncher.
You must never do this manoeuvre on a main road as it is too dangerous and defiantly not a one way street.
Steering

On each leg you need to briskly move the steering wheel with accurate clutch control will guarantee success.

Key skills

The key to this manoeuvre is quick hands and slow/controlled feet. (Fast steering and good clutch control).  Remember £1 up and down from the biting point.
It is easy to lose control with this manoeuvre as you will have different gradients of camber.
Pervious skills involved will be hill start at point B and C.
Beginning the manoeuvre 

Point A to B
Preparing, observing and manoeuvre.

Prepare 
1st gear.

Observations 
Normal 6 point check so go from your left shoulder to the right shoulder.

Move 
When no vehicles are driving towards you.

When to give way to approaching vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.

This could help when to stop when obstacles are coming towards you:-
Motor vehicle 6 car lengths from you.
Cycle about 3 cars lengths from you.
Pedestrians 1.5 car lengths from you. 

Starting the first leg (point A to point B)

When safe start to move slowly forward and put full right hand lock(brisk hands) using the pull push method of steering.  
As you move across the road you slowly move your vehicle using clutch control then  if necessary slow down by lightly use your brakes (using your brake pedal)

If you do find yourself going to fast use your foot brake to slowing yourself down or even just stop for second then continue once you have control again contine the maneuverer.

Stop the vehicle when your vehicle is ¾ across the road (or the bottom of the wing mirror looks like it is sat on the curb).

Try to change the lock of the steering wheel just before you reach point B and point C is the key to completing the manoeuvre in as few movements as possible.
Make the vehicle safe.

Put the hand break on this will preventing the car from rolling forward.
Reverse manoeuvre (point B to point C)
Camber of the road

Before you start the reverse you will need to find the biting point as you will be on a uphill camber. So find the right amount of bite so you slow reverse backwards when you take your hand brake off.
Ensure you dont have to much biting point and reverse out of control (£1 up £1 down for best control).


Preparing, observing and manoeuvre.

Prepare 
Reverse gear.

Observations
Reverse the 6 point check so go from your right shoulder to the left shoulder, so you’re looking the correct way (over your left shoulder).

Move 
When no vehicles are driving towards you.
Use of brakes

If any vehicle are coming towards your vehicle use your brakes to warn the vehicle you have seen them and stopped.
When it is safe to start reversing turn your wheel briskly to the left using the pull push method of steering maintaining observations over you left shoulder (looking for pedestrians in your path).

Using clutch control, maintain a slow and safe speed (crawling pace) keeping a look out all around for other vehicles/pedestrians.

Distance to reverse back

Reverse until the vehicle is half way across the road changing your view over your right shoulder and apply steering to the right (again using the pull push method of steering). 
As you are sat in the drivers seat you will look like you are roughtly 3/4 across the road (picture below).
Stop before Offside rear wheel gets close to the curb. 

(This will be discussed on your brief).
Before you start the next leg you may need to do another hill start depending on the camber of the road so apply the hand.
Point C to D
Preparing, observing and manoeuvre

Prepare 
1st gear (find the biting point this will prevent the car from rolling backwards).

Observations 
Normal 6 point check so go from your left shoulder to the right shoulder.

Move 
When no vehicles are driving towards you.

Give way to approaching vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians

Before you start the next leg you may need to find enough biting point for a hill start (this will depending on the camber of the road).
 
Before going forward ensue there are no vehicles are waiting if necessary apply your foot brake to tell the driver you are waiting.  When it is safe to start moving forward turn your wheel to the right using the pull push method of steering maintaining observations ahead (looking for pedestrians in your path).
If the vehicle are patient and are waiting for you to complete this exercise DO NOT RUSH IT, just take your time as if you lose control you might have to reverse back and forward again.  So everyone will be waiting longer than necessary.

Using clutch control, maintain a slow and safe speed keeping a look out all around for other vehicles/pedestrians.

As your vehicle is half way across the road changing your steering to the right using the pull push method of steering.
Using clutch control maintain a slow and safe speed keeping a look out all around for other vehicles.
Pull up on the left.

Pulling up on the opposite side of the road and making the vehicle safe.

Preparing, observing and manoeuvre P.O.M.

After you have done it for the first time you will practice it a few more times so start from the beginning.

Prepare 
1st gear.

Observations 
Normal 6 point check so go from your left shoulder to the right shoulder.

Move 
When safe.

All round awareness

All round observations is important in this manoeuvre as you need to be aware of traffic approaching from either side of you while watching for pedestrians that might cross the front or rear of your vehicle. 
Therefore when you are moving forward and back you need to continually looking from side to side.
When reversing you continually move from looking over your left shoulder to our right shoulder.

Dealing with other vehicles

Once you have completing the first, second and third legs you would allow any traffic that is waiting to pass behind and in front of you.
  
Number of moves needed

It may not always be possible to complete the manoeuvre in three movements. 
Additional movements forward and backwards may be needed particularly if the road is very narrow. 
The procedure for these additional movements is basically the same. 

Complete the exercise on wide and narrow roads with differing cambers and on roads with occasional traffic.
  
Reflect & Review
                                                                                                                
So remember your instructor is there to HELP you so on your driving lesson if you have any uncertainties or need anything rewording or recapping to make things any clearer, just ask.

Your training Vehicle is fitted with dual Controls and if necessary could be used throughout your lesson if needed. These are here for your safety so we can step in to keep you safe. 
So don’t worry if the issues arise we will aid & guide you VIRBALLY or PHYSICALLY and we can go over the situation if happens to correct if in the future.

Risk management
Physical control of your vehicle

The aim is for you the student to have full control of this lesson with previous lessons and have full talk through on the new topic and then reducing the support throughout  with you decision making as best you can.
Your instructor’s job is to analyse any faults or new faults that may accrue in this lesson and put them right.

Talk about any issues if the situations happen on the driving lesson and put issues right.
  •   Fault identification.
  •   Fault analysis.
  •   Remedial action.
Level of instruction on your lesson
  •   Full talk through.
  •   Prompt.
  •   Independent.

End of lesson
  •   Feed back at the end of your lesson.
  •   Student’s responsibility of lesson and improvements.
  •   Plan for the next lesson.
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