Using a T-junction for a U-Turn...
Discussion
I find my self having to do a U-Turn after visiting/dropping off/picking up SWMBO at her flat which is on a main-ish street.
The most convenient way to do this is using a wide, but infrequently used T-junction on the right side of the road just up from the flat (so in the 'T' I'm approaching from the left). This gives enough room for the Megane to do a U-Turn. However the (non-driving) SWMBO hate's me doing this.
Question is - is this ok? Or am I likely to get rogered by plod and/or advanced drivers?
Description of the manoeuvre... (forgive me if this makes no sense...)
Approach T-junction in the usual manner to turn right.
Occasionally there might be a car approaching or waiting to turn out of the junction from the side street - in which case I won't bother with the U turn.
Turn in a bit later, and keep applying lock when entering the side street, across to the other side of the road and ready to go back out of the side street and onto the main road again, albeit at a slightly awkward 45 degree angle (would a diagram help here?).
If there's traffic approaching from the right I'll wait, while indicating right (although I'm technically turning left, I indicate right as if I'm pulling out from a parking space for example, it also means this traffic can see the indicator lights so they know I intend to pull back out onto the road - SWMBO says I should use the left indicator but this probably won't be seen by the traffic).
Sometimes if there's no other traffic/cyclists/peds around (and I'll be checking for these all times during the move) it can easily be done in one continuous manoeuvre.
So - is this ok should I be looking at alternatives (like a 1 mile detour around the centre of Aberdeen...)?
The most convenient way to do this is using a wide, but infrequently used T-junction on the right side of the road just up from the flat (so in the 'T' I'm approaching from the left). This gives enough room for the Megane to do a U-Turn. However the (non-driving) SWMBO hate's me doing this.
Question is - is this ok? Or am I likely to get rogered by plod and/or advanced drivers?
Description of the manoeuvre... (forgive me if this makes no sense...)
Approach T-junction in the usual manner to turn right.
Occasionally there might be a car approaching or waiting to turn out of the junction from the side street - in which case I won't bother with the U turn.
Turn in a bit later, and keep applying lock when entering the side street, across to the other side of the road and ready to go back out of the side street and onto the main road again, albeit at a slightly awkward 45 degree angle (would a diagram help here?).
If there's traffic approaching from the right I'll wait, while indicating right (although I'm technically turning left, I indicate right as if I'm pulling out from a parking space for example, it also means this traffic can see the indicator lights so they know I intend to pull back out onto the road - SWMBO says I should use the left indicator but this probably won't be seen by the traffic).
Sometimes if there's no other traffic/cyclists/peds around (and I'll be checking for these all times during the move) it can easily be done in one continuous manoeuvre.
So - is this ok should I be looking at alternatives (like a 1 mile detour around the centre of Aberdeen...)?
sounds fine to me.
i have to do it occasionally in the truck, an artic so 50ft long.
did it the other week in park royal as i was collecting a personal effects job, (house removal.)
all access roads into the one i wanted were tight, so knew i'd need the same route out as i took in so used the t junction at the end of the street in the way you describe, and in a safe manner as you also describe so no real problems.
it was a nice big junction, so was just right, only thing you have to watch in the wagon when pulling such a tight screw around is the pivot point when the trailer actually pushes back for a moment as the tractor unit is going forward.
i have to do it occasionally in the truck, an artic so 50ft long.
did it the other week in park royal as i was collecting a personal effects job, (house removal.)
all access roads into the one i wanted were tight, so knew i'd need the same route out as i took in so used the t junction at the end of the street in the way you describe, and in a safe manner as you also describe so no real problems.
it was a nice big junction, so was just right, only thing you have to watch in the wagon when pulling such a tight screw around is the pivot point when the trailer actually pushes back for a moment as the tractor unit is going forward.
MarkRSi said:
If there's traffic approaching from the right I'll wait, while indicating right (although I'm technically turning left, I indicate right as if I'm pulling out from a parking space for example, it also means this traffic can see the indicator lights so they know I intend to pull back out onto the road - SWMBO says I should use the left indicator but this probably won't be seen by the traffic).
That indicator is the only bit I'm not sure on, after all when your normally pulling out to the left the traffic couldn't see your indicator either. Apart from that I'd do the same.MarkRSi said:
I wouldn't bother, but it annoys SWMBO so thought I'd ask here (and might show her the responses lol).
Perfectly fine, it's actually part of the taxi driving test (where implemented).
I'd signal left, not right to emerge back out onto the main road though, if there is anyone that would benefit. You are after all turning left at this stage of the exercise. A right signal could be confusing, especially for traffic approaching from the minor road behind you.
I'd signal left, not right to emerge back out onto the main road though, if there is anyone that would benefit. You are after all turning left at this stage of the exercise. A right signal could be confusing, especially for traffic approaching from the minor road behind you.
Hooli said:
Of course with properly advanced car skills a handbrake turn & RWD drift out of the turn while fitting into a gap amongst oncoming traffic would be correct 
/tin-hat
I miss RWD /tin-hat
Handbrake isn't much cop either 
(now my old Micra, only the other hand )Thanks for the advice chaps, I'll use the left indicator from now on too,,,
Any turning manoeuvre is fine if it's in the driving manual or the Highway Code.
This one isn't, as far as I can see.
Correct procedure is a right-hand reverse. If the junction is not suitable for this then turn right into it and find another way (left or right reverse or 3-pt turn).
If I'm coming up a side road to turn onto the main road and someone is doing (or trying to do, or waiting to do) a U-turn in the mouth of the junction then I tend to wait for them, and they get a bit irate.
This one isn't, as far as I can see.
Correct procedure is a right-hand reverse. If the junction is not suitable for this then turn right into it and find another way (left or right reverse or 3-pt turn).
If I'm coming up a side road to turn onto the main road and someone is doing (or trying to do, or waiting to do) a U-turn in the mouth of the junction then I tend to wait for them, and they get a bit irate.
7mike said:
This applies to the DSA taxi test (although I don't think the OP is a taxi driver)
Actually that's a DIA document, not a DSA one. The subtle difference, on my understanding, is the DSA says what they want you to do, others say what you could do without failing, i.e. what you can get away with. The U turn in the DSA book does not include using a side road, but only talks about a road wide enough to do it (in my old copy anyway - perhaps it's changed). Using a side road for a U turn is more likely to result in problems.Another example is steering - the DSA's book describes the push-pull method, but I'm told you can get away with crossing your hands.
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