Looking left when approaching a T junction - Why?

[s_zigmond]

Why do people feel the need to approach a junction looking left? As a cyclist and motorbike rider it scares me every time I see someone come to a junction looking to the left.

I just don't get why anyone would look left while still moving. You can't go till its clear to the right anyway so why not look that way first. Is this something new that's being taught, as I'm sure its got worse of the last few years.

If you are someone who looks left as you are approaching, why do you do it?

Apologies I know its a bit of a crap post, but I am interested if there is a valid reason for it, or is it as I suspect just a sign that they are a poor driver.

[andy-xr]

Maybe they're looking for traffic?

[Bill]

Perhaps they've seen and registered you and are looking for the next clear gap the other way? I agree though, I'd rather have eye contact.

[forzaminardi]

I think you should look both left and right, shouldn't you? Especially if turning right, but as good practice when turning left as who knows what's around the corner.

[Crusoe]

To look for a car about to cut the corner turning down the road they are on and hitting the front corner of their car. Should always look both ways to check for overtaking cars anyway.

[oyster]

s_zigmond said:

Why do people feel the need to approach a junction looking left? As a cyclist and motorbike rider it scares me every time I see someone come to a junction looking to the left.

I just don't get why anyone would look left while still moving. You can't go till its clear to the right anyway so why not look that way first. Is this something new that's being taught, as I'm sure its got worse of the last few years.

If you are someone who looks left as you are approaching, why do you do it?

Apologies I know its a bit of a crap post, but I am interested if there is a valid reason for it, or is it as I suspect just a sign that they are a poor driver.

Looking to the left before pulling out is a potential lifesaver as you might see an overtaking vehicle and avoid a head on.
Shame it's not drummed into people.

[Daston]

Could be that they are turning say right?

Checking to see if there isnt a car/bike coming the other way thats on the wrong side of the road?

Their car has such a crap turning circle that it will go over the white line?

[Shoukie]

s_zigmond said:

You can't go till its clear to the right anyway so why not look that way first.

If turning right, you can't go till it's clear to the left either, so why not look that way first, why does it matter? Or do you just mean when turning left only?

[dapearson]

your immediate danger is coming from the right, so you should always make your last check before pulling out to the right.

right - left - right is my normal routine when at a t-junction.

[Badgerboy]

I will look both directions, typically because a vehicle overtaking another and ploughing into the front of me would put a damper on my day. I'm not sure alluding that this is the mark of a 'poor' driver is that wise?

Edit - Right - left - right as above is the I drive.

[FourWheelDrift]

As above when turning right and checking there isn't a twit overtaking at a junction.

But also and obvious is making sure the way ahead is clear, no traffic jam, no parked cars, no one crossing the road.

[markmullen]

I look right first, that is where the first car would hit you from if things went wrong, then left to make sure no-one is overtaking through the junction or cutting the corner, then a final glance right and then away.

[s_zigmond]

Think you have missed my point. I get why you look both ways, but why approach the junction looking left. You cant go until it is clear to the right, so surely that is the way to look first. If it isn't clear to the right then you are going to have to stop no matter what is happening to the left.

[s_zigmond]

markmullen said:

I look right first, that is where the first car would hit you from if things went wrong, then left to make sure no-one is overtaking through the junction or cutting the corner, then a final glance right and then away.

Thank you someone who has actually read and understood my OP.

[s_zigmond]

FourWheelDrift said:

But also and obvious is making sure the way ahead is clear, no traffic jam, no parked cars, no one crossing the road.

And looking to the left when still moving towards the junction helps with this how? Surely you would look forward in this case?

[Roo]

How do you know they haven't looked to the right already?

[Shoukie]

s_zigmond said:

Think you have missed my point. I get why you look both ways, but why approach the junction looking left. You cant go until it is clear to the right, so surely that is the way to look first. If it isn't clear to the right then you are going to have to stop no matter what is happening to the left.

But if you're turning right and it isn't clear to the left then you are going to have to stop no matter what is happenig to the right! (unless there's a box to wait in in the middle of course).

I'm not saying it's correct to look left first but i don't see why it matters.

[Freddy88FM]

Having avoided a head on with a 60+ mph overtaking car by checking left... I'd say it's probably worth checking left.

[s_zigmond]

Shoukie said:

But if you're turning right and it isn't clear to the left then you are going to have to stop no matter what is happenig to the right! (unless there's a box to wait in in the middle of course).

I'm not saying it's correct to look left first but i don't see why it matters.

Because people cant be trusted not to cross the line. If I'm on a bike and they have looked at me, I can be far more confident they aren't going to edge into the road slightly then if they are blindly looking the other way.

[s_zigmond]

Freddy88FM said:

Having avoided a head on with a 60+ mph overtaking car by checking left... I'd say it's probably worth checking left.

Again you have missed the point! Please tell me where I said not to look left? I did in fact ask why look left when approaching (still moving) towards a junction prior to looking right.