Hawkwell driving schools: Rayleigh and the surrounding areas
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The following sections are all
written by Alan:
essentials
new pupil's page
best driving tips
driving test secrets
independent driving
driving on snow and ice
show me tell me
technique
general
control basics
safety drills
using the mirrors
left & right turns
one way streets
junctions
give way priority
giving warnings
zebra crossings
dual carriageways
roundabouts
mini-roundabouts
country lanes
overtaking parked cars
manoeuvres
general
reversing
parallel parking
bay parking
turn in the road
emergency stop
Hawkwell Driving School
www.drivingschoolrayleigh.co.uk
Rayleigh
Thundersley
Hullbridge
© 2011
Traffic lights and junctions:
Traffic light junctions: Traffic lights give priority to the road you are on if you see green, or the road crossing it if they show red to you. The lights control the stop line, so when you approach, if they change to amber stop if you can, but if you can’t stop behind the line - keep going. You can go through legally on amber. Always approach traffic lights at less then 30mph, you only get 2 seconds on amber when they change to red. Check the mirror on the approach to see if anyone is close behind – if they are then don’t stop suddenly. Ease your speed down on the approach and cover the brake until you are about one car length away from the line.
When you stop at a red traffic light, try to stop at the line, and not back from it. Traffic lights are triggered by microwave movement sensors, induction sensors in the road, or by a timer: On most lights the timer will operate them, even if they are not triggered. But on some junctions, particularly dedicated turn lanes (eg. right turn lane from Southchurch Rd into Bournemouth Park Rd, Southend), there isn't a timer, so if you don't trigger them by going all the way up to the line you'll be there all day.
Right Turns at traffic lights: If the opposing right turn lanes are opposite each other then the cars usually turn right in front of each other. If the lanes are offset to the right then the cars pass each other and turn behind, if this is the case keep straight and next to the white line. Beware of cars on your left. Never be the third car into a junction, unless it is a very large one, you might get stuck in the middle.
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Example: (photo above) A right turn onto the A127, from Bridgewater Drive, at Kent Elms Corner in Westcliff. The procedure here is to enter the junction when the light changes to green. Then position in the centre of the junction, with the front of the car level with the centre of the road that you are turning into, the A127. You must keep left of the oncoming traffic as you enter. Wait in the middle of the junction until the oncoming traffic stops, or until there is a gap large enough for you to proceed safely with the turn. When you can proceed you should normally turn into the left hand lane of the dual-carriageway
Example: (photo and video above) At the junction of Carnarvon Road and the High Street in Clacton. When turning right at this junction from the town side of the high street you need to be on the right-hand side of the road, because it is one-way: You then need to give way to anyone from the opposite side who is approaching you and turning to their left. If you turn right from the high street from the Holland side then you must give way to traffic emerging from the town: Although if the opposing traffic is turning to their right you can both turn at the same time.
Example: (photo above) The junction of Prittlewell Chase (dual carriageway) and Hobleythick Lane in Southend. The right turning traffic turns offside to offside (or behind each other). This is a very narrow junction with 2 lanes of traffic in each direction on Hobleythick Lane, which is a single carriageway. If you are turning right here you should enter the junction carefully making sure that you keep left of the centre line. You should then pass oncoming traffic that is also turning right, and turn behind it when it is clear. You are of course still giving way to oncoming traffic that is going straight ahead, or turning to its left. You also need to be very aware of traffic passing on your left, as the lanes narrow in the middle of the junction.
Box junctions: When you are in a queue you must not stop on a box junction. To make sure that you don’t, always ensure that there is a whole car length clear the other side of the box, before you move across. Do not try to anticipate enough room the other side because you may get it wrong! You can stop on the box if you are turning right. "You must not enter the box unless your exit road is clear, unless you are turning right and only prevented from doing so by oncoming traffic."
Gaps in the central reservation: If you are asked to do a 'U' turn in a central reservation gap the main thing to remember is that the gap will be two way, so you must keep to the left. All roads are two way unless they are signed or marked one-way.