MSM Driving School

Emerging at T-Junctions

What is a T - junction: a T-Junction it is where a side road joins a main road. The main points before emerging at a T-Junction is to give way to other road users on the main road. This lesson focuses on the L part of the MSPSL routine:

Look Assess Decide Act

On the approach to a junction you will need to:

Look - For road signs that warn you that you are approaching a T-Junction, and to identify what type of junction it is, there are four different types, Give Way, Stop, Unmarked and Light Controlled.

Give Way Junction

Give Way Junctions you may not have to Stop, they are the most common junctions. You can identify them by the: give way lines, the white triangle or you could get a road sign on approach.

Stop Junction

Stop Junctions you have to stop at. They are usually found in areas like on a bend. You can identify them by the: solid white line, you may also get the word Stop on the road and a sign on approach. Do not change gear on approach just stop in the gear you in and then change to first gear, this way you will stop even if the junction is clear

"YOU MUST STOP"

If you are going to have to wait for more then 5/6 seconds or on a hill/ gradient then apply the parking brake.

Unmarked Junction

Unmarked at these Junctions, no one has priority so take special care. They are usually found in rural areas or quiet housing estates. You can identify them by: approaching a T-Junction with no Lines on the road.

Light Controlled Junctions

Light Controlled Junctions. They are put up in busy areas to help the flow of traffic, the lights decide when you have to stop or go. You can identify them by the: lights on approach a solid white stop line and you could get a road sign on approach. If the light is red, do not change gear on approach just stop in the gear you in and then change to first gear, this way you will be concentrating on your stop position. If you are going to have to wait for more then 5/6 seconds or on a hill/ gradient then apply the parking brake.

Open Junction

Assess - your zones of vision on approach for an Unmarked or a Give Way junction. This will help you decide what speed and gear you will need, we do this via assessing an open or a closed junction:

Open Junctions: You can start to make your assessment earlier as visibility onto the main road will be good. If clear you may be able to emerge in 2nd gear.

Closed Junction

On most T-Junctions your zone of vision is not so good; it is only as you reach the junction mouth that you can see clearly enough onto the main road to make a decision. In these circumstances your speed will be very slow and you will need to select 1st gear, we call this rolling into first.

Peep & Creep

In some circumstances even when you are at the junction, your view may be further restricted by buildings, hedges or parked vehicles. Good clutch control at this point will enable you to edge forward so that you have a good view in both directions; we call this peep and creep.

Decide - You must take effective observations before you emerge. The minimum observations you should make are to the RIGHT, LEFT, RIGHT at least once, but as many times as necessary. Decide if it is safe to go before crossing the white line or emerging. As a general guide when emerging, if you would cause another vehicle to have to change direction or speed, then you should stop and wait. Sound judgement of speed and distance takes time and a lot of practice.

IF IN DOUBT, WAIT.

ACT- Emerge safely and positively from the junction.

The most important thing to remember about emerging at junctions is to approach them at such a speed that you can stop safely if necessary and to take effective observations before emerging.