Keeping a good position on left turns (similar to right turns if you drive on the right)

Summary

This instructional video addresses the common challenge new drivers face when turning left at the end of roads or sharp bends. It explains the optical illusion caused by light traveling in straight lines, which makes the curb appear closer than it is, leading to unsafe driving. The solution involves ignoring the perceived curb position and focusing on keeping the car centered in its lane. The video offers practical tips, such as using the driver's leg position as a reference for the car's center, and emphasizes the importance of practice and overcoming instinctive fears to improve driving skills.

Takeaways

• 🚘 New drivers often struggle with turning left at the end of roads or sharp bends, tending to turn wide and potentially into oncoming traffic.
• 📏 To turn left correctly, drivers should aim to stay within their own lane and not veer far from the curb.
• 🌌 Light travels in straight lines, causing the road immediately in front of the car to be invisible due to the bonnet's obstruction.
• 👀 The closest visible part of the road from the driver's seat is typically about a car length away, depending on the car's shape.
• 🛣️ Drivers should ignore the perceived position of the curb because it appears closer than it is, which can lead to unsafe steering away from it.
• 🧭 Instead of focusing on the curb, drivers should aim to keep the middle of their car in the middle of the lane, using their leg position as a reference for the car's center.
• 🔄 It's crucial for new drivers to transition from looking at the sides of the car to understanding the spatial requirements of the entire lane.
• 🔄 When turning left, drivers should initially focus on the 'mouth' of the junction and then look across to the middle of the new road at the end of the bend.
• 🚧 Drivers should avoid looking too far up the road or too closely at the curb, instead focusing on the middle of their lane to maintain a proper turn.
• 🛑 At the end of the road, prioritize steering and positioning before looking right to check for oncoming traffic, to avoid turning out too wide.
• 🔄 Practice and patience are key for new drivers to overcome the instinct to look right too early and to instead focus on proper steering and positioning.

Q & A

What is the main issue new drivers face when turning left at the end of the road or on sharp bends?

New drivers tend to turn too wide, ending up far from the curb, which can be unsafe if oncoming traffic is present.

Why is it important for drivers to stay within their own lane when turning left?

Staying within one's lane prevents potential accidents with oncoming traffic or vehicles approaching from the opposite direction.

How does the concept of light traveling in straight lines affect a driver's visibility while turning?

Light cannot curve around the car's bonnet, so drivers cannot see the road immediately in front of the car, which can lead to misjudging the position of the curb.

What is the approximate distance a driver can see from the front of their car to the curb when driving an average hatchback?

The closest part of the road a driver can typically see is about a car length away, depending on the car's shape.

How can a driver determine the middle of their car from inside the vehicle?

A driver can estimate the middle of the car by feeling where their left leg feels like it's standing, which is roughly the center of the car.

Why is it difficult for new drivers to judge the position of the curb while turning left?

The curb appears closer than it actually is due to the straight-line path of light, causing drivers to feel like they are going to hit the curb and leading them to steer away from it.

What is the recommended approach for a driver to stay in the middle of their lane while turning left?

Drivers should focus on the middle of their lane and aim to keep the center of their car in the middle of the gap, ignoring the perceived position of the curb.

Why should drivers avoid looking at the sides of their car or the front of the car while turning left?

Focusing on the sides or front of the car can lead to incorrect steering as these do not accurately represent the car's trajectory or position in the lane.

What is a common mistake new drivers make when approaching the end of the road for a left turn?

New drivers often spend too much time looking right to check for oncoming traffic, neglecting to properly position their car for the turn and ending up on the wrong side of the road.

How can new drivers improve their left-turn technique at the end of the road?

New drivers should focus on positioning their car well and controlling their steering and braking first, then look to the right to check for traffic before proceeding with the turn.

What advice is given for new drivers who are struggling with turning left at the end of the road?

New drivers should persevere, practice the technique over several weeks or lessons, and gradually incorporate checking for oncoming traffic while maintaining control of their vehicle.

Outlines

00:00

🚗 Challenges of Turning Left for New Drivers

The first paragraph addresses the common issue new drivers face when turning left, especially at the end of roads or sharp bends. New drivers often turn wide, risking collisions with oncoming traffic. The instructor explains the problem of light traveling in straight lines, which prevents drivers from seeing the road directly in front of the car, causing them to misjudge the position of the curb. The solution involves ignoring the perceived position of the curb and instead focusing on keeping the car within its own lane. The instructor suggests using the driver's leg position as a reference to gauge the middle of the car, emphasizing the need to practice this skill to overcome the initial fear and develop spatial awareness.

05:01

🛣️ Staying in the Middle of the Lane While Turning

In the second paragraph, the focus shifts to maintaining the car's position in the middle of the lane while navigating left turns and bends. The instructor advises against fixating on the curb, as it can lead to unsafe driving. Instead, drivers should aim to keep their left leg stable near the middle of the car and use it as a guide to steer the car into the center of the lane. The paragraph also discusses the importance of not over or underestimating the width of gaps when driving and the need to balance attention between the road ahead and the traffic conditions. The instructor emphasizes that mastering this skill requires courage, practice, and a shift in perspective from a learner to a confident driver.

10:03

👀 Prioritizing Steering Over Looking Right at Junctions

The third paragraph discusses a common mistake made by both new and experienced drivers when turning left at the end of a road. Drivers often spend too much time looking right to check for oncoming traffic, neglecting to properly position their car for the turn, which results in them veering off course. The instructor recommends prioritizing steering and positioning the car correctly before looking right to ensure a smooth and safe turn. The paragraph also touches on the gradual addition of scanning for traffic while maintaining control over the vehicle, acknowledging the challenge this presents for new drivers and the importance of patience and practice in mastering this skill.

Keywords

💡New drivers

New drivers are individuals who have recently obtained their driving licenses and are still gaining experience on the road. In the context of the video, the script addresses a common issue that new drivers face when making left turns at the end of roads or sharp bends, which is a critical skill for safe driving.

💡Left turn

A left turn is a maneuver where a vehicle moves from one lane or road to another in a counterclockwise direction. The video script emphasizes the difficulty new drivers have with this maneuver, especially at the end of roads or on sharp bends, and provides guidance on how to execute it correctly.

💡Curb

The curb refers to the edge of a road where it meets the sidewalk or another boundary. In the video, the instructor discusses the tendency of new drivers to veer away from the curb when making a left turn, which can lead to unsafe driving positions and potential accidents.

💡Lane positioning

Lane positioning is the practice of maintaining a vehicle within the appropriate lane boundaries while driving. The script explains that new drivers often struggle with this during left turns, and it is crucial for them to learn how to keep their vehicle centered within their lane for safe navigation.

💡Light and visibility

The script mentions that light travels in straight lines, which affects a driver's visibility of the road ahead. New drivers may not see the road immediately in front of their car due to the car's bonnet blocking the light, which can lead to misjudgments in turns and spatial awareness.

💡Spatial awareness

Spatial awareness in driving refers to the ability to accurately perceive the vehicle's position in relation to its surroundings. The video script points out that new drivers often feel they lack this skill because they misinterpret the visual cues provided by the car's position and the road's curvature.

💡Steering

Steering is the act of directing a vehicle's movement by turning its wheels. The video provides advice on how new drivers should steer when making a left turn, emphasizing the importance of not being influenced by the perceived position of the curb and instead focusing on the car's alignment within the lane.

💡Gaps

Gaps in the context of driving refer to the spaces between vehicles or between a vehicle and an obstacle. The script advises new drivers on how to judge gaps when making left turns, ensuring that they position their car correctly to pass safely through the middle of these gaps.

💡Middle of the car

The middle of the car is a reference point used by drivers to gauge their vehicle's position within a lane. The video script instructs new drivers to use their own body position, specifically their leg, as a reference to determine the center of the car, which aids in maintaining proper lane positioning.

💡Driving instructor

A driving instructor is a professional who teaches individuals how to drive safely and effectively. In the script, the instructor provides guidance and reassurance to new drivers, helping them overcome their fears and improve their skills, including the correct way to make left turns.

💡Practice

Practice in the context of driving refers to the repetitive exercise of driving skills to improve proficiency and confidence. The video script emphasizes the importance of practice for new drivers to overcome initial difficulties with maneuvers like left turns and to internalize safe driving habits.

Highlights

New drivers often struggle with turning left at the end of the road or on sharp bends.

Tendency of new drivers to turn wide, risking collision with oncoming traffic.

The importance of staying within one's own lane when turning left.

Explanation of how light travels in straight lines affecting visibility of the road ahead.

The average distance a driver can see ahead is about a car length away from the car.

The misconception that the curb appears closer than it actually is when turning.

The need to ignore the perceived position of the curb to avoid steering incorrectly.

Transitioning from a learner to a driver involves understanding spatial awareness differently.

Using the car's center for positioning rather than the sides to avoid turning wide.

Judging the middle of the car by the position of the driver's leg for better lane control.

The advice for new drivers to focus on the center of their lane rather than the sides.

The challenge of not looking at the front of the car but feeling the direction of travel.

The common mistake of focusing too much on oncoming traffic and missing the turn.

The recommendation to prioritize steering and positioning before checking for oncoming traffic.

The gradual addition of checking for oncoming traffic to the process of turning left.

The importance of patience and practice for new drivers to master turning left.

The offer of a discount for learner insurance and car insurance for young drivers.

Transcripts

today I'm addressing an issue that

affects nearly all new drivers I teach

and it's something some new drivers

really struggle with and it's turning

left at the end of the road it's the

position when you turn left not only at

the end of the road but on really sharp

bends as well what normally happens is

new drivers tend to go really really

wide and end up very far from the curb

which is of course a problem because if

someone's coming the other way

and you're far from the curb you could

get into trouble you ideally want to

turn left and keep it within your own

lane this is how you can do that the

problem is light and light travels in

mostly straight lines on earth at least

there is such thing as gravitational

lensing but that's not this video that

causes a problem because light travels

in straight lines any of the road in

front of your car immediately in front

of your car you cannot see because the

light cannot curve around your bonnet to

your eye and you know it certainly can't

go through your car because your car's

not see-through that way the closest bit

of road you can see is actually normally

about a whole car nymph away depending

on what shape car you're driving but for

an average hatchback it's normally a

Carnot four-way if you don't believe me

next time you're in the driver's seat

sit in a relaxed position and see what

the closest bit of curve you can see is

look at the closest bit a kerb you can

see at the front window get out and see

how far away there is I'll put money on

it and they should have a car with an

incredibly short bonnet or a bus it's

going to be about a carnival way don't

cheat don't do this because that way

you'll be able to see closer obviously

because the light will have a steeper

line towards your eye the higher you are

the closer you can see just be relaxed

and see how far away that kerb is the

closest bit of curb you can see with

that information

look at this bird's-eye view you now

know that the closest bit of Road you

can see is a whole carnival way

therefore the closest bit of curb you

can see is a whole chi-lin four-way and

if you draw a line between that

to the curb to your eye which is a

straight line because that's what light

does it travels in straight lines you'll

find that the curb or the light from the

curve intersects the middle of your car

on the way to your eye that means is

going to look like the curb is next to

the middle of your car when in fact it's

not that's going to cause you to feel

like you're going to hit the curb as

you're going around that bend because it

looks so much closer than it is so

you're going to steer away from that

curb causing you to go on the wrong side

of the road which of course is unsafe so

what you need to do which you will find

probably very hard to do and quite scary

at first is to ignore where the curb is

because where the curb is looks

completely different to where it

actually is and it's going to vary from

car to car and that's one of the changes

a learner makes to become a driver a

learner generally looks at the side of

the car and they think they've got bad

spatial awareness because they think oh

look I can't tell where my car is but

everyone's seeing the same thing you

just can't look at it literally you got

to understand that your lane is big

enough for a car even though your car

looks so much wider than your lane it's

ridiculous how much wider it looks if I

actually look at literally right now you

are ignore that you know that Lane is

big enough you just need to put the

middle of your car in the middle of your

lane so how do you judge where the

middle of your car is from inside the

car you want to drive the car from its

center don't drive it from its sides

because I've already explained to you

that's a folks view you don't actually

know where the curb is because it looks

like it's half way in the window but

actually it's over there you could use a

marker and go okay well if the curb is

half way in the front window it's in the

middle of the front window then I'm

close but you don't be doing that at

speed you need to be looking slightly

further ahead at speed that would be

quite unsafe if you're doing that fast

it's good for parking but not good for

fast driving what you have to do is

forget you're in a car you don't drive a

car an experienced driver does not drive

their car they don't position their car

I don't think it was a tight gap let's

put my car in the middle there they may

say that but I'm not actually feeling

that they've position themselves and

that is a good transition between

learner to driver and when a learner

becomes a driver they stop worrying

about the bar

and they start worrying about them what

you need to know if she left me roughly

where your left knee is where your left

leg should I say roughly where it feels

like it's standing when you're sitting

in the car is where the middle of your

car is that's in a car of esteem and

we're on this side if this steering

wheel is on the other side then it would

be your right leg but from your

perspective the leg nearest the middle

of the car where that feels like it's

standing is where the middle the car is

so all you need to do is use the

steering wheel until you feel like your

left leg is touching the middle of your

lane then you know your car is in the

middle of your lane don't move your leg

because obviously that's not going away

don't think what I've got to put my left

leg in the middle of the lane let's move

it over here now you've got to move the

car keep your left leg stable near the

middle of a car steer the wheel until

you feel like it's on the centre and

then the car will be in the centre or

the middle the car will be in the centre

of your lane most the people I teach are

actually pretty good at judging if a gap

is wide enough for a car

if the gap looks wide enough for a car

put the center of the car in the center

of the gap and you should go through the

middle of it if it doesn't look wide

enough for your car though or if you're

not sure don't go if you don't know

don't go not all gaps are gonna be wide

enough but one thing I can say is if you

worry about the left you will probably

hit something on the right because

you'll be trying to avoid the left and

you'll go over towards the right and if

you're worried about the right you'll

think on very close to that car on the

right there let's get away from that

that's going then you probably hit

something on the left it can go the

other way

unusually some people do this they'll

concentrate on the right they rarely do

this for the left it's normally the

right in the UK because you're sitting

on the right you can see where your wing

mirror is and you think okay well if I

get really really close to the car over

here I can see where my wing mirror is

over here I'll get my wing there a

really close to that car on the right

hopefully the left will miss that's not

good either because a the left could

still here if the gaps not wide enough

and B if the gap is wide enough what

normally happens is you end up sue

for closer to the right we've loads of

space on the left and the idea is to go

through the middle of gaps or the middle

of your space not to one side of it now

if you stuck with me for this far in a

video thank you because I know you're

watching this video to find out how to

go round a left bend well and I've been

talking about how to stay in the middle

of your lane but you see the two are the

same thing if you can keep the middle of

your car in the middle of your lane you

should be able to do that on a bend the

reason why new drivers struggle to stay

in the middle of their lane on bends

because they're focusing on the side if

you stop doing that and stop worrying

about that curve as I showed you earlier

where someone sees any of the curve and

tries go really far and ends up on the

wrong side of the road if you can just

focus on yourself and put the middle of

the car in the middle of your lane as

you go around the bend and not worry

about the curb you will go around that

bend better that's the key to doing this

well it takes courage and it takes

practice and it is a skill because

you're going to be afraid of hitting

that kerb your driving instructor will

take the wheel and push you away from

the curb if you go to hit it hopefully

they will I certainly will not going to

let people hit the kerb that's one of

our most bass and basic fundamental

responsibilities of the job is to stop

your hitting stuff so give it a go try

and steer try and take the advice try

and steer around that bend by not doing

the bend or the curve or the curb just

look at the middle of your lane and aim

for the middle your lane and hopefully

you'll go around in the middle if you do

a little bit too early

hopefully instructor will help you and

just move the steering wheel a little

bit to stop your hitting the curb this

is exactly where you should look when

turning left at the end of the road

firstly look at the middle of your lane

at the beginning of the bend I call it

the mouth of the junction where the

curbs do that and the road bends round

get there first get the lit get your

left leg on the middle part of your lane

at that beginning of the bend then look

across the curb to the middle of your

new road at the end of the bend you

don't be looking too far up the road

because you'll cut the corner too much

and you'd only be looking too close

because otherwise you won't steer enough

and in all you simply need to do is

focus on that point and turn the wheel

until it feels like your left leg is

going to contact that point and if you

do that the middle of your car should go

to the middle of your lane try not to

look at where the front of your car is

pointing because where the front of your

car is pointing isn't necessarily where

you're going as you can see in this

video the front of the car is facing a

different way to where it's heading I

probably need to do a different video on

that otherwise this video will get too

long but ignore not only the sides of

your car but where the front of your car

is pointing as well because that is not

true to where you're actually going

you've got to feel where you're going as

a person and just to prove my point I've

steered to the right and if you can look

from the camera facing forwards it looks

like the front of my car is facing

forward and the front of my car is

facing forward but that does not

necessarily mean where I'm gonna go if I

move now my car actually goes to the

right I'm facing forward but I'm heading

over there towards these garages there

is another thing that stops new drivers

from turning left well and I see this

happen to experienced drivers as well

and that is when they get to the end of

the road they're spending too much time

looking right to see who's coming and

they miss their turn when they get to

the end of the road they end up straight

so for example I'm gonna go left here

and I'll start staring right to see

who's coming and now I'm staring right I

can't do my turn because I can't see

where the road was bending where the

road was going so I get to the end of

the road pointing forwards and now as I

pull out I need to steer loads to make

up for the fact I haven't used the mouth

for the junction I end up coming out

wide into the wrong side and I'm having

to bring it back to the correct side I

find that can be quite a challenging

thing for new drivers to change because

they've really want to see who's coming

they want to look right to see if they

can go but you're much better off doing

it this way when you get to the end of

the road deal with the steering first so

I'm at the bend now I'm looking left at

the Benham not worrying about who's

coming

the moment I'll get my car positioned

well and under control first now I've

got the been sorted I'll look to the

right I can see Namas coming and then

I'll pull out if you look to the right

before you do your steering you're

probably gonna do the steering badly

because once you start looking right for

most people they find it hard to come

back from looking right to looking at

their position again because they want

to know what's going on they want to

know who's coming so they can cross the

line and go as an experienced driver

myself I do look right and left

regularly as I go towards the end of the

road and that's the best thing to do

because then you're getting both sides

of the story you're knowing what's

happening on the new road who's coming

for example but also you're maintaining

good control of your steering and your

slowing down not too early or not too

late because you're focusing on the end

of the road that way you can focus on

how much to brake and how much to steer

I recommend as a new driver you focus on

that first and once you get good at

steering around the bend at the end of

the road and you get good at breaking

well you're not breaking too early or

too late for your junctions once you've

got that good then start to add regular

glances into the right to see who's

coming it's all a bit too much and a bit

too overwhelming for most people to

combine all that to begin with when

they're only just learning try and have

patience with yourself when you're

trying to get better at this most people

struggle with it if you're struggling

with it you're not alone there are some

people who are a bit more natural and

pick it up quite quickly but most people

at least struggle with it to begin with

and end up going really wider really far

from the curb as they do the left turn I

have found giving a lesson similar to

what I've just explained really helpful

and it does genuinely change and help

people stay in their lane but it is

challenging because it goes against your

instinct firstly you want to look right

you want to see who's coming so that

makes you look right and stops you

focusing on your turn and also you're

afraid of it in the kerb which again

makes you want to steer away from the

curb and even though I can get someone

steering round left bends really well

and lesson

given a week of not driving and coming

back to the next list and they'll go

back to how they were doing it before

because it's natural to do that but

persevere and once you've done it

several times over several weeks or

several lessons then it should stick and

you should get the confidence to look

like I am now at my Junction where I'm

going as I'm slowing down instead of

constantly looking everywhere else and

being worried about the curb if you're

practicing without an instructor make

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drivers well that's all for this one if

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future videos until the next one

cheerio

you