driver-qualification-handbook-english

3Selecting safe gaps when turning: RevisionMaking turns is often difficult, particularly when the traffic is heavy. You may needto watch for traffic and other road users such as pedestrians to the front, left andright. The key hazard perception skill, however, is selecting a gap that is big enoughfor you to complete the turn safely.For example, if you are turning left in a 60 km/h zone you will need a gap of aboutsix seconds between your car and vehicles approaching from the right. This assumesthat the traffic is travelling at 60 km/h – it may actually be faster.Six secondsChoose a safe gap so other vehicles are not forced to change speed.Remember, a six-second gap means that you could count ‘1001’ through to ‘1006’before a vehicle from the right would be level with your car. Of course, you needto judge what this distance looks like as you can’t use this counting tool as you aremaking a left hand turn.If you are turning right in a 60 km/h zone you will need a gap of at least fourseconds between your car and vehicles approaching from the right, but a gap of atleast six seconds from the left. This assumes that the traffic is travelling at 60 km/h– it may actually be faster – and that there is no on-coming traffic.Six secondsFour secondsChoose a safe gap so other vehicles are not forced to change speed.Driver qualification handbook 91