driver-qualification-handbook-english

3Making U turnsU turns are more complicated than right turns as you need to look for trafficapproaching from both behind you and in front.U turns are difficult and potentially dangerous, particularly on busy, high speedroads. Every year more than 800 police-reported crashes involve U turns. Theyshould be avoided unless you have no other choice. An alternative is to do a rightturn into a side street, make a three-point turn where it is quieter and safer in theside street, then turn left back on to the road you came from. There is no shame indoing this. Even very experienced drivers do it all the time.Key points summary: safe gaps - turning• When turning left in a 60 km/h zone you need at least a gap of six seconds(about 100 metres) between your car and vehicles approaching from the right.• When turning right in a 60 km/h zone you need gaps of at leastthe following:– Four seconds to the right (about 70 metres).– Six seconds to the left (about 100 metres).– Four seconds to the front (about 70 metres) – where there is oncomingtraffic.• Avoid U turns unless you have no other choice.• If a gap is not large enough, don’t go – wait until it is safe.Driver qualification handbook 93