How to Determine Left and Right Turns While Driving?

[VanEloise]

Methods to determine left and right turns while driving: 1. Observe traffic lights: Look for the left-turn arrow on the signal; you can turn left when the green light is on. 2. Watch for oncoming traffic: If there is oncoming traffic, stop or proceed slowly to yield, then focus on your intended direction and steer the vehicle to turn left or right. 3. Observe lanes: (1) Check the situation in the first lane on the left (outermost side). If conditions permit or after yielding to vehicles in the first lane, proceed slowly using the clutch to occupy the first lane. Then observe the second lane and repeat the same action to occupy it, while also checking for vehicles coming from the right. Maintain a slow speed during this process. (2) Look for vehicles coming from the right. If conditions permit or after yielding to vehicles in the inner lane, start quickly and merge into the inner lane. Do not directly enter the middle lane; you must drive in the innermost first lane.

[DeReid]

Judging when to turn left or right relies on experience and foresight. Having driven for decades, I believe the key is to keep your eyes peeled. Start noticing road signs like left-turn arrows or no-turn indicators hundreds of meters before the turn—don’t slam the brakes at the intersection. For left turns, I always slow down to 20-30 km/h, signal early to warn others, and confirm a safe distance before turning, especially watching for oncoming straight-moving vehicles. Rural paths require extra caution for unexpected tricycles. Right turns are easier but still demand yielding to pedestrians, especially at busy crossings. Always check blind spots via mirrors, as motorcycles or bicycles might dart out—I once nearly had an accident from overlooking this, a hard lesson learned. Now, I habitually count two seconds at intersections before moving, combined with navigation voice prompts, ensuring every turn is smooth and safe.

[MacVivian]

When I first started learning to drive, I was always flustered, but my instructor taught me a method: before making a left turn, focus on the traffic light signals and the arrow markings at the intersection, and only turn on the turn signal when the light turns green. Right turns are simpler—you can turn directly as long as there are no prohibitory signs, but be cautious of pedestrians on the crosswalk to the right and slow down to about 15 km/h when passing. During the beginner stage, I often used navigation, following the voice prompt 'turn left ahead' to change lanes early and avoid getting stuck in straight-moving traffic. I practiced simulating turns in empty parking lots to get a feel for it, ensuring left turns had a wide arc to avoid crossing the line. For right turns, remember the right-of-way rules; when traffic is heavy, pause for a second or two before moving to avoid honking from cars behind. Gradually, as I became more familiar, I relied on traffic observation and advance planning to judge turns, always prioritizing safety.

[VonGabriel]

Safe turning relies on rule awareness and attention to detail. Before turning left, activate the left turn signal about 50 meters in advance, slow down to observe traffic light changes, and proceed only on green to prevent running a red light. When turning right, check the right rear for pedestrians or bicycles, especially near shopping streets where blind spots are common. Pay close attention to road markings—solid lines or arrows indicate turning directions. In complex urban traffic, use mobile navigation to preview turn locations and verify with real-time maps. Maintain steady speed during turns to avoid skidding, driving even slower in rain to prevent slipping. Remember traffic rules: left turns yield to straight traffic, right turns yield to pedestrians—memorizing these prevents rear-end collisions. After turning, gradually accelerate and adjust lanes to ensure fully controlled driving throughout.

[LaAlaina]

I use GPS navigation to assist in judging turns. When the phone prompts 'turn right ahead,' I turn on the indicator to prepare, but don’t rely solely on electronic devices. Before turning, check the rearview mirror for traffic flow. For left turns, wait for a suitable gap and merge quickly, avoiding getting stuck at busy intersections. Right turns are more flexible—proceed directly on green lights but keep an eye on pedestrians crossing the street. The navigation shows real-time traffic; if the road is too congested, avoid the main route and choose a left-turn side road. Reduce speed to under 30 mph when turning, maintaining steady steering, especially in rainy conditions where you should slow down twice as much. Remember to check the blind spot mirror before changing lanes to avoid collisions with shared bikes. Combine experience, navigation, and on-the-spot observation to improve judgment. Stay calm for a few seconds before turning to ensure safety.