How to Determine Wide Turn vs. Sharp Turn?
3 Answers
Wide turn vs. sharp turn refers to the behavior where a vehicle, when making a left turn at an intersection, should turn with a larger turning radius but instead turns with a smaller radius. When a motor vehicle passes through an intersection controlled by traffic signals and makes a left turn, it should turn to the left of the center point of the intersection.
Having driven in the city for seven or eight years, I've gained deep personal experience with judging wide turns versus sharp turns. The core criterion is the radius of your turn: when making a left turn, if you don't curve around the center point of the road but instead take a tight, small-radius turn, your vehicle is more likely to encroach into the opposing lane, which counts as a violation. Traffic cameras or officers on-site will capture evidence by observing whether your wheel tracks cross the line or enter a no-go zone, leading to a ticket. In practice, I make sure to slow down before turning, start from the inner side of the road, and turn the steering wheel slowly to ensure a wide arc. This avoids many potential collision risks, especially at complex intersections. Once it becomes a habit, turns become smoother and more efficient, while also enhancing overall safety awareness and reducing unnecessary trouble.
As a new driver who just got my license last month, my instructor repeatedly taught me how to judge whether a turn is too sharp. Essentially, it means your turning radius is too small and you're not following the designated path. For example, when making a left turn, if you don't start turning from the center point but instead take a tight circle that encroaches into the opposite lane, that's a violation. The simple method I learned is to check the rearview mirror before turning to ensure proper positioning, control speed by turning slowly with a wide arc, and avoid rushing to cross the solid line of the opposite lane. Now at every intersection, I instinctively check if my turning width is reasonable to avoid getting caught by traffic cameras and fined. With a few more practices, it becomes second nature, easily avoiding accidents and fines.
