
Start the vehicle and turn on the car switch. First, pay attention to the straight-moving vehicles on the left and observe the road conditions. Turn on the turn signal and make a left turn.

When I first learned to drive, left turns really threw me off. My instructor taught me to first turn on the left turn signal at least 10 seconds in advance to alert others. Then slow down as you approach the intersection—don’t rush—scan the mirrors for traffic, and check your blind spot by turning your head to ensure no pedestrians or e-bikes suddenly dart out. Once at the intersection, wait for the green light or a safe gap before gently turning the steering wheel left, maintaining a speed of around 15-20 mph. Don’t rush through it, and straighten the wheel smoothly. Beginners tend to turn too sharply and lose control, so practicing in an empty area is crucial, especially on rainy days when the road is slippery. Remember, every turn is a chance to learn—keep practicing, and you’ll become a seasoned driver.

After years of driving, I've mastered left turns with safety and observation as the core. First, turn on the left signal while slowing down below 20 mph, carefully check traffic lights when approaching the intersection, yield to pedestrians first, then watch for any sudden lane-cutting from oncoming straight traffic. When turning, gently steer the wheel half a turn, lightly tap the accelerator as the car starts moving to maintain smoothness and avoid honking from behind. I also prefer rolling down the window to listen for surrounding sounds, especially in noisy urban areas where it helps detect motorcycles. In heavy rain when tire grip weakens, cutting speed by half is safest—these small techniques save lots of trouble.

Left turns may seem simple but carry many hidden dangers. I emphasize signaling and observation: first activate the left turn signal, slow down to 10 mph, scan from multiple angles including pedestrian crossing positions. Steering wheel movements should be smooth without sudden jerks to avoid fishtailing or loss of control. Pay special attention to the distance of oncoming straight-moving vehicles - ensure at least 50 meters of clearance for safe turning. During practice, focus on small neighborhood intersections to develop feel, as every turn presents an opportunity to review the rules.


