Choose to be Safe: How to Make a Turn Safely

1. Signal appropriately

Thousands of crashes occur every year because of the drivers’ failure to correctly signal.

2. Why is signaling important?

Signaling communicates to other drivers and road users your intent. That allows them to plan for what you are going to do and make decisions about what they are going to do appropriately.

3. Check signs, signals, and pavement markings to ensure you can make the turn.

• Are right or left turns permitted?
• Are you allowed to move from one lane to another?
• Is there a “protected” lane for turning?
• Is there a specified path drivers are supposed to take through the intersection?

4. Check for other road users.

• Other road users can be other vehicles, cyclists, or even pedestrians.
• It is also important to anticipate what other drivers may be doing.
• A large vehicle like a commercial truck or bus that may require more space/time to turnPublic busses that may be stopping to pick up or discharge passengers (or passengers that are rushing to get the bus and not paying attention to their surroundings.
• Pedestrians who may or may not use the crosswalk.
• Cyclists who may be appropriately following road rules or who may not be.

5. Move into correct lane to make turn and continue to check mirrors and blind spots while making turn.

6. Slow down.

7. Continue to yield as necessary.