Turning right is the manoeuvre that asks the most of you, because you have to cross the path of oncoming traffic to do it. The good news: there's a clear order to it, and once you know the order, the nerves fade.
You position towards the centre of the road, signal in good time, and wait — wheels straight — until there's a gap in the oncoming traffic big enough to turn into safely. Then you go in one smooth movement. You never turn on a hope.
Keeping the wheels straight while you wait is the small habit that matters most. If someone runs into the back of you, straight wheels send you forward; turned wheels send you into the path of oncoming traffic. So you turn the wheel only at the moment you actually move.
The bits that matter
- Position towards the centre, signal early, and wait with your wheels straight.
- Only turn when the oncoming gap is genuinely big enough — never on a hope.
- Keep wheels straight while waiting, so a bump from behind can't push you into oncoming traffic.
Memory anchor
Wheels straight while you wait
Waiting to turn right, keep your front wheels pointing straight ahead, not already turned. If someone runs into the back of you, straight wheels send you forward — turned wheels send you into the oncoming lane. One small habit, one big difference.
Out on the road
The right turn into your street
You signal early, move towards the centre line, and stop with your wheels straight. A steady stream of oncoming cars passes. You don't edge or fidget — you just wait. A proper gap opens, you check it's really clear, and you turn in one smooth go. Patience made it easy.
The mistake everyone makes
Turning the wheels while you wait
It feels natural to pre-turn the wheels while waiting to go right. But if you're shunted from behind with the wheels turned, your own car carries you straight into oncoming traffic. Keep them straight until the moment you actually move. It's the kind of habit that quietly saves lives.