How to Make a Left Turn Safely in Ontario Traffic

Making a left turn might seem straightforward, but it’s a maneuver that often challenges new drivers. Even experienced drivers sometimes find turning left stressful due to various factors. Getting comfortable with making left turns is vital for staying safe on the road every day and potentially lowering your auto insurance costs by avoiding accidents.

This guide provides the steps for making left turns, covering everything from preparation to execution. We want you to feel confident when turning left behind the wheel. Proper technique enhances turn safety.

Why Are Left Turns Tricky?

What makes left turns seem more involved than right turns? Primarily, you usually must cross at least one lane of oncoming traffic. This requires accurate judgment to select a safe gap in the traffic coming toward you.

There’s also more to monitor when making left turns. You have oncoming cars, pedestrians crossing the street you’re turning onto, and possibly cyclists. Managing these elements while finding the right moment requires focus and is a key part of making safe left turns.

Intersections themselves can add complexity. Different traffic rules apply depending on whether you face traffic lights, stop signs, or a dedicated left-turn lane. It’s understandable why they might feel slightly challenged initially.

Before You Even Signal: Pre-Turn Checks

Good driving involves awareness of your surroundings well before you need to act. Before using your turn signal, scan your environment thoroughly. Look far ahead to anticipate conditions.

Check your rearview mirror and your left side mirror for a clear picture of traffic behind and beside you. You need to know if anyone is trying to pass or following too closely; always check your blind spots. Checking your left shoulder quickly helps confirm that nothing is in your blind spot.

Observe the intersection well in advance. Note the status of traffic lights – are they green, yellow, or red? Check for pedestrians crossing or waiting to cross, and be aware of any cyclists in the vicinity of the intersection.

The Step-by-Step Guide on How to Make a Left Turn

Let’s outline the process for making a left turn. Following these steps consistently will lead to smoother, safer maneuvers. Remember, practice at a driving school or with a licensed driver helps immensely.

Step 1: Signal Your Intention

Inform other drivers of your plan well in advance. Activate your left turn signal significantly before reaching the intersection. A standard guideline is to signal continuously for at least 100 feet before you turn.

Early signaling gives surrounding vehicles, oncoming traffic, and pedestrians ample time to understand your intentions. Using your signal light effectively is crucial to road safety and adhering to traffic rules. This simple action helps prevent confusion.

Step 2: Position Your Vehicle

Move into the correct lane for your left turn as soon as it’s safe. This is typically the leftmost lane going in your direction or a specific left-turn lane if one is marked. Avoid sudden lane changes right before the intersection.

As you approach the intersection wait area, stop behind the marked stop line or crosswalk. If none exists, stop just before entering the intersection itself. Crucially, keep your front wheels straight while intersection waiting; don’t angle them left yet.

Keeping the wheels straight is a critical safety measure. If your car is bumped from behind, straight wheels will likely cause it to push forward. If your wheels are already turned left, a rear impact could force you directly into the path of oncoming traffic, a hazardous scenario.

Step 3: Yielding and Judging Gaps

This step often requires the most judgment when making a left turn. You almost always need to yield the right-of-way when making a left turn. This means letting oncoming traffic pass before you proceed.

You must also yield to any pedestrians crossing the street you are turning onto and watch for cyclists. Look left (oncoming traffic), look right (pedestrians/cyclists), and then recheck traffic to the left just before you start turning. A yield sign explicitly reminds you of this obligation.

Judging a safe gap is learned through practice. You need enough space to start turning and complete the turn without forcing oncoming cars to brake hard or swerve. Look for a large enough gap so you can comfortably accelerate to the appropriate speed limit after turning; ensure it’s safe.

Step 4: Executing the Turn

Once you confirm it’s safe and have a clear gap, begin your turn. Proceed smoothly into the intersection; avoid abrupt acceleration or excessive slowing. Proper turn steering involves using the steering wheel deliberately to guide your car.

Aim for the correct lane on the new road, typically the lane closest to the center line (the leftmost lane) traveling in your direction; this is often the lane nearest your starting position. Avoid cutting the corner too sharply to the left or executing a swing wide maneuver into other lanes. Maintain a good hand grip on the wheel.

After completing the turn and straightening out in the proper turn lane closest to you, recheck your rearview mirror. This updates you on the traffic situation behind you on the new road. Completing a safe left turn requires constant awareness.

Left Turns at Different Intersections

Intersections vary, and knowing how to handle each type is essential. Your approach might differ depending on the signals or signs present. Making safe left turns depends on understanding these scenarios.

Intersections with Traffic Lights

A solid green light indicates you can enter the intersection to turn left, but you must yield to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. Cautiously pull forward into the intersection, keeping wheels straight, and wait for a safe gap before completing the turn. The light turn might change, so be ready.

A green arrow specifically for turning left signals a protected turn. Oncoming traffic should have a red light, giving you the right of way. However, always check for pedestrians or drivers not obeying their traffic signal before turning left.

If the traffic light turns yellow while you’re waiting in the intersection, wait for any oncoming vehicles to clear the intersection. Then, complete your turn when safe; don’t speed up to beat the light. If the light turns red while you are still in the intersection waiting, you are generally allowed to complete the turn cautiously once traffic clears and it’s safe.

Turning left on a solid red light is generally illegal. A specific exception exists when turning from a one-way street onto another one-way street. Even then, you must come to a complete stop first and yield to all traffic and pedestrians before making the turn.

Here’s a quick summary of traffic light rules for left turns:

Understanding when the light turns green and how to react is crucial. Waiting at a busy intersection requires patience.

Intersections with Stop Signs

At an all-way stop, the first vehicle to arrive and come to a full halt proceeds first. If two cars arrive simultaneously, the vehicle on the right goes first. If vehicles directly opposite each other arrive together, the one going straight or right proceeds before the one turning left; the left turn must yield.

At a two-way stop (where you have a stop sign but cross-traffic does not), stop completely behind the line. Yield to all traffic on the cross street and any left traffic (oncoming) before making your left turn. Always check for a yield sign indicating cross-traffic has priority.

Turning from a One-Way Street

When turning left from a one-way street, position your vehicle in the farthest left lane before you start slowing for the turn. If turning onto another one-way street, turn into the leftmost available lane (often nearest the left curb). If turning onto a two-way street, complete the turn into the leftmost lane traveling in your intended direction.

Turning onto a Multi-Lane Road

When making a left turn onto a road with multiple lanes going your way, aim for the lane closest to the center line—the leftmost available lane or the lane nearest. Complete your turn into this lane first. If you need to change lanes, signal, check your mirrors and blind spots, and then change lanes safely.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Knowing common errors helps you prevent them. Here are the frequent mistakes drivers make during left turns:

• Turning Too Short (Cutting the Corner): Turning the steering wheel too soon or making a sharp turn can cause you to enter the wrong lane on the new street, near the left curb.
• Turning Too Wide: Delaying the turn or not turning sharply enough can cause you to swing wide into outer lanes, potentially causing a collision with other vehicles.
• Signaling Late or Not at All: Forgetting to use the left turn signal, or using it only as you start turning, confuses others and increases the risk.
• Misjudging Gaps: A significant error involves turning with insufficient space, forcing oncoming traffic at potentially higher speeds to brake suddenly. Patience is vital; wait until it’s safe.
• Forgetting Pedestrians/Cyclists: Always scan crosswalks and bike lanes before and during your turn; pedestrians crossing can appear unexpectedly.
• Turning Wheels While Waiting: Keep wheels straight until you start turning left to prevent being pushed into danger if rear-ended.
• Hesitation: While caution is reasonable, excessive hesitation can confuse others or cause you to miss opportunities for safety. Aim for smooth, confident execution once you’ve decided to proceed; avoid delaying when you’re turning.

Learning to judge learning gaps and handling different intersections improves with practice. A driving school can provide valuable experience in various traffic conditions. Discussing these points might be covered under a website’s privacy policy if using certain driving apps.

Failure to execute a safe left turn can lead to accidents, potentially resulting in claims under your accident insurance or general car insurance. Adhering to traffic rules is crucial for ensuring your safety and avoiding premium increases on your insurance policy.