What steps should be taken before turning?

As a driver, it's crucial to familiarize yourself with the proper turning procedures on Saudi Arabian roads, which range from highways to busy streets and desert routes. Incorrect turning is a leading cause of severe accidents that can be easily prevented by following the right steps.

Therefore, this article details the correct turning steps designed to provide you with the highest level of protection and transform you into a professional driver who practices defensive driving with confidence and safety.

Types of Highway Intersections

Highway intersections are road junctions designed with separate levels, allowing vehicles to turn and merge onto other roads without needing to stop or significantly reduce speed. These intersections are categorized into two main types based on their function:

1. Service interchanges, which connect highways to secondary roads.
2. System interchanges, which connect two highways.

The primary advantages of these intersections include improved traffic flow, enhanced safety, reduced congestion, and better fuel efficiency. To realize these benefits, traffic safety audits are conducted by reviewing intersection designs, identifying risks, analyzing accidents, and providing recommendations to ensure the safety of all road users.

Correct Turning Procedures

Experts recommend following these steps to ensure your safety while turning:

1. Check your rearview mirror to assess the distance and speed of vehicles behind you, helping you anticipate their movements and avoid sudden braking.
2. Check your side mirrors to spot vehicles or bicycles in adjacent lanes, then quickly glance over your shoulder to confirm there are no blind spots.
3. Activate your turn signal at least 30 meters in advance to inform other drivers of your intention and give them ample time to react to your upcoming maneuver.
4. Position your car to the far right for a right turn, or to the far left for a left turn, well before reaching the intersection to avoid sudden maneuvers.
5. Gently begin to reduce your speed using the brakes before entering the turn, aiming for a speed that allows you full control of the vehicle without losing balance.
6. Pay attention to the traffic signal for your intended direction, ensuring it is green or that turning is permitted, and always yield to pedestrians.
7. Take a final quick glance to the right and left to ensure the path is clear before you begin turning, and always yield to pedestrians crossing the street.
8. Maintain a consistent, low speed throughout the turn, then gradually straighten the steering wheel and accelerate after exiting the curve to merge smoothly.

How to Turn Right and Left

Turning left requires extra precision and caution to cross an intersection safely. Follow these six simple steps to ensure a safe maneuver:

1. Position your car close to the left side of your lane, keeping your wheels straight until the actual moment you begin to turn.
2. Turn on your left turn signal and begin to slow down at least 30 meters before the intersection to inform other drivers of your intention and give them enough time to react.
3. Look in both directions and thoroughly check your left blind spot, as cyclists or pedestrians might be hidden there.
4. Turn only when you are sure the road is clear. As you turn, aim for the lane immediately to the right of the center of the road.
5. Avoid "cutting the corner" and entering the oncoming lane, as this is dangerous and can cause collisions with approaching vehicles.
6. After completing the turn, gradually straighten your steering wheel and safely merge into your final lane.

To turn left: Get into your left lane early, keep your wheels straight, signal at least 30 meters beforehand, check your blind spots, and turn into the lane next to the center of the road without cutting the corner.

The steps to follow before turning right may seem very easy, but neglecting them can endanger pedestrians and cyclists. Therefore, follow these tips carefully:

1. Position your car as far to the right within your lane as possible, approaching the curb without endangering your side mirrors.
2. Check the curb and the adjacent right-hand lane very carefully before turning, as there might be pedestrians or cyclists in your blind spot, and they have absolute right-of-way.
3. Look in all directions—left, right, and straight ahead—and ensure the road is completely clear. Do not rush to turn just because the traffic light is green, as a pedestrian might cross quickly or a vehicle might be approaching at speed.
4. Make sure to turn precisely and stay as far right as possible on the road you are entering, as turning too wide could push you into the oncoming lane and put you at risk of a head-on collision with approaching vehicles.

To turn right: Position yourself as far right as possible, thoroughly check for pedestrians and cyclists in your blind spots, ensure the road is clear, then turn precisely into the far right of the new road, avoiding a wide turn.

Why are turn signals the most important language for communication on the roads?

It is extremely important to use turn signals as a vital language for communication among drivers on all roads. They are a clear message announcing your intention, giving other drivers ample time to react, and eliminating ambiguity that can cause accidents in moments.

Traffic regulations in Saudi Arabia require drivers to use these signals before any lane change or turn. Despite this, neglecting this simple procedure remains a major cause of accidents and dangerous situations, such as sudden braking or unexpected maneuvers without warning, leading to a chain of aggressive reactions on the road.

The turn signal is the language of understanding among drivers on the road.

On Saudi Arabia's busy roads, from fast intercity highways to urban neighborhoods, the turn signal transforms into a life-saving communication language in a fast-paced traffic environment. A single clear signal at the right time can prevent a disaster. Therefore, we present to you 5 golden rules for using this signal on the roads:

1. Activate your signal at least 30 meters before the turn or lane change. This distance is equivalent to about 7 average-sized cars, and you may need a greater distance on highways to give drivers behind you enough time to adapt to your upcoming maneuver.
2. Make sure to cancel the signal immediately after completing the maneuver, as driving with a continuous signal on the road confuses other drivers and undermines your credibility as a professional driver.
3. Always use your signal, from exiting a parking spot to merging into roundabouts, and also on side roads, as sudden movements from cars or pedestrians may occur.
4. Activate your left turn signal when entering the roundabout if your exit is the third or further, and switch your signal to the right immediately before the exit you intend to take.
5. Avoid activating your signal at the last minute, especially on intercity highways, where you should plan your maneuver in advance and signal 5-7 seconds before executing it.

A turn signal is a message of respect you send to drivers around you. Every time you use it, it's as if you're telling them, "I care about your safety."

Mental Readiness: The Key to Safe Turning

While mechanical actions like signaling and braking are fundamental to turning, the driver's psychological and mental state remains a crucial factor in achieving true safety, as a safe turn begins with an alert mind and complete focus on the road.

For example, there's a phenomenon called "Target Fixation," where a driver involuntarily tends to steer towards the point they are visually focused on.

If, on tight turns, you focus your gaze on the curb or barrier you fear hitting, you will unconsciously steer towards that obstacle. Therefore, you must constantly shift your gaze to the point you want to reach at the end of the turn. This simple technique will ensure a smoother and safer turn.

The impact of psychological state on driving also cannot be overlooked. When you are stressed, angry, or distracted, for example, by a phone conversation, your ability to execute basic turning steps is significantly impaired. Your reaction time slows, your ability to judge distances weakens, and you might even forget essential steps like checking for blind spots.

Therefore, it is essential to manage your psychological and mental state before and during driving, as this is an integral part of your responsibility as a driver to ensure your safety and the safety of others.

Mistakes to Avoid When Turning

There are significant turning mistakes that drivers often make, exposing them to risks and traffic violations. These seemingly simple errors can turn into disasters on highways. The most prominent of these include:

1. Rapid lane changes without signaling.
2. Using hazard lights ("flashers") instead of turn signals.
3. Over-reliance on smart assistance systems.
4. Neglecting to use signals in parking lots.
5. Not activating signals at the ideal time, which is usually 3-5 seconds before starting your turn.
6. Not canceling your signal immediately after completing the turn.
7. Turning right from the left lane or vice versa.
8. Turning without leaving enough distance between you and the vehicle in front.
9. Being distracted by your phone while approaching an intersection.
10. Relying solely on mirrors without direct observation.
11. Turning with tires damaged or worn out, which reduces road grip and extends stopping distance.
12. Turning at the same speed on wet roads or in fog, which increases the risk of skidding.
13. Sudden stops in the middle of an intersection or changing your mind about turning at the last minute, which confuses other drivers.
14. Failing to yield to pedestrians, especially at intersections and crosswalks, even when you have a green light.

Properly using turn signals demonstrates your respect for others and your commitment to their safety.

The Role of Smart Technology in Supporting Safe Turning

Although the driver is primarily responsible for operating their vehicle, modern technology has emerged as a smart assistant that enhances travel safety. It's certainly not meant to replace the driver, but rather to support them and provide a higher level of protection by correcting minor errors or warning them of potential hazards they might not notice. Here are examples illustrating how smart systems support safety measures before turning:

• Blind Spot Monitoring System - BSM

This system helps the driver detect any vehicle in their blind spot by illuminating a warning light in the side mirror or emitting a sound, thereby providing additional confirmation that the lane is clear and there's no risk of side-impact collisions.

• Lane Keeping Assist System - LKA

Drivers may unintentionally drift out of their lane during long drives or due to inattention, which poses a significant risk when turning on curved roads. If the car begins to drift, this system alerts the driver with visual and audible signals. It also intervenes, providing corrective steering to maintain a safe vehicle position, thereby ensuring you stay in the correct lane before and during a turn.

• Electronic Stability Control System - ESC

This system is one of the most crucial safety features in modern vehicles, specifically designed to handle critical situations such as turning at an inappropriate speed and losing vehicle balance. The system automatically intervenes in fractions of a second, braking individual wheels to correct the car's path and prevent skidding or rollovers.

Ultimately, the responsibility for safe driving rests with the driver. Modern technology provides a supportive layer of safety that protects you when needed, but it cannot replace your attention and sound judgment on the road.

In conclusion, All these smart steps and advanced technologies ultimately depend on the sole point of contact between your car and the road: the tires. Therefore, your investment in high-quality, reliable tires from a reputable company like Darbk is a sound decision that protects your investment in the car and technology, and ensures that every turn on your journey is as safe as you planned.