Three Point Turns
 

Has anyone else noticed the number of young drivers doing 3 point turns lately, last week there was one doing it in Union Road Ossy, I passed my test in the 60's and I don't think I've done a 3 point turn since. also taxi drivers see to be catching on to it, but then they have their own rules. Whilst I'm on my rant also cars parking facing the wrong way on main roads and then sticking the nose out to make other drivers let them out
does my head in

Re: Three Point Turns
 

My navigation isn't so good, so I have to do many three point turns over the years.

Re: Three Point Turns
 

Where my ma lives, you have to be very good at doing three point turns......if you weren't you would never get back down the hill.

I stopped driving twelve years ago, but when I was working, and given my favourite parking spot......you had to be good at three point turns....many folk were not and I reckon that is why that particular place to park was always left vacant.

Re: Three Point Turns
 

It's not that big a deal, I reckon - it's called the "turn in the road" and ideally should be done in as few points as possible, but whether you use three or more, it's deemed an important enough skill that new drivers are tested on it.

What irritates me about three-point-turns is the number of other drivers or pedestrians who can see what you're doing, but come barrelling right up to you and get in the way, anyway.

And, the number of people who try to use a mini roundabout to return the way they came, then have to reverse because their car doesn't have the turning circle to do it. The mini-roundabout outside my house has signposts on all four corners, so they can't even do it in one move by mounting the pavement (not that that makes it acceptable).


If they do that at night, it's illegal. Not that there's anyone who bothers to enforce that particular law.

It's the ones that lunge halfway out of the space that upset me. I tend to brake late as if I didn't see them, then come to a halt a few inches from their bumper. They aren't going anywhere 'til they reverse back in.

Still, not many people can spare their journey time for a wry little lesson like that.

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What a fine example of a un-courteous driver.
The world would be a much better place if drivers like you didn't believe they have a divine right to be in front of everyone else.

How do you get out of a parking space?
Barge your way out I would bet.

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You park in a manner that doesn't inconvenience all the other road users

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It's them Chelsea tractor drivers and white van men that park close up to your motor on carparks. So close that it's requires a contortionists skills to get into your car.
That really get's my goat D.

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Accidents are caused by two arrogant bone heads meeting up, neither of whom will give way. I was taught to drive in a defensive manner. Too many drivers drive in an aggressive manner. And really: what is the issue of someone doing a three point turn?

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the only issue is that it is done in a safe manner and a safe place.

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Looking out of the window yesterday morning the first thing I saw was a police car doing a three point turn in front of my house. Taxis also do it regularly too, its a bit odd as the street is quite narrow with a high kerb on one side.

Re: Three Point Turns
 

I don't believe I have a divine right to be in front of everyone else. I do believe I have a divine right to react to bullies in a way that makes them think before trying it on someone else.

Because so many drivers are passive the way you think they should be, these bullies are all over our roads. You aren't helping.


Um nope. Big Dave said it already, I don't put myself in that situation.

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I don't think 3 point turns or u-turns should be done on a main Rd.

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I think it depends on the road and the conditions. At 4pm maybe not but at 4am might be ok.

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4am is the time for handbrake turns, surely?

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You're the one who's screeching around Great Harwood!

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Get with the times Studio25........

Doughnuts

Re: Three Point Turns
 

I was taught observation and anticipation, anticipate what other drivers are likely to do and expect the unexpected, that is not passive driving that is defensive driving. If someone is sat in a car, checking the traffic in both directions, it is likely they want to pull out. If I am in a position to let them out I will.
The alternative is to hare up to them, rely on ABS to stop inches from their bumper and then pretend that you are in full control of the vehicle.

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It's aggressive drivers who are more likely to get involved in road rage.

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Not me, guv. If I tried a handbrake turn in my car, I'd end up on my roof.

I've only ever done one such turn when not in a rally car. About 20 years ago I nipped out to the supermarket for some beer with my sister's boyfriend. I asked him about the bloke he'd brought to the houseboat for a meal.
"He's from work." (work was a bail hostel kitchen)
"Why am I cooking for a cook?"
"No, he's a 'client' not staff."
"Oh, what's he in for?"
"Alleged rape."
"You left a rapist alone in my home with my wife and my sister?"
Before he could repeat "alleged" we were heading back the way we came. I think I might have broken the speed limit too.


Now you're talking my language. I do plenty of those. Usually plain, with a brew.

Re: Three Point Turns
 

How do you let someone know that you are prepared to let them pull out?

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Good start...

I think we might be talking at cross-purposes here. I have no problem with allowing other drivers out of parking spaces or side roads if I'm in slow moving traffic. I've no problem with anticipating someone else's need to (say) change lanes and adjust my speed accordingly (either speed up so they can slot in behind me or slow down if it's not going to compromise my two second gap or generate a risk from the car behind me). I only really slow down to give up my right of way for lorries and school buses, though. Lorries because their need to maintain momentum is far more than mine, and school buses because it doesn't matter how evil you were in a former life, there's nothing that justifies being subjected to schoolkids on a bus.

I don't even have a problem with people who make a genuine mistake. It happens - and to me as well.

The specific instance I was talking about was the bully-behind-the-wheel. yanking his car out of his parking space on the wrong side of the road. I resolutely defend my right of way against people who seem to think the rules of the road only apply to other drivers and are there just so they can blast through in any lane at any speed and the other guy is always going to get out of the way.

Yes, you have to drive in such a way that you can stop if (say) a child runs out from between parked cars, but if nobody does anything they are just eventually going to end up as a red stain on somebody's bumper. So, you pip your horn or give them an earful. Much of the time it might help to educate them, some the time you'll just get an obscene sign back. If you don't do it because of the latter group, who unfortunately are no longer a minority, you're being bullied.

Same with the bully driver, although he's safely encased in a metal box, they still have the potential to cause damage to themselves and others. You can do the road rage thing and get out of your car, or you can make their manoeuvre pointless. Which is best? I know your answer already. Someone forces you to brake just so they can get out, you just wave them on. It's not helping.

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The same question could be asked of you, unless, of course, you never let them pull out.

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I would usually slow down leaving a space for them to pull into. I do not flash my lights at people like so many do

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Good answer. If you flash your lights and they pull out and hit another vehicle, it's possible you could be held responsible.

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When I was driving I was taught that even if someone flashed you, it was your responsibility as the driver, to ensure that the action you were about to take was safe.....and never to trust the judgement of another motorist...to make your own judgements.
I would indicate by hand signals to let another driver out in front of me

Three Point Turns
 

Flashing lights isn't a sign you are giving up right of way, it's a sign to say "I'm here"

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I have heard about people being blamed after flashing lights to let someone out so I don't do it. Many do though and many don't know what to do when you wait for them to pull out but you haven't flashed.

Lets be sensible about it though, if I did flash to say I was letting you out it should still be your responsibility to make sure your movement is safe. The judge who let it go the other way wants sacking!!

Re: Three Point Turns
 

This is informative.

Flashing Headlights

Re: Three Point Turns
 

Studio25 - I believe we are at cross purposes but if the bully driver forces his way out, I just let him. Not to be passive but to ensure the safety of myself and my passengers. Blocking some hot head is not a sensible move as it will just make them more aggressive and in extreme cases put others in danger. What happens if Mr. Aggressive bumps into you and he is not insured or the car is stolen - much hassle for you.

Leaving a gap and a gentle wave of the arm is enough to indicate you are letting someone out, if the other person doesn't understand the signal, they really shouldn't be driving.

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Courtesy costs you nothing.

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I prefer not to use the term bully drivers. I call them bad drivers.

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All bully drivers are bad drivers, but not all bad drivers are bullies.

The most common bad drivers I see are the ones using Great Harwood roads who, for some reason, have no idea how roundabouts work. Those and the people who don't realise the dashed white line in the middle of the road is supposed to tell you the boundary your side of the road. I frequently encounter oncoming traffic when driving into Rishton, I used to think they're just driving too fast for the bend and try to iron it out. However the same happens at the lower speed bend near the co-op, there's no speed reason for trying to flatten that one out.

None of these people are bullies, they are just bad drivers.

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Some drivers think that all of the road is theirs.

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As a fellow 'arroder, I quite agree about driving in Great Harwood. I am especially cautious going down Queen Street and on to Tesco's. Pedestrians aren't so clever either, frequently stepping out into the road, oblivious of traffic.

Re: Three Point Turns
 

How to deal with road rage! This made me laugh.

How to Deal with Road Rage | Anger Management On …: How to Deal with Road Rage | Anger Management On the Go - YouTube

Re: Three Point Turns
 

thats because they know they have right of way and no matter what if you hit one no matter how much fault lays at their hands YOU will be the one to suffer especially after a big fat payout from your insurance

we need jaywalking laws like in america where at least some of the pedestrians safety is put in their hands

i was in great harwood one time and a group of teenagers were playing a game of jumping into the road to scare drivers to see if they could make cars swerve yet if they had got hit it would have been the driver at fault.

admittedly i did not swerve i accidently hit the accellorator but my guess is that teenagers pants turned to a shade of brown

ps:

the word accident was used in its loosest form