When turning right onto a dual carriageway. What should you do before emerging?

When turning right onto a dual carriageway, what should you do if the central reservation is too narrow to contain your vehicle?

When turning right onto a dual carriageway, you’re dealing with a busy, high-speed road. Here’s what you should do before emerging:

  1. Check the central reservation
    • Ask yourself: Is it deep enough to fully protect my vehicle if I stop there?
    • If the reservation is wide enough for your car to wait safely, you can cross in two stages (right turn into the central reservation, then join the left-hand carriageway when clear).
    • If it’s not wide enough, you must wait until both carriageways are clear in both directions before moving.
  2. Look carefully in both directions
    • Traffic will be fast — often 60 or 70 mph — so judge gaps accurately.
    • Don’t commit unless you’re absolutely sure you can complete the manoeuvre safely.
  3. Plan your acceleration
    • Be prepared to join briskly. Hesitation once you’ve moved off is dangerous.
    • Get into the left lane as soon as it’s safe.

The official answer the DVSA looks for is:
“Check that the central reservation is wide enough for your vehicle before emerging.”

When turning right onto a dual carriageway, what should you do if the central reservation is too narrow to contain your vehicle?

When turning right onto a dual carriageway, what should you do if the central reservation is too narrow to contain your vehicle?

When the central reservation is narrow, you should treat a dual carriageway as one road. Wait until the road is clear in both directions before emerging to turn right. If you try to treat it as two separate roads and wait in the middle, you’re likely to cause an obstruction and possibly a collision.

  • Check the central reservation: Ensure the central reservation is wide enough to fully protect your vehicle if you stop there; if it is, you can cross in two stages, otherwise wait for both carriageways to be clear.
  • Look carefully in both directions: Observe traffic from both directions, which often travel at high speeds, and only proceed when you’re confident you can complete the maneuver safely.
  • Plan your acceleration: Be ready to accelerate briskly onto the dual carriageway and move into the left lane as soon as it is safe, avoiding hesitation.
  • Assess the safety of crossing in stages: If the reservation is wide enough, cross in two stages; if not, wait until both directions are clear to ensure safety.
  • Official guidance from DVSA: The DVSA emphasizes checking that the central reservation is sufficiently wide for your vehicle before emerging onto a dual carriageway.

What is the official guidance from the DVSA regarding turning onto a dual carriageway?

The DVSA advises drivers to check that the central reservation is sufficiently wide for their vehicle before emerging onto a dual carriageway to ensure safety.

What does planning your acceleration entail when turning onto a dual carriageway?

Planning your acceleration involves being prepared to move quickly and decisively onto the road, avoiding hesitation, and merging into the left lane as soon as it is safe to do so.

Why is it important to look carefully in both directions before emerging onto a dual carriageway?

Because traffic often travels at high speeds, usually 60 or 70 mph, it is crucial to accurately judge gaps in traffic from both directions to ensure you can complete the maneuver safely.

How do I determine if the central reservation is safe for my vehicle?

You need to assess whether the central reservation is deep enough to fully protect your vehicle should you stop there. If it is wide enough, you can cross in two stages; if not, wait until both carriageways are clear.

What precautions should I take before turning right onto a dual carriageway?

Before turning right onto a dual carriageway, you should check if the central reservation is wide enough to fully protect your vehicle, carefully observe traffic in both directions, and plan your acceleration to join the carriageway safely.