The three-point turn (sometimes called a Y-turn, K-turn, or broken U-turn) is the standard method of turning a vehicle around to face the opposite direction in a limited space, using forward and reverse gears. This is typically done when the road is too narrow for a U-turn, and there are no driveways or sideroads that are conducive to a two-point turn. Three-point turns are dangerous because they make the driver vulverable to uncoming traffic for an extended period of time. For this reason, they are generally recommended to be used only as a last resort.[1] This manoeuvre is a common requirement in driving tests.
Process
editThe basic manoeuvre consists of driving across the road turning towards the offside kerb, reversing across the road to the original nearside kerb while turning, and driving forward towards the original offside kerb, now the nearside.[2] In a narrow road or with a longer vehicle, more than three legs may be required to achieve a full 180 degree rotation.
Naming
edit"Three point turn" is the most common name in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and in many regions of the United States.[3][2][4][5][6][7] Less common terms are: "Y-turn",[8] "K-turn",[9] and Broken U-turn[10] but in the UK, the official name is "Turning in the road (using forward and reverse gears)",[11] and in Ireland it is called a "turnabout",[12] because an acceptable turn may include more than three points.[13]
Notes
edit- ^ Scotti, Anthony J. (27 March 2007). Professional Driving Techniques. Photographics Publishing. p. 195.
- ^ a b MTO 2009.
- ^ vicroads 2012.
- ^ NZTA Road Code: http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/roadcode/driving-skill-syllabus/lesson-18.html
- ^ New York State Department of Motor Vehicles. "Driver's Manual - Chapter 5". October 2011. Retrieved on 20 July 2013.
- ^ Arizona Department of Transportation. "Non-Commercial Driver License Examiner Manual". 1 April 2010, pp. 22-24. Retrieved on 20 July 2013.
- ^ North Carolina Department of Transportation. "North Carolina Driver's Handbook". January 2012, p. 9. Retrieved on 20 July 2013.
- ^ wiscroads 2012.
- ^ Moore, Greg. "School district sued over fatal crash" (News release). Idaho Transportation Department, 5 October 2011. Retrieved on 20 July 2013.
- ^ Mallozzi, Vincent M. "Now, Don't Hit That Cone". New York Times, 11 September 2005. Retrieved on 20 July 2013.
- ^ "Driving and transport: Teaching people to drive", www.gov.uk/
- ^ "Rules of the Road" (7th revision, 2019), Road Safety Authority
- ^ DfT 1991, p. 212.
References
edit- Department for Transport (1991). Driving. HMSO. ISBN 978-0-11-550355-9.
- Ministry of Transportation of Ontario (2009). "Three-Point Turn". The Official MTO Driver's Handbook.
- "Vicroads, How your driving is assessed". Archived from the original on 29 March 2015. Retrieved 16 March 2012.
- "Wisconsin Department of Transportation, Class D road test study guide".
Further reading
edit- Driving Standards Agency (2010). "Turning in the Road". The official DSA guide to driving: the essential skills (7th ed.). The Stationery Office. pp. 192–193. ISBN 978-0-11-553134-7.