5 Steps to Safe and Proper Turns
Turning is one of the basic maneuvers of driving and also one of the most important. When making right turns, left turns, and U-turns, always remember to do the following steps:
- Signal and slow down or brake before the turn
It’s important to signal before reducing your speed, as this is how you’ll warn vehicles behind you of your intentions of turning. Remember that you must signal 100 feet before turns in residential/city driving areas and 200 feet in highway/rural areas. When making a turn at an intersection without a stop sign or red light, it is not required that you come to a complete stop, but you’ll still need to slow down to a safe speed and be aware of other cars coming from all directions.
- Scan through the turn to the center of the lane
Scan the stopping area for potential hazards such as other vehicles, pedestrians, or debris in the roadway. Then, identify the proper lane before turning and aim for the center of the lane.
- Use the hold-and-turn method with lesser turns
With the hold-and-turn (sometimes known as the pull-push-slide) steering method, your hands do not cross each other. This method is only used in situations where you are traveling around a curve.
- Use the hand-over-hand method with sharper turns
As the name suggests, your hands are going to cross each other while turning the wheel. Hand-over-hand may feel awkward at first, but it’s the proper and safest method for making a turn. By having both hands on the wheel, you are prepared to make a quick, evasive action if need be mid-turn.
- Accelerate out of the turn when safe
At the halfway point of the turn, begin accelerating gently and you’ll feel the vehicle begin to straighten itself out. Don’t let go of the wheel totally, but gently hold on and allow it to move back to the centered position. Hand-over-hand method will require some practice.
It’s important for beginner drivers to learn and executive these steps in order to do a proper turn. Practice these techniques in a large, open parking lot, or another area without traffic or pedestrians. Interested in learning more? For more safe driving tips for teen drivers, click here.
Frequently asked questions
How far in advance should I signal before making a turn?
Illinois and most Midwest states require drivers to signal at least 100 feet before a turn in residential or city areas, and at least 200 feet before a turn on highways or in rural areas. Signal first, then brake. Signaling before slowing down gives drivers behind you time to react and reduces rear-end risk. Top Driver instructors drill this sequence early because new drivers often slow down first and signal as an afterthought, which defeats the warning the blinker is meant to provide.
Do I have to come to a complete stop before every turn?
Not always. A complete stop is required when there is a stop sign, red light, or another traffic control device telling you to stop. At an uncontrolled intersection where no stop sign or signal applies to your direction, you only need to slow to a safe turning speed and scan for cross traffic, pedestrians, and cyclists. That said, you must always be prepared to stop if a hazard appears. Speed going into the turn should match how tight the turn is and how clear the path through it is.
When should I use hand-over-hand steering versus the pull-push-slide method?
Use hand-over-hand for sharper turns, like 90-degree intersection turns and tight parking lot maneuvers. Your hands cross over each other on the wheel, which lets you put the wheel through more rotation quickly. Use the pull-push-slide method, sometimes called hold-and-turn, for gentler curves and lane corrections where your hands stay on opposite sides of the wheel without crossing. Both methods keep both hands on the wheel, which is essential for control if you need to make a quick evasive correction mid-turn.
What should I scan for as I approach a turn?
Look through the turn to the center of your target lane before you start steering. Scan the intersection and stopping area for hazards including oncoming vehicles, pedestrians in the crosswalk, cyclists in the bike lane, and debris in the roadway. Pick the correct lane to land in, especially on multi-lane roads where right turns go into the right lane and left turns generally go into the left-most available lane. Where your eyes go, the car follows, so aim them where you want to end up.
When should I start accelerating out of a turn?
Begin gentle acceleration around the halfway point of the turn, once the front of the vehicle is pointed toward where you want to go. As you accelerate, the front wheels will naturally want to straighten out, so let the wheel slide back through your hands under light control rather than letting it spin freely. Never fully release the wheel. Smooth, gradual throttle helps the car settle into the new lane and avoids the lurch that comes from finishing the turn and then mashing the gas.
Where should new drivers practice turning before doing it in traffic?
Empty parking lots are the gold standard for early turn practice. Look for large lots that are closed or unused on weekends, such as office complexes, community colleges, or shopping centers before opening hours. The open space lets you rehearse the signal-brake-scan-steer-accelerate sequence at low speed without traffic or pedestrians. Once the muscle memory is in place, move to quiet residential streets, then to busier intersections. Top Driver behind-the-wheel lessons follow this same progression with a certified instructor in the car.
