Many small decisions that people make in traffic can cause collisions. A choice as minor as turning left at a busy intersection can have devastating consequences. Researchers have determined that more than 60% of all collisions at intersections involve a vehicle turning left.
This knowledge has influenced how delivery companies plan driver routes. They often have drivers follow strange paths to avoid turning left, especially at busy locations. Local authorities may design intersections to reduce the risk of a left-hand crash occurring. They may replace busy intersections with roundabouts or might add designated left-turn lanes.
Sometimes, turning left is the most direct route to a destination, but drivers may need to be particularly cautious as they turn. What factors make left turns so dangerous for drivers?
Protracted exposure
A right turn is a relatively quick maneuver because drivers stay on the right side of the road. Left turns, on the other hand, are much broader and slower. The vehicle ends up exposed to all approaching lanes of traffic. Anyone else could potentially strike them as they turn.
Surveillance or communication issues
Many drivers become complacent, especially on roads that they travel frequently. They may fail to use their turn signals, which can lead to other people misinterpreting their intentions. They could also cause crashes because they don’t monitor their surroundings as carefully as they should. Everyone approaching an intersection needs to make efforts to communicate with other drivers and to monitor the actions of other nearby vehicles. Drivers turning left without using their turn signals and those who fail to notice signals could end up involved in major collisions.
Failure to yield
There are rules at intersections that govern the flow of traffic. At four-way stops, the party who stops first usually proceeds first. At intersections with lights, the lights determine who stops and who proceeds. Sometimes, drivers choose not to yield the right of way as they should at an intersection, which can have devastating consequences for drivers turning left.
Learning more about the underlying causes of car crashes can help people protect themselves and their passengers. Those who are not at fault for collisions may be able to seek compensation from drivers who cause collisions as a result of their negligent behavior.
