The junction presents a plethora of problems to almost any driver of any experience and not just the learner driver.
A junction on a driving test is the place where most candidates fail, primarily due to the high amount of activity and the low levels of experience a learner driver has.
It's also a place that any driver would more than likely experience a collision should it happen.
The traditional junction most people think of is a T Junction.
Other forms exist and we will mention those here.
Side roads
Where the driver is leaving the major road to join a minor road usually on the left or right hand side of the carriageway. Dressed with only a single dashed white line upon entry into the side road, this shows that it is slightly dangerous and care must be given to road users on the new road, such a pedestrians crossing from one side to the other.
T Junction
Where the minor road meets a major road, and the shape of the junction is in a T shape. The minor road being the vertical line of the T and the major road the horizontal line along the top of the T shape. Priority is given to the new road and assessments must be made in all directions as to the roads safety before emerging.
Y Junction
Where the minor road meets a major road, and the shape of the junction is in a "y"shape. The minor road being the shorter line of the "y" and the major road being the longer line, along the length of the "y" shape. Priority is given to the new road and assessments must be made in all directions as to the roads safety before emerging. This could also be an upside down "y" shape or a back to front "y" shape, the minor road is still the shorter line in this representation.
Crossroads
Where the minor roads meet major roads and the shape of the junction is in a + shape. The road signs, markings and the volume of traffic in a given area, this will dictate which drivers have the priority in the given circumstances. Sometimes traffic lights are used to control the flow of traffic, again dependent on the volume of traffic using the crossroads.
Roundabouts
Formed from crossroads, these types of junction allow priority to be given to one side only. This can make for an easier and safer exit into a new road, again circumstance dependent. Most roundabouts are four lane entrance/exit but multiple entrance/exit roundabouts exist usually requiring traffic lights and "spiral road markings" (spiral roundabouts) to funnel the flow of traffic to the correct destinations.
Sliproads
These junctions are a redesigned version of the city "y" junction and are tailored for higher speeds and better visibility. As the driver approaches the new carriageway the sliproad is longer and straighter, designed like this to allow increased acceleration with increased visibility. Due to the higher speeds of the new road a driver must be able to see further ahead and to the rear.
Box Junction
An area on the road (usually a crossroads although not necessarily) where there is a painted yellow criss-cross grid spanning the centre of the junction area. This is to highlight a necessity to keep this area clear. It is permissible to enter into the box junction if your exit road is clear. The need for this area to be clear is usually due to high volumes of traffic and the need to allow the junctions to flow and clear easily, easing congestion.
Open or Closed Junctions
The term here used by many driving instructors describes the visibility at the junction edge. A closed junction is a junction with poor visibility to any of the new roads. This restriction of view leads the driver to "peep and creep". It is necessary to increase the visibility (peep) and emerge slowly (creep) a little at a time to be sure it is safe to emerge. Visibility is usually hindered by parked vehicles, housing, countryside or garden foliage and growth. An open junction therefore is one that allows the driver to see much greater distances in any direction. This does allow for a quicker emerging from the junction and contributes greatly to traffic movement and flow.
The "GIVE WAY" junction, usually a T or "y" junction, is dressed with thick double dashed white lines spanning the exit side of the minor road to highlight the necessity for care upon emerging. This is to make the driver note that they do not priority upon entering the new road.
The "STOP" junction is dressed with a thick solid white line spanning the exit side of the minor road. The driver has a legal obligation to stop at the line and assess to the roads safety before emerging. A stop junction is usually created where the junction is more dangerous and more care must be taken.
Points to note:
Any junction can present a problem if sufficient observations aren't taken and/or the driver doesn't have control of the speed upon arrival, and emerging from the situation. Without caring for these two critical components the junction will always be a challenge everytime. More paint = more peril.
