Driving Tips > Safety Columns
10 lesser-known facts about turning
Drivers typically make dozens of turns every day – yet many misunderstand some of these basic principles:
| For all turns | ||
| 1. | Once you’re in the proper lane, you should signal at least 30 metres before the turn – or at least 150 metres outside of cities, towns or villages. |  |
| 2. | Before turning at a red light, you must come to a complete stop. | |
| 3. | Turn from and into the proper lanes. Before turning right, move into the right lane nearest to the curb. Then turn into the right lane closest to the curb. If you’re turning left, turn from the lane furthest to the left and turn into the lane furthest to the left. | |
| 4. | If there are two or more turning lanes, stay in the corresponding lane as you complete your turn. | |
| 5. | Remember, drivers approaching an intersection must always yield to any road users already within the intersection. | |
| For left turns | ||
| 6. | If you are turning from a one-way to another one-way street, it’s legal to make a left turn on a red light, provided there is no sign prohibiting it; you come to a complete stop, and don’t interfere with other traffic or pedestrians.. | |
| 7. | In two-way traffic, turn left of the centre of the intersection. | |
| 8. | Always yield to pedestrians at crosswalks and oncoming traffic, even if you think you have the right-of-way. Otherwise, you could be held responsible for any resulting collisions. | |
| 9. | You must move up into the intersection and wait until it’s safe to turn. However, only one car should enter the intersection at a time. | |
| U-turns | ||
| 10. | Even where U-turns are legal, it’s usually safer to go around the block instead. U-turns are prohibited near or at curves, approaches at or near the crest of a hill where there is not at least a 150 m clear view of oncoming traffic and places where a sign prohibits U-turns. If you’re not sure that a U-turn is permissible, don’t make one. | |
For more information, watch The 60-Second Driver on CTV and check out the following section on our website:
- Safe Left Turns in Driving Tips
- Turn Signals in Driving Tips
- You can access the 60-Second Driver video on Left Turns directly
