The Decision to turn Offside to Offside or Nearside to Nearside

As with most things driving the decision to turn offside to offside or nearside to nearside is situational.
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[@zxbzxbzxb1]

My biggest takeaway from this video is that it's better just to turn left all the time 👍

[@broadsword6650]

One factor not discussed is the size of the vehicles involved. Turning offside-to-offside doesn't work in tight junctions if the facing vehicles are large vans, buses or trucks.

[@samuelbroncek6460]

I´m having a problem starting this video, it says it can´t be played on my browser

[@peterstarmes7110]

Why not call it 'in front or behind ' oncoming vehicle. Simpler IMO.

[@jackagnew9961]

Thought you got wiped out there, at 7:45!

[@anthonycolbert5394]

This video won’t play, says it’s ‘processing’

[@33alwright]

I very rarely use offside to offside. Can't remember when I last used it. I think nearside to nearside is used more often and possibly used by most drivers as the default option. 👍

[@frankmitchell3594]

Yes, when I learned to drive it was always offside to offside. Now mini roundabouts indicate where to do this, otherwise it is nearside to nearside.

[@freddiekb1004]

I completely agree. The only time I use offside/offside is if I am u-turning on a dual carriageway with no markings in the middle (like one of the examples in this vid)

[@andyuk2010]

It's very useful where it's a junction with heavy traffic and you are turning but lots of traffic from the road you are leaving and the road opposite ahead is still coming forwards, as it gives you maximum visibility. I'd only aim for nearside if it was a less congested junction with less forward moving traffic, as in a nearside scenario you're still stuck in the middle of the junction (due to much traffic coming forwards) but now you have terrible visibility to make the exit. I'd say in London I use offside much more

[@supremeleader9838]

when on two wheels, i prefer offside to offside. it means better visibility for you and the oncoming traffic.

[@ma9x795]

I find that to go offside to offside you have to be totally reliant on the person second in line on both sides not blocking the path of the front car on the opposite side. I also find too many people trying to cut corners and dive across the road in front of oncoming traffic. I cannot remember the last time I went offside to offside, and tbh I'm not entirely sure I ever have in 35 years of driving.

[@chrisburn7178]

I've never seen an offside turn in practise in 25 years of driving bikes and cars. I think the human factor that drives this is "must take the shortest possible path because it must be quicker" - the same reason most people cut corners at T-junctions or walk across grass if the pavement is a right angle, it's just an unquenchable human desire.

[@ianmason.]

I honestly can't remember the last time the facing driver let me turn offside-to-offside, even if the junction layout screams out that's the way to do it. The number of people commenting that they were never taught about this might explain why this is. Also, as Ibrahim has already pointed out, on the rare occasion you do get to do an offside-to-offside turn, some joker barrels up and blocks the gap in the queue that's needed to do it successfully.

[@R04drunner1]

Fantastic video and great approach. The HC is totally vague on the subject. When I learned in 1980, we were taught to go offside to offside. In real life, hardly anyone does that. Probably because of the danger of cars getting log jammed if a second vehicle follows the first one onto the junction. Everyone should do right turns at junctions the Ashley way. Life would be that much easier!

[@inyobill]

I do much as recommended, but I have never seen an explicit discussion of the techniques and tactics (annd I've been a licensed driver going on 60 years). Always interesting presentations, Ashley, this one was particularly so for me. Happy to confirm I learned something new. Now my head hurts, thanks, I guess. I do try to be flexible, be clear on what I want/need to do, and watch what the other drives do and try to assist them as I can.

[@inyobill]

@@interpolpirate From the comments, I wonder if this is better discussed in G. B.? As I noted, never saw it discussed in the U. S., nor had I heard it during my training to get my German Drivers' License (earned it 6 1/2 years ago). So many questions, so little time.

[@michaeltempsch5282]

@@interpolpirate Here in Sweden, late 80s, we were taught that there ARE 2 ways to do it, but 99.9% do it the short way (near/near), but to be observant as to if someone will do the other, as you'd be turning across them while they'd be going straight...

[@andrewgilbertson5356]

Lack of flexibility has been my problem in the past. 67 but still willing to learn

[@inyobill]

@@interpolpirate Ahhhh, interesting. Thanks for the courtesy of a response, appreciate it, mate.

[@ibs5080]

I've actually seen situations where there are several vehicles waiting to turn right from both directions, attempting to do so offside to offside (driver to driver side)...and no one from either direction leaving a gap, resulting in everyone stuck in the middle! As the pop song goes "Stuck in the middle with you, and I don't know what to do" (Steelers Wheel).

[@MrJohnny3shoes]

After doing an off to off and a gap is left for you to turn right you are back to square one. The car that kept back is blocking your view.

[@ibs5080]

@@MrJohnny3shoes Yes, exactly!

[@ianmason.]

You quoted the wrong bit from Mr Raffety. Citing "clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, here I am, stuck in the middle with you" seems more apposite.

[@MrJohnny3shoes]

@@ianmason. One thing you're forgetting, the clowns and the jokers would think the same. 😂😂

[@grahambonner508]

Yep, saw the same many decades ago when I was little, remember my mum pointing out to my dad that all the drivers were male 😅 stuck in my mind ever since.

[@Raysnature]

It is very easy to get in a habit so the point about observing the other driver is very important. There is a traffic light controlled junction near me that, from the direction I normally approach from, lends itself to nearside/nearside. Most drivers do this, however now and again a driver approaching the opposite way sees it differently. I'll hold my hand up and admit I've automatically gone to go the way I normally do without observing the other driver on occasion and caused a bit of confusion.

[@sb1056sb]

One thing here I think needs to be covered here is when a larger vehicle has gone beyond half way because it’s the only way to make the turn. You don’t want to go offside to offside then because then it’ll obstruct the turn for the larger vehicle I have seen this happen. By rights initially the larger vehicle should give way, but if it’s already in position you should allow it to clear before proceeding into the junction.

[@Gruggo]

Well, this video seems comletely broken. "Your browser cannot play this video" Error message, in both FireFox and Edge. On my mobile app, audio plays, but it just shows teh thumbnail the whole time. Seen this occur on 1 or 2 other videos in the last couple days, You Tube got some bugs. I know it's not Ashley's fault here, but not sure where else to mention this nonsense.

[@ibs5080]

Another reason to check the road to the right that you are turning into: Are there any pedestrians crossing? I know that in the UK (unlike other countries) any pedestrian light for that line of pedestrian movement would be red "Don't Walk" during the green phase for cars on the adjacent street...but there again, we don't have "jaywalking" laws in the UK. An issue can occur when turning right to be so focused on the oncoming traffic, combined with a "I can make it if I'm quick"...only to find pedestrians crossing the road on the right that you are turning into. Could be an issue if there is an oncoming vehicle carrying straight on!

[@inyobill]

Folks routinely forget to check.

[@richardtyler6405]

Really helpful - I must confess my skill needed improving on this one - the hardest part of driving is reviewing one's own skills!

[@inyobill]

My driving is perfect, so the problem must be with ALL of the other drivers on the road. ;-}

[@mdcollins1984]

Had a perfect case yesterday. I was intending to turn right off the main road onto a side road at a cross roads. Car approaching from the opposite direction wanting to turn to his right and clearly set up to turn NS/NS. He flashed me at least 4 or 5 times to go and I got the impression was getting annoyed that I hadn't. Simple reason I didn't go, he'd moved over and was just straddling the centre line, and had left enough room for a steady stream of traffic to squeeze past his NS and straight past me. Not convinced he noticed tbh. No gap for me to complete the turn safely. In true Ash style, I'm not sure whether there was more I could have done. Possibly to be honest. I.e had I gone too far forward that prevented him passing in front of me, can't really remember but I think I got to the turning point before he did and was just waiting for a gap so perhaps it was just bad luck. 🤔

[@goodyeoman4534]

If you're not sure, always slow down. Buys you time and gives you options.

[@fishsauce7497]

Yeah agree. But you fail for being hesitant in exam.

[@julieaylward7033]

Also, you need to consider the size of the vehicle coming towards you. Larger vehicles may need the space that nearside to nearside would take up just to make the turn at all. A good example would be a coach turning right from Durnill Street on to Edge Lane. All car drivers approaching from Holt Road and turning right go for nearside to nearside but if I do that in a coach, I will demolish the traffic lights in the middle....

[@1over137]

If there are lights controlling so that "crossers" have a cycle to themselves then nearside-nearside works best. If there are not lights, then offside-offside removes the blind spot for through traffic caused by the opposing car.

[@Dannysdrivingschool]

Lots of good pointers there ash often really hard to explain that to pupils , it can be difficult and different each time Ill tell my pupils to have a watch of this 👌🏻

[@ibs5080]

I know in other countries, this turning procedure is standardized to always be nearside to nearside (passenger to passenger). The only exceptions would be if the intersection is staggered. It's interesting to observe that quite a few aspects of UK driving are left up to drivers to decide whereas other countries, it's pretty much written in stone. Signalling a manouvre is another example. In the UK, up to the driver to decide if "anyone will benefit" but in other countries, always a legal requirement.

[@alyx6427]

in the uk it’s still a requirement to signal i’m fairly sure

[@alyx6427]

people just don’t

[@ibs5080]

@@alyx6427 Actually no, not in the UK. The official recommendation is to signal if anyone would benefit but nothing about having to ALWAYS signal. Ashley has often brought this point up in previous videos. Of course, if you didn't signal and an accident resulted due to that, you could be held legally liable. Personally I ALWAYS signal, accompanied by full all round observation.

[@alastairqueen7973]

@@alyx6427 ''If necessary,'' ''correctly,'' and ''in good time,'' are the criteria that an Examiner in the UK would apply. In other words, ''necessary'' means, does any other road user need to know? ''Correctly'' means, well, ''right,'' ''ahead,'' or ''not at all'' [a signal to others in itself]...' ''In good time'' means, has the signal been applied in good time, for others to see and respond to it?.....Plus, is it cancelled correctly? [Not left activated, thus potentially turning into a 'misleading signal?'] This means that ''token gestures''...can be marked as ''faults,'' on a test...[Often seen on roads such as motorways when vehicles intend to move to the right to overtake something? Drivers put on their indicators at the same time as ''moving out.'' Happy that they've 'used' their indicator switch, despite the fact that upcoming drivers have had almost zero time to see, and respond to that indicator. ] Hence, the ''requirement'' you mention is very much subject to the various criteria. Once the test is passed, the Laws covering 'careless'' or 'inconsiderate'' driving come into play, should the need arise. The ''British'' way of leaving more to ''driver discretion'' than other countries, is supposed to encourage better observation and decision-making. Rather than simply doing ''procedures'' like automatons. As Ashley Neal points out, there are many ways of achieving things....If we get too hamstrung with strict process, what happens when the ''other party'' fails to play by the rules?

[@ZwiftyZwifter]

I nearly failed my test when I refused to give an example of a time when not to indicate when pulling out. Examiner “but what if there’s no unseen pedestrians, blind spots, potential for someone to quickly approach….”

[@ruinfox4108]

Love being early to these videos, i legally cant drive but i still love watching these, very informative and entertaining.

[@marklittler784]

Doesn't stop you trying the multiple choice "Quiz" questions either on apps

[@inyobill]

Good prep for when you get tested. I've been licensed for almost 50 years, and still look to where I can improve.

[@thomaselliot2257]

I must admit I am always confused with these scenarios. Either I am crossing the path of oncoming vehicle or the oncoming vehicle is crossing my path. Another good vlog to keep and refer to on KZbin, Ashley. 👌

[@TheMusicianTom]

Similarly to many comments. My dad told me you should turn offside to offside, but he learnt to drive many years ago. I hardly ever see vehicles turn offside to offside, but whenever I see buses and lorries I take my cue from them. As a general rule I allow extra space and time for lorries and buses.

[@unsafevelocities5687]

What an amazing coincidence! I have only recently become aware that this was a thing in the UK and I was just thinking yesterday or the day before I wonder how people decide which to use. Here in Australia, we're required to turn nearside-to-nearside always (that's at least true for Victoria), ie. we must turn to the right of the centre ("telegraph pole") of the intersection. The only time we turn offside-to-offside is when the road engineering forces it (either via a centre line down the space in the median or via an island you must "keep left" around). Oh, and if it's not already obvious we have no terminology for "offside" vs "nearside". Here it is merely referred to as a right turn -- sometimes "right turn across traffic" or "give way traffic light" to emphasis giving way to oncoming traffic and the lack of a protected turn arrow. My initial thoughts on offside-to-offside is that it seemed a bit crazy, but I'd like the better visibility and I think the little "dance" with the oncoming driver looks fun. Now that I think about it this already happens here with offset side-roads where you and the driver opposite are turning right. If you both pick the same gap in traffic, the dance occurs and everybody is pretty civil about it because you're both in the same situation -- allowances are usually made without fuss if one driver lags behind a bit.

[@jaycee330]

I would say the same situation exists in the US as well, these terms are unknown so it's always nearside turning (turning in front of others) for probably the same reasons (the space of the intersection or filtering or markings).

[@unsafevelocities5687]

@@jaycee330 Yeah, from what I've seen I think Australian roads take heavy inspiration from the US.

[@gamewithadam7235]

Love how you and BlackBeltBarrister regularly collaborate. Two of my favourite channels. Absolute Quality.

[@CraigNiel]

Most driving is about being flexible, it's not all set in stone to do things a certain way because each scenario can be totally different. I learnt this due to having a bike license before a car license and you quickly learn that you can't just ride around with the mentality of, "I have priority and I'm doing it right, therefor I will not move" because you'd quickly be dead.

[@ZJS0113]

Keeping left is set in stone...

[@arlosmith9504]

In my experience, there is a North-South divide. Offside-offside is quite common in Northern England, but is rarely seen in the Midlands or the South.

[@adamuk5037]

Yep, if you try that in Wales, with the exception of some junctions with road markings… you’ll crash 😅

[@paul756uk2]

The clip around 5:00 should be pretty obvious. No one in their right mind would go nearside to nearside because not only dies the break in the reservation give a defining point but it also mirrors the road your turning into. If you went nearside to nearside, you'd both be on the wrong side of the road you're approaching!

[@johnhiggins4470]

Offside to offside seems to be rarely used these days. I think you sometimes have to try to read the other driver’s mind, because he or she might have a different idea in mind to you.

[@chasstevens729]

I really enjoyed this video. I think you explained the issues really well. My dad always said that you should turn offside to offside! You couldn't tell himthat he might be wrong sometimes! I am going to make sure that my all my family watch this. Thanks again.

[@contessa.adella]

Offside is the official Highway Code method and should be used…BUT if the oncoming car won’t do the dance you could (potentially) hit it. Caveats: Road markings can force an angle favouring one method or the other!

[@jazzthief81]

During my lessons I was taught offside to offside is better because oncoming cars that are going straight are less likely to get caught out by you crossing their path. With the near side approach you can be hidden from view if both cars waiting in the middle are waiting for a gap to go.

[@paull7725]

In Italy it’s nearside. In France (and most European countries) it’s offside - unless impossible. Simpler. I prefer offside myself as 1) the view is clearer. 2) less tempted to cut corners. 3)last but not least, if Mr. Nearside thinks Mr. Offside will head nearside, and turns in front of him… bang❗️ In the end, it is Mr. Nearside that cut the path of a car coming from the opposite direction… I doubt his insurance will consider his « he should have copied me as I went nearside to nearside! »

[@drsnz]

No-one here in New Zealand does off-side to off-side, even if the road layout calls for it. I don't think that technique has ever been taught. So I always hold back and use that edging forward technique because you can't see round the crossing vehicles.

[@ProdigalPorcupine]

I like my Akaso, but the touchscreen is poor, which a few reviewers had mentioned. It lets an otherwise excellent product down. I'd also have liked to be able to plug a standard 3.5mm microphone into it, preferably stereo. No such luck...

[@dave6445]

In the 40 years of my driving, I've found its just easier to do opposite to on coming traffic turning opposite to me, or if I'm away quicker than them, they follow me, in nearside to nearside. Many junctions in and Manchester and Liverpool have the offside to offside lanes and they do cause bottle necks. not the cleverest off an idea, when theirs 4 lanes of traffic. 3 lanes could be running and because a flow of straight ahead traffic, is still coming across, its always blocks them wanting to turn right, because the opposite lane that again wants to turn right are blocking my exit. Hope that makes sense.

[@jeremyashford2115]

Roundabouts and mini roundabouts are a guide. You always pass o/s-o/s there. Other intersections, if you can imagine them being a mini roundabout, that is if there is room in the centre of the intersection for a mini roundabout it might be advisable to act similarly. This would be the case when turning into a dual carriageway, likely also when turning out of one. If there is not room in the intersection, or if the roads are laid out or marked for n/s-n/s then that is the obvious way to turn. Do not make intersections more difficult than they need to be. Keep it simple.

[@insoft_uk]

Just says We’re processing this video. check back later. what’s up with KZbin 🤔

[@whodar3swins]

When it comes to those lights (6:08) if I was the driver going straight, i'd naturally just flash or wave them on first, as I find this much kinder to others if they are having a particularly hard day... I always drive to the nature that everyone else needs a wave.

[@jastat]

Every time I've seen someone use offside to offside when they could have used nearside it's been a total disaster leading to gridlock when the the car behind blocks the one opposite trying to turn

[@lmaoroflcopter]

A candidate where offside to offside can improve traffic flow is at a minor/major cross roads without signal control. Traffic turning alternate directions from the minor roads should turn offside to offside. It allows two vehicles to move smoothly out of either side of the junction and clear safely. If a car chooses nearside to nearside, it causes a blockage for the vehicle opposite.

[@michaelwhittaker8219]

I was told that it should be done offside-to-offside. But nobody does it that way, so go nearside-to-nearside because it's predictable.

[@jys160]

A good explanation Ashley but you would not like to fail your test because the examiner thought you had taken a particular junction wrong.

[@andyalder7910]

Your browser can't play this video. Odd since I watched it this morning.

[@1obsessionafteranother794]

I can’t think of a time when I’ve used offside/offside, unless the junction was marked like that

[@steved3702]

I can't ever recall using offside-to-offside except for a very few intersections that are marked as such due to an unusually-wide median, but I think Australian roads are better marked in that respect. Or we just have more space for intersections since our roads are not quite so ancient. One place where there was confusion is Longreach in Queensland where there are indeed power poles in the dead centre of intersections. Many drivers use them as if they are roundabouts and so nearside-to-nearside is possible and common among visitors. I did it the first time but went back to offside-to-offside once I recognised the conundrum and watched the locals for a bit as a pedestrian. Locals are more likely to be driving dusty utes and pick-ups in case you're wondering.

[@hannahbnana4942]

I’ve encountered this in Bathurst and it Was a bit confusing - Streetlights in the road acting as a roundabout (sort of)

[@steved3702]

@@hannahbnana4942 I missed that. Must have been driving around (and around) a different part of Bathurst! 😃

[@ibs5080]

One other little "refinement" I add in these kinds of right turns when nearside to nearside and having to wait: To position myself as "reasonably" far over to the right as is I can but WITHOUT getting in the way of oncoming traffic. In order to increase visibility of oncoming traffic around the oncoming vehicle that is also waiting. Similar principle to positioning for optimal visibility on bends...and bearing in mind Ashley's previous video on this re "taking an inch or two" to improve visibility rather than an out and out effort to totally maximize visibility by being as far over to the right as possible...and potentially a greater risk from oncoming traffic.

[@cactusbase3088]

This also makes your own vehicle more visible to oncoming traffic so they can also adjust their approach and be ready to avoid an accident if a bad judgement is made.

[@marklittler784]

Maybe someone will come up with the idea of a fibre optic camera borescope, endoscope situated on a aerial for a better higher view.

[@rufusgreenleaf2466]

People usually go offside to offside when a box marking requires it, but when the floor is blank people will usually go nearside to nearside because everyone wants to turn as soon as possible.

[@joshoxley4445]

Thanks for making the point at the end that a big part of this is learning how to adapt to the situation, and not getting stuck in a routine. The offside/nearside conflict caused me my first accident this year. Both drivers wanting to turn right, very narrow and blind to the left from both sides. A lack of communication/cooperation led to the collision, equal blame really. But I had done that route a dozen times in the passed couple of days as I was doing a house move and so I'd gotten in to a routine instead of adapting to the other driver.

[@marklittler784]

If you directly face opposing right turners in their lane it helps traffic behind have an extra lane for proceeding forward trouble is if opposing traffic wants to go straight in that lane.

[@traykey]

Fantastic vid Ash. Simplified something that can be tricky. I have also learnt from this.

[@brantnuttall]

here's one from me. when 2 cars come to a main road and both want to turn right on to it, if it's quiet, I find that offside to offside is miles better because you can both join the main road at the same time, rather than waiting for the other driver resulting in a Mexican standoff.

[@Mark...]

I think near side to near side is most common for me, only time I do it the other way is when the road markings dictate it, and even that is rare.👍

[@stco2426]

Very many thanks for this. I often thought the driver to driver was a dying breed of turns and have been keen to see you make this. What you’ve shown is that it’s much more down to architecture of the road design (a bit, such as where the road being turned in to has a central reservation) and also down to behaviour (how the others turn). Another decision point might also be the type of other vehicle turning. A lorry is likely to adopt a different approach to its turn (and we need to respond differently) to a small car (and we might operate differently at the same junction). I kind of wish road designers were a bit more explicit in their choices and markings so it was a bit more obvious for drivers. I sort of don’t routinely ‘adopt’ a driver to driver approach where there’s a symmetrical and simple cross junction. This might be emergent behaviour where I expect this was more common before I learned to drive and roads are busier and junctions are now more controlled now. Hanging back a touch to see how others behave is great advice, especially on unfamiliar roads.

[@andrewgilbertson5356]

I have struggled with this in the past, will try to be more adaptable in the future

[@mikejennings6887]

Thanks Ashley, glad the problem has now been resolved.

[@G0LGS]

I cannot remember the last time I did offside-to-offside.

[@michaelsowerby8198]

There are some really good learning points in this video. Excellently done. 👍

[@JJ1689ZA]

As a few have commented - Offside to Offside relies upon other vehicles in the opposite direction (and wanting to turn) not blocking you. If this happens in both directions then everyone is gridlocked ! Great video - some smashing points (OK that was badly worded LOL).

[@rogerwilcojr]

Offside to offside can become a problem with more than one car turning in each direction. An example showing how to handle being 2nd or 3rd in line to turn in an offside to offside situation would have been helpful - or would you just switch to nearside to nearside?

[@marklittler784]

Yeah so if your a van driver try to encourage drivers to turn behind you.

[@grahambonner508]

I do remember seeing junctions where offside to offside is indicated in the road markings, may not have been in the UK though.

[@drmal]

It's probably one of the most tricky parts of driving I think. On approach you're assessing the state of the lights (if there are any), road markings, the geometry of the junction, what other turning road users are (or should) be doing, other traffic flow and what's going on down the side roads, all the while trying to make progress and avoid a deadlock situation. Any one of those factors can mean having to change from the "right" approach for any particular junction. It must be hard to teach this stuff, it's a skill that takes time and experience to develop.

[@themittonmethod1243]

in my jurisdiction (BC Canada - driving on the opposite side of the road to you brits) 95% of the turns "should" be done passenger side to passenger side (we are not taught "near side or offside" terminology - in fact, there is NO instruction about the difference at all! - as a motorcycle instructor/mentor i DO cover the flexibility for vision and safety for my riders, but this is me personally, not formal official doctrine here.) Cheers and thank you for posting the video, Ashley!

[@goldilocks913]

First time I attempted offside to offside was on my moped on the first day on the road. I’m now nearly 57 and never tried it since .

[@ggxrazorz]

honestly these sort of made me un easy before now but your way of explaining things is bang on next time i get one of these im definitely going to be able to handle it more competently (learner driver)

[@bofor3948]

As a driver from the 70's era I was taught generally the rule was offside to offside but, over the years I have adapted to the approach you have. The objective is to get safely and quickly through the junction with minimum hold up for everybody. My biggest gripe is with those who enter the junction showing a nearside to nearside attitude but continue into the pathway of vehicles going straight across causing them to have to move further left to continue or blocking their exit. Then having to allow the thoughtless/rude move to complete and maybe attract abuse from those behind.

[@andyalder7910]

Thankfully the council makes the decision a lot of the time.

[@tony_w839]

This has always been a problem for me, even after over 50 yrs driving. The highway code recommends offside to offside as it gives a clearer view. Using near to near need extra care. Drivers appears to prefer near to near, is this because it allows corner cutting? Does near to near improve flow? Going near to near means, waiting /taking more care / going slower, till you are able to see to be safe. However, I now do as Ashleigh recommends, watch the other driver (most tend near to near ) and drive to suit, waiting until I can see the road is clear, instead of being able to go earlier if we had been off off and I could see the road was clear. I like the idea of imagining a telegraph pole, thanks, I'm still learning.

[@clivewilliams3661]

When I had lessons 50 years ago life was much simpler and the requirement back then was to pass offside to offside as it gave maximum visibility of on coming traffic and some time ago it was tested when at a lights controlled junction I was in the LH lane to carry straight on with a car turning right in the RH lane, As I got to the rear of the RH lane car another car popped out from the front of it moving forward to see what was coming and it was me! The collision stuffed my offside front corner in and as I had only third party insurance I had to claim from the other drivers insurance, which refused to pay out as they said that I should have avoided the accident by turning left into the side road. That simply wasn't possible in the short distance I had when the other car became visible. I have noted that many junctions have lane markings that require nearside to nearside passing that leaves the car turning right completely unsighted so that far from aiding traffic flow, I hang back allowing the car turning across me to clear the junction to give me adequate visibility, this has helped me at one large junction many times and prevented coming together with an approaching car. I take Ashley's point that each junction should be handled individually but the tendency is to pass nearside to nearside by lazy drivers. Hanging back to see what the on coming vehicle does is not a very good option as what happens when both you and the on coming vehicle decide to do the same - "After you Claude." "No after you Harry"....................

[@frafraplanner9277]

In that case, hopefully one vehicle is taller than the other and therefore has better visibility and could go first. If not...

[@johnhodkinson2063]

I agree that you react to the situation, as it presents itself. Sadly, however, that doesn't help the learner on their test if the examiner is determined that there is a specific way it should be done.

[@ashley_neal]

Good luck to any examiner who says that to one of my students 👍

[@drbennyboombatz9195]

I must just do this totally unconsciously because I've never thought about it, I've had a driving licence nearly 3 decades, If I was asked I don't think I could explain to a learner why you go off or near side, to be honest I don't wanna start thinking about it, probably do my head in hahaha

[@PedroConejo1939]

I was taught in the 70s to do offside-offside as a default, and I seem to remember that was what was shown in the HWC at the time. After I passed my test, I quickly found that most drivers wouldn't even think about doing that. I genuinely cannot remember the last time I did offside to offside. That's not to say that I would refuse to do that, but visibility issues aside, it's generally quicker. Some countries don't permit it.

[@jonp6798]

I don’t remember any of this from my lessons. I’m sure I was taught something but I certainly don’t remember it and I also don’t have a clue what decisions I make at junctions. I guess I’ll be paying a bit more attention now to see what happens.

[@mismagiuz]

Crazy how much clearer and smoother the video is from the Akaso camera compared to say even the most expensive dash cams. Really shows you how behind the tech currently is.

[@tohaklim]

Was surprised to find out some countries (IIRC) mandate nearside to nearside turns. I suppose it helps when it's a universally accepted rule (just like it would with eg giving ways to pedestrians crossing a side road)

[@tohaklim]

good point on the filter arrow, I didn't realise that might be the road layout designer's hint

[@ZJS0113]

I don't usually learn much from Ashley, but I have from this video

[@robg521]

Yep you nailed it 👍 Some are obvious as dictated by the positioning of the oncoming Lane. Some are indicated by road markings. Some a indicated by filter lane signs/lights Some are dictated by the position and angle of the exit roads And some are 50/50 depending on the positions and intentions of the other road users. [look ahead, give yourself time to establish which, be positive…. don’t dither, and don’t go for the middle and block everything] ***and if you go Nr side to Nr side bloody well look out for other traffic coming though***

[@gibepp]

Video not playing for me either. Audio but no video, strange thing is when you scrub through you can see there is something there. Think it's a KZbin issue as anything else plays ok.

[@ashley_neal]

I’m looking in to it 👍

[@S_G_B]

Its saying "Your browser can't play this video" but only for this video?

[@ashley_neal]

I’m looking in to it 👍

[@cliffjg]

You are absolutely right about watching what other driver is doing and mirroring them. Otherwise, if you try and turn offside to offside, they can be confused and cut cut across in front of you, assuming a nearside to nearside. Some junctions with marking make things clearer. As always, approach with caution.

[@anon1903kg]

There are some junctions that I use that would quite often benefit from an offside to offside turn but I find it impossible to get other drivers to position that way and instead the junction gets blocked until the lights change. I only ever see it used when there are line markings forcing it.

[@inyobill]

I'm not familiar with the terminology, so I assume sopmething for me to learn here. Possibly, I do something similar without knowing the terminology. Now to give the vid a good perusal and see what's what.

[@stevecole9674]

I realised recently that when I was at school, we were taught to memorize rather than understand (I left school nearly 40 years ago), I've always found tests very easy because of that, I took a motorbike theory test about 8 years ago, bought the book with all the questions (most are just common sense!) But I read through that for a couple of days and and got all the questions right. What I like about this channel is the comments from people my age and older who feely admit there's things they didnt know or didnt understand. Education isn't just for the young.

[@DeltaHFF]

I have never even heard about offside to offside. It is just not a thing in my country. Would be a really confusing situation to deal prior to seeing this video

[@kenbrown2808]

the US makes it easy: unless it is a roundabout, the turn will be nearside to nearside, by law; and the junction will be laid out to accommodate that.

[@jaycee330]

I think that's why UK allows offside, because junctions that are hundreds of years old cannot be widen to force nearside turning.

[@MatrixFuse]

Anyone else unable to play this video?

[@ryanmitcham5522]

Same: 'your browser can't play this video', tried 3 different browsers and rest of youtube is playing fine.

[@GtMatt]

Same here, can't watch this video, even tried using VLC media player to watch and it returns a tonne of errors and refuses to play @Ashley Neal

[@ashley_neal]

No idea peeps. I might have to re upload

[@two-countiesdashcam]

same here, on Chrome

[@MatrixFuse]

@@ashley_neal yeah Ash i really wanted to watch this video as well, it's something I wanted to learn about. My app won't play it and all my browsers too

[@spark-cl5bp]

Love your videos Ashley, they keep me in check after watching them on my day to day driving. Been driving for 30 years and I was taught to keep left ( assume the reason for this is because us brits drive on the left)when turning right UNLESS the road markings tell me otherwise. Never had a problem with this tbh , noticed over the years that by going by this rule the problem corrects unsure drivers who maybe have been taught what you say in your video

[@margaretnicol3423]

It also depends on how busy the roads are and whether cars have the sense to leave some turning gaps. I'm thinking of the ones who pile into the queue turning even though their light has gone red.

[@bubblebus1]

This was helpful. I passed my test in the 1970s and was taught to "drive on the left" in accordance with the then Highway Code I still have the copy.) In turn, we were taught that the default rule was to pass offside to offside and never to cut in front of an oncoming vehicle. Driving more to the left also meant that the preferred turn was helped by the extra distance between the offsides of the two vehicles. I have been hesitant to commit to the nearside version in case I misjudge to situation and cause a collision. I note there are many nearside turns indicated by road markings but the comment about doing what the oncoming driver does is a neat way to learn the latest approaches to traffic behaviour. In my 60s, it's always good to learn something new and useful.

[@broadsword6650]

It's 40 years since I passed my test and in that time the amount of vehicles in the roads has increased massively. Visibility used to be primary concern, as other traffic could approach the junction fast as you turned. Now it's usually more important to get as many vehicles as possible through the junction with each phase of the lights.

[@Batters56]

I’m glad that around my local streets in Orpington everything is nicely marked up on the roads. The only thing you have to watch out for is whether you’ll get a protected right turn or not as it changes depending on the time of day and you always have to double check whether the opposing traffic is coming or not, especially if you arrive at the green light.

[@Tillyard86]

Didn't even know offside to offside was an option TBH.

[@mickjackson2450]

Very clearly presented Ashley!!

[@johnkeepin7527]

The other point to note is that it can be useful to learn how the signalling is set up for particular junctions. E.g. for some layouts with painted lane marking lines that require pass on the left side and with stop lines in the middle of the junction, and suitable signalling, it is possible for opposing moves to have green, so one has to give way at the stop line, but there are other setups at which they do not, so in effect a green arrow gives one right away across the whole lot (as long as the conflicting move actually stops at red, that is!). Not far from where I live, there are some junctions which were set up to allow opposing moves, like that, and others that do not. Some junctions were the responsibility of the local authority, and the others belonged to Highways, so it pays to learn the route to interpret it correctly. For some of them, a green arrow is a full on right away across the junction, but strangers might not know that. In the absence of local route knowledge, it’s important to be defensive, even if the locals grumble about it.

[@chrishar110]

I don't know why but I can't see the video. Ash, I can see other videos at your channel but not that one.

[@two-countiesdashcam]

same here, on Chrome

[@patrickormerod3472]

never done offside to offside