When turning left in this situation

Explanation

On entering the junction, give way to the motorcyclist and then complete the turn.

When turning left, priority belongs to vehicles coming from the opposite direction going straight or turning right. In the picture, the motorcycle is approaching from the opposite direction on a straight course and your left indicator is on; that is, you are cutting across its path and must wait.

The second part of the option is just as important: waiting does not mean stopping before the junction. You may enter the junction, move forward to the point where the paths cross, stop there, and complete the turn after the motorcycle has passed. A driver who has entered a junction must complete his manoeuvre; abandoning the manoeuvre or reversing in the middle of a junction is itself an offence and a danger.

Take the safety reason seriously: a motorcycle is narrow, and the human eye underestimates the distance and speed of a narrow object. That is why "turning left in front of an oncoming motorcycle" is one of the most frequent and most lethal urban crashes; the motorcyclist has no safety cell and strikes the car's body directly. Practical rule: instead of estimating his speed, ask yourself "what if he is faster than I think?" and if you are in doubt, wait.

• The width of the road and the small appearance of the motorcycle create the illusion that you have time; but its path is straight and yours is the one that cuts across, so priority is his.

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