Blue Ridge Driving School

Lesson 3

Proper Steering

Techniques
and

Proper Turns

Lesson 3

Proper Steering Techniques and Proper Turns

Objectives:

1. To learn the proper hand position for steering.
2. To practice proper steering techniques. To perform the correct procedures for hand-

over-hand and push-pull steering.
3. To identifr the fundamentals and judgments ofturning correctly.
4. To perform procedures and execute the fundamentals and judgments of left and right

ttltlls.

5. To learn the different lane positions within a lane.

Proper Steering Techniques

There are two acceptable methods formaking tums, hand-over-hand steeriug and push-pull
steering. It is recommended that both methods be practiced. The driver must determine the
method that is most comfortable and best contols steering the car. When using the hand-over-

t_ hand method, hands should be placed at the 10-2 or 9-3 position on the steering wheel. When
using the push-pull method, hands should be placed at the 8-4 position on the steering wheel.
Due to changes in steering ratios and effort needed to tum the wheel, steering control requires a

(_ balanced hand position to avoid sudden vehicle movements.

Steering

tr 1. Use proper hand position:

2. Both hands should be on the steering

wlreel in a balanced position.

3. The best position is at 9 and 3, l0

and2, or 8 and 4 as on the face of a

tr4. clock.
Use proper steering techniques:

5. All steering corrections should be

made gently and smoothly with a
slight pull down on the steering

wheel in the direction you want to

go.

n 6. Look far ahead at the cpnter of your

intended path, but keep eyes

moving.

| )- Tip: Drivers must scan the driving scene and analyze situations continaally while

driving.

l.-

( r- t4

i

Steering Techniques

Hand-Over-Hand Steering: Push-Pull Steering:
Hand-over-hand steering is pulling the This is pushing the steering wheel up with
steering wheel down with one hand while the one hand and pulling it down with the other
other hand crosses over to pull the wheel
furttrer down. This steering technique is used hand.
when the vehicle is moving very slowly or is
stopped, and the vehicle needs to be turned to 1. One hand gasps
a very sharp angle. For hand-over-hand
the steering wheel
steering: near the 4 o'clock
(right hand) or 8
Begin the turn from a balanced hand o'clock (left hand)
position. Hand position should be 9- position.
3 or l0-2.
Start pulling down to the left with 2. That hand then
your left hand. Your right hand
pushes the wheel toward the left pushes the wheel
about a quarter turn. up to near the 12
J. Release your left hand from the wheel o'clock position.
and cross it over your right hand to At the same time,
gasp the wheel nearthe top. the other hand
Continue pulling down.
4. You can complete the turn by slides up to the 1l
continuing to pull down with the left
hand as you release the right hand. or I o'clock

position and pulls
down.

3. As the pulling

hand comes down,
the pushing hand
refurns to the
original position
to continue the
process. With this
method, you never
cross your arms
while driving.

4. With driver side

air bags the push-
pull technique is
probably the
safest.

Tip: Hand-over-hand and the push-pull method are both acceptable methodsfor

steering when making turns.

Some steeringwheels will straighten ofter a turn dyou relax your grip. However,

be ready to unwind the wheel hand-over-hand, especially at lower speeds, with

front-wheel drive vehicles, and when backing.

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Proper Right and Left Turns

Procedures for Tuming:

! 1. Position your vehicle in the correct

lane for the turn. For a right tunr, be

in lane position 3 if there are no

qb\\/ 1eo'ns parked vehicles. For a left turn, be

I in the lane nearest the center line in

lane position 2. (On a one-way

street be in the far left lane.) Signal

tnr32.. about half a block before the turn.
Brake early to reduce speed.
Use your visual search pattem to

check the front zones for vehicles,

pedestrians, and bicyclists.

4. Slowto about l0 mph just before the

crosswalk.

5. For a right turn, check to the left

again before tunring. Then look in

the direction of the turn. Begin

turning the wheel when your

vehicle's front bumper is even with

t the curb line.

F For a left turn, check taffic to the

y left, then right, then left again. Tum
the steering wheel just before the
{
front of your vehicle reaches the
tqa.
center of the intersection. Continue
t.
looking left into the lane you will
t\
enter.
f
7. As you begtn your turn, make a
:r

trt

quick blind-spot checkthrough the

right side window. Check front and

rear zones. If the intersection is

clear, turn into the nearest lane of

traffic going in your direction.

Accelerate about half-way through

the turn as you refurn the wheel to

the straight-ahead position.

Tip: Good speed control can help judgment by giving you more time to see what you
need to do to get it done and it makes all turns easier..

16

Left Tum Right Tum

l. you !Be near the center line as l. Be in the right lane and about four feet

approach the corner. from the cub if there are no parked

2. Signal and begin braking at least tr vehicles.

half a block before the 2. Signal and begin braking at least half a

intersection. block before the intersection but be sure

3. Check mirrors and scan for not to mislead other drivers that might
bepedestrians and other traflic -
tr be waiting to exit a parking lot.

stue to make head check. 3. Check mirrors and scan for pedestrians

4. Slow to l0 mph just before the tr and other traffrc.

crosswalk. 4. Slow to l0 mphjust before the

5. Make a final traffic check to the tr crosswalk.

right. 5. Make a final traffic check to the left
the6. Begin turning just before !
Turncenter of the intersection. (head check).
tr
6. Release pressure on brake pedal.
into the nearest lane going in 7. Begin tuming when front wheels are

your direction. tr even with the bend of the curb. Turn

7. Halfiray around the turn, into ttre nearest lane going in your

theaccelerate gently and allow direction.

steering wheel to unwind to 8. Halfiuay around the turn, accelerate

sEaight-ahead position. tr gently and allow the steering wheel to

8. When completing turn, stay unwind to straight-atread position.

close to center line and scan for 9. When completing tum, stay close to the

pedestrians and traffic. curb and scan for pedestrians and

traffic.

Fundamentals, Judgments and Procedures of Turning

1. Control Speed of the vehicle on approach and throughout yor.lr tum, judge the turn
radius and space available. Be sure your speed is slow enough, never too fast. Slow the

vehicle accordingly.
2. Position the vehicle for the turn you are making. Toward the right of lane for tuming

right and near the center line for tuming left. Keep the vehicle in position as you
approach and start your tum. I)on't fade or loop turn.

3. Judge when and how much to furn the wheel to make a correct turn and when to start

recovery from turn and continue in your lane in a straight path.

Left Turn Right Tunt

Not this (fade or loop). Not this. Not this (fade or loop). Not this.
(Starts turn too lale) (Sraru turo too soon.)
(Staru ftlm too late) (Starts turn too soon.)

Correct Position --tr 17 I

I Corect Position Correct Right Turn

Correct Left Turn

Lane Positions

Teens must leam the three lane positions that are available within their lane. In most

instances, lane position I would be the best choice. The following shows the three lane

'positions.

! 1. Lane position 1: The vehicle is

centered within the travel lane. This

should be your selected and safest

position rmder nomral driving

conditions. In this position you have

the most space around your vehicle.

Lane position 2: The vehicle is three

to six inches away fromthe left line
ffi of your lane. You might decide to
tffii{ use this position when there is a
trT#i J. closed right-front zone with an open

t\ 'I left-front zone. Jtrst a slight

adjusfiuent to the left is necessary.

3. Lane position 3: The vehicle is three

to six inches away from the right line
ofyour lane. Use this position when
there is a closed left-front zone with
an open right-front zone.

ri

Notes and comments for Lesson 3

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