‘Obvious’ mistake drivers make when turning right that creates traffic

In a TikTok video, the company, known as @roosterinsurance online, asked viewers what position a car should take when turning right at a junction.

They said: “Is the car turning right positioned correctly? This is a common fail on the driving test.

“When you want to turn right into a road, if you position your car too far to the left while you wait for oncoming traffic to clear, it will cause delays to the traffic in your lane.”

Instead, drivers should position their vehicle just left of the centre line – if the road is wide enough – allowing traffic to pass on the left while they wait to complete the turn.

Despite this being considered common knowledge, many drivers fail to position themselves correctly each day, leading to avoidable congestion.

Commenting on the video, one user wrote: “I see lots of drivers make this mistake.” Another added: “Position your car closer to the white line and it allows cars to get around you.”

A third said: “I honestly don’t think they teach anyone this anymore! No one actually positions their car correctly anymore.”

One more user commented: “I positioned closer to the white line once and someone came past on the inside and hit my wing mirror, so now I stay in the middle like the red car.”

Another admitted: “I failed my test with the same mistake turning right.”

According to the Highway Code, drivers must take extra care at junctions and watch out for pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.

The guidance states: “Well before you turn right you should use your mirrors to make sure you know the position and movement of traffic behind you, give a right-turn signal, take up a position just left of the middle of the road or in the space marked for traffic turning right, and leave room for other vehicles to pass on the left, if possible.

“Wait until there is a safe gap between you and any oncoming vehicle. Watch out for cyclists, motorcyclists, pedestrians and other road users.

“Check your mirrors and blind spot again to make sure you are not being overtaken, then make the turn. Do not cut the corner.

“Take great care when turning into a main road; you will need to watch for traffic in both directions and wait for a safe gap.”