Tight Right Turn with Tail Swing and a Cyclist
You are driving a 40-foot, 102-inch-wide bus with a 12-foot rear overhang on a downtown street. You need to make a right turn from a 12-foot lane into a 10-foot receiving lane. A delivery truck is parked in the right lane just beyond the corner, a cyclist is in the bike lane on your right, and a pedestrian is waiting on the corner. The light is green, and the driver behind you honks. You are 20 feet from the stop line. A sedan is moving in the lane to your left, so a wide left swing would put you into its path. The corner curb has a fire hydrant and a trash can. It is 4:45 p.m. and traffic is heavy. What do you do?
1. How should you set up and execute the right turn?
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Do not turn from the left lane just because the right lane is partly blocked. Approach in the right lane at 5 mph or less, stop if needed, and let the cyclist clear. Because a sedan is in the left lane, a wide left swing is not available; wait until the left lane is clear if you need it, or take the turn only if the rear wheels can clear the curb and hydrant. Use the right convex mirror to watch the rear wheels and curb, and the left mirror for tail swing. The rear overhang will swing left, so do not start the turn with a vehicle close on your left. Ignore the honking driver; a tight turn is not a reason to rush.
2. What hazards do you scan for, and what do you do if the pedestrian steps into the crosswalk?
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Scan the right mirror for the cyclist and rear wheels, the left mirror for tail swing and the sedan, and the crosswalk for the pedestrian. Check the parked truck for someone stepping out. If the pedestrian steps off the curb, stop before the crosswalk and wait; do not wave them across or roll forward to claim the space. If the cyclist is alongside, let them go straight before you turn. If the turn cannot be completed without mounting the curb or entering the left lane, stop and reassess; a blocked lane may require waiting for the truck to move or taking another route.