turning remains a high-risk maneuver, particularly for larger vehicles like HGVs due to tail swing and “blind side” risks. For an in-cab assessment, use the following guidelines to score a driver from 1 to 5.
1. Traffic Check (360° Observation)
1 (Poor): Turns without checking mirrors; ignores the “blind side” (passenger side). Fails to look for cyclists or pedestrians at the curb.
3 (Acceptable): Performs standard mirror checks before and during the turn. Identifies major hazards in the immediate path.
5 (Excellent): Uses a deep “shoulder check” to clear the blind spot. Continuously monitors the trailer/rear wheel tracking in the mirrors throughout the entire arc of the turn.
2. Speed (Cornering Control)
1 (Poor): Enters the turn too fast, causing noticeable body roll or tire “scrubbing.” Or, takes the turn so slowly it creates a traffic hazard.
3 (Acceptable): Decelerates to a safe, controlled speed before beginning the turn. Maintains a steady pace throughout the maneuver.
5 (Excellent): Perfect speed management. Uses engine braking/downshifting to enter the turn at the “walking pace” required for the tightness of the corner, then accelerates smoothly once the vehicle is straight.
3. Space Management (Lane Positioning & Tail Swing)
1 (Poor): Clips the curb with rear wheels or crosses into oncoming lanes unnecessarily. Fails to account for tail swing, endangering nearby vehicles or street furniture.
3 (Acceptable): Positions the vehicle correctly in the lane. Maintains adequate clearance from the curb and stays within lane markings.
5 (Excellent): Demonstrates “advanced positioning.” For tight turns, uses the “setup” (swinging wide early) to ensure rear wheels clear the apex perfectly without the front of the vehicle encroaching on oncoming traffic.
4. Acceleration and Braking (Smoothness)
1 (Poor): Brakes mid-turn (indicating poor preparation) or accelerates aggressively before the turn is complete, risking a jackknife or skid.
3 (Acceptable): Completes all braking while the vehicle is traveling in a straight line. Balanced throttle use during the turn.
5 (Excellent): Flawless mechanical sympathy. Zero braking during the turn; the vehicle is perfectly balanced. Acceleration is timed exactly with the “unwinding” of the steering wheel.
5. Signal (Communication)
1 (Poor): Signals too late (less than 3 seconds before the turn) or not at all. Fails to cancel the signal, confusing other road users.
3 (Acceptable): Signals at an appropriate distance (approx. 100 feet/30 meters) to give others time to react.
5 (Excellent): Signals early to “claim” the necessary road space for a wide turn. Uses the signal to communicate intent to pedestrians and cyclists who may be in the vehicle’s shadow.
6. Yield and No Unnecessary Stopping
1 (Poor): “Bullying” into a turn, forcing others to stop. Or, stopping in the middle of a turn due to poor judgment of the vehicle’s size.
3 (Acceptable): Yields correctly to oncoming traffic and pedestrians. Proceeds when a safe and legal gap is present.
5 (Excellent): Expertly times the approach to avoid stopping entirely. Slows down early to allow a gap to form, keeping the vehicle’s momentum and reducing fuel waste and brake wear.