You are waiting in the intersection to complete a left turn. You should:
- Signal and keep your wheels turned to the left
- Signal and keep your wheels straight ✓
- Flash your headlights so the driver will let you through
- Drive around the rear of a car if it blocks you
Answer: B. Signal and keep your wheels straight
You should signal and keep your wheels straight while waiting in the intersection to complete a left turn.
Why this is the answer
The handbook says that when you enter an intersection to prepare for a left turn, you should keep your wheels straight. That way, if your vehicle is hit from behind, it will not be pushed into oncoming traffic. You still signal your turn and wait for approaching traffic to clear or stop, then complete the turn when it is safe. The key detail is the wheel position while you wait: straight, not turned toward the left.
Why the other answers are wrong
- A. Signal and keep your wheels turned to the left — Keeping the wheels turned left is the opposite of the handbook's advice; if you are hit from behind, the vehicle can be pushed into oncoming traffic.
- C. Flash your headlights so the driver will let you through — Flashing headlights to get another driver to let you through is not given in the handbook as a left-turn rule; the handbook says to wait for traffic to clear or stop.
- D. Drive around the rear of a car if it blocks you — Driving around the rear of a car that blocks you is not supported by the handbook; it says to wait and complete the turn only when you can do so safely.
Remember it
Think straight wheels while waiting: if you get bumped from behind, straight wheels help keep you out of oncoming traffic.