Staggered
Junction/
Crossroad
Again, no different in complexity with T-Junctions or standard crossroads, but they come with their own individual dangers.
The biggest danger with staggered crossroads is that although the observational check given at normal crossroads is the same it can just make that observational check slightly trickier to see.
Dependant on how close together the staggered junction is to the one you are emerging from, it would be safer to treat each junction as sperate junctions.
In other words, rather than trying to carry out the manoeuvre in one foul sweep, it may be easier to treat it as an emerging from one junction followed by an approach to the next junction.
It will without a doubt come down to the layout of the roads.
If there is the need to treat them as individual junctions and you have to wait to turn right, ALWAYS ensure that before you proceed into the next junction that you are aware the no one is trying to overtake you before you move off so check your blind spot.
On rural roads there may be no road markings therefore no priority, and there may be a National Speed Limit in place so be extra cautious before proceeding.
Be sure to fully appreciate the approach speed of other road users and that the vehicles you CAN SEE are not being overtaken by vehicles YOU CANNOT SEE!
Staggered junction can be very close to each other to the extent the are nearly a crossroad, and others may have a fair distance between them.
The biggest factor to consider whether they are close together or far apart, is knowing when is it safe to proceed.
If they are close together you will need to ensure you deal with them at slow speed to allow enough time to get your steering from one direction to the other.
Faster moving roads will require a lot more calculation before proceeding to ensure you know you have enough time to not affect any other vehicles by proceeding.
The closer they are to each other the slower your speed will need to be to allow enough time to change direction with your steering.
This is mainly down to judging approach speed of vehicles coming from your right.
If you get it wrong it could lead to a vehicle ploughing into the rear of you.
Therefore, ALWAYS ensure before emerging from the junction that you have assessed that approach speed and only move off when safe to do so.
Vehicle travelling from your left may prevent you from turning right, and unless there is a filter lane for you to move into to give following vehicle space to pass you, you will put yourself at risk if you move off at the wrong time.
As soon as you emerging from the minor road, ensure you get your right signal on as soon as possible to allow any vehicles following you to know that you are about to turn right.
This should give them time to plan to slow down.