Left Hand Turns

 After hearing the report on a recent motorcycle accident that claimed one life and seriously injured several others, I wrote a post "Deadly Roads" and mentioned defensive driving, which is "driving to prevent accidents despite the action or inaction of other drivers".  

If your wheels are pointed straight ahead and you're struck from behind, you'll travel straight ahead. 

I am not sure of the exact cause of the aforementioned accident other than a vehicle rear-ended a truck which was stopped on the road, waiting to turn left across the opposing lane.

It made me think of one of the basics of  Drivers' Education and the Drivers' Handbook, in regard to wheel position while waiting to turn, as suggested in the above diagram.

Certainly, turning your wheels is an easy mistake to make, particularly when the roads are so busy and you may only have seconds to make that turn. And many people do sit there, waiting for that chance to go,  with their wheels partially or fully turned in the direction they intend to travel.

Seems innocent enough until you get hit from behind and go shooting out into the opposing lane and oncoming traffic.

A vehicle waiting to turn which has its' wheels turned in that direction will travel that way if struck from behind.

I have no idea if this was the scenario and the cause of the accident the other day, after the vehicle rear-ended the other, but it does give a reason to consider the driving skill and tactic of keeping those wheels pointed straight ahead to avoid possible issues if struck from behind.

Regardless of who is in the right or wrong, it's always easiest and safest to avoid the risk or hazard and its' potentially deadly consequences by driving defensively, looking out for one another and ensuring everyone gets home safely.