Many motorists avoid hook-turns altogether

An RACV poll has found that 44 per cent of Victorians feel hook turns are the most challenging driving practice on Vic roads.

This was followed by parallel parking, reverse parking and three-point turns.

And maybe the P-turn.

Some people said they avoid driving in the city because of them.

Found mainly in Melbourne, hook-turns have been shown to improve road safety and increase intersection capacity.

Hook turns are right turns made from a left-hand lane, originally introduced to mitigate the hold up and delay of tram routes.

They allow trams and other motorists to travel through an intersection smoothly, while motorists wanting to turn right wait in the far left-hand lane until the light turns green in the direction they are turning into.

Hook turn-versus a standard intersection

 

Although it’s rare to find one outside of Melbourne these days, hook turns used to be standard across Australia. 

Up until the 1930s, it was normal to turn right from the left-hand lane in cities including Sydney and Adelaide.

The hook turn was slowly phased out in these cities from 1939 onwards, with the unique turn being scrapped in favour of turning from the right lane. 

Victoria, of course, didn’t remove hook turns entirely when it began to phase them out in the 1950s.  

The rule to turn right from the left lane remained in place (and remains in place to this day) at intersections where tram lines cross, such as at the Elizabeth Street and La Trobe Street intersection.

The reason for this is simple; it means right-turning traffic does not hold up trams.

Research from the Public Transport Research Group at Monash University in 2011 estimates this can save trams 11.25 to 15.64 seconds at each hook turn intersection.  

The same report highlights that hook turn intersection can also improve safety and increase intersection capacity, as 38 per cent of drivers will tend to avoid hook turns where possible. 

If you’re a cyclist, you’re likely already familiar with hook turns, even if you don’t think of them as such.

For safety reasons, it’s common for cyclists to turn right from left at many intersections across Melbourne and Australia. 

Under the Australian Road Rules, it’s legal for those on bicycles to make a hook turn at any intersection unless otherwise specified. 

In other countries like Denmark, it’s mandatory for cyclists to make hook turns at intersections. 

With no less than 49 hook turns scattered across the city, Melbourne is arguably the hook turn capital of the world, but it’s certainly not the only city to have them. 

Hook turns are also used for bicycles, motorcycles or cars in countries like New Zealand, Japan and Taiwan. 

Melbourne is also home to ‘P-turns’ at the intersection of Hoddle and Johnston streets, as well as at the Swan Street and Punt Road intersection.  

A P-turn is where a vehicle goes straight through the intersection they wish to turn right at, makes a U-turn where signposted, then turns left onto the road they originally wished to turn right into.

RACV’s Head of Policy James Williams said that while hook turns may seem daunting, once motorists understand the process, they are a great way to manage traffic flow and reduce congestion.

“If you are not comfortable with the process of a hook turn, completing the driving practice may seem confusing or overwhelming, particularly if done in peak traffic,” he said.

“However, they do allow vehicles and trams to continue through an intersection on a green light without being held up by a stationary vehicle waiting to turn right from the middle of the intersection.

“Hook turns are also safer than a right turn from the centre of an intersection as they reduce the need to switch lanes to navigate parked cars and vehicles turning right from the centre of an intersection.”

How to do a hook turn

Hook turns might seem intimidating if you’ve never done one, but they’re easier than you might think:

1. Make sure you’re in the left-hand lane as you approach the intersection you want to turn right at. 
2. If there’s line marking, then follow the lines, otherwise move forward, keeping as far to the left of the intersection as possible and clear of any marked foot crossing, until you’re at the far-side of the intersection.
3. Remain waiting at the far side of the intersection until the lights on the road you are entering (turning right into) change to green. 
4. Once the lights turn green, turn right. 
5. Check out this RACV video, which provides an aerial view of the technique.

 

 

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