left turn safety

Speeding and Left Turns: A Dangerous Combination

October 30, 2023 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

Left turns can be deceptively dangerous maneuvers, even if they may seem routine to frequent drivers. According to the NHTSA, about 22.2% of all accidents that occur at intersections involve a left-turning driver. If the driver who intends to turn left is speeding, left turn accidents become even more likely.

While speeding is dangerous for many reasons, it is important to discuss how driving too quickly requires your reaction time to be much quicker. At busy intersections, there are many potential hazards that drivers must react to in order to make a safe left turn.

Speeding also makes it more difficult to control your vehicle. This is especially dangerous during left turns because left-turning drivers must be careful not to encroach on other lanes.

Additionally, speeding makes it difficult for other drivers in the intersection to predict your actions. Even if a left-turning driver signals properly, other drivers may not have enough time to register the signal if the left-turning driver is speeding.

It is also important to note that high speeds increase the severity of left turn accidents. This is especially concerning because left turn collisions at busy intersections often involve vulnerable pedestrians. Moreover, a speeding vehicle intending to turn left may collide with oncoming traffic that is also moving at high speeds, leading to a catastrophic T-bone or head on collision.

Let’s go over some specific scenarios that illustrate the risks that we mentioned above:

At busy intersections, visibility is often limited. For left-turning vehicles who need to see oncoming traffic, this can be particularly dangerous. A speeding driver making a left turn may approach the intersection too quickly to see if there is a safe gap in oncoming traffic.
A speeding driver may approach the intersection without leaving themselves enough room to stop if the light changes to red. Without enough stopping distance, the driver may encroach on the intersection and cause a T-bone collision with a driver moving in the adjacent direction.
A driver that is executing their left turn too quickly may overestimate the capabilities of their vehicle. Turning too quickly, especially in adverse conditions, could cause the left-turning driver to skid into traffic. In severe cases, the left-turning driver may even roll their vehicle, resulting in catastrophic injuries or death.
A speeding driver may not have time to react to pedestrians in the crosswalk. When making a left turn, even if there is a protected green arrow, drivers still must check the crosswalks and yield to pedestrians. If the turn is unprotected, pedestrians will often have a walk sign when the left turning driver has a green light. Therefore, drivers must always be ready to yield to pedestrians. Failing to do so could cause a fatal collision with a pedestrian in the crosswalk.
A left-turning driver who is speeding when they approach the intersection may need to brake suddenly to wait for oncoming traffic. This could confuse the driver behind you who may have assumed that you intended to proceed straight through the intersection without slowing down. This could result in a rear-end collision which is made even more dangerous due to the proximity to the intersection.

Speeding can make any maneuver more dangerous, especially left turns. It is always better to approach your left turn with caution and employ defensive driving techniques.

Luckily, there are a number of things you can do to make your left turns safer in addition to slowing down:

Always remember to use your turn signal prior to making your left turn. This will alert the drivers behind you of your intention to turn, as well as signal to the surrounding traffic. It is best to signal early to allow other drivers to register your intentions.
Check your blind spots, especially at intersections where there are multiple left turn lanes. When in doubt, be sure to stay in your lane to avoid encroaching on the lanes of other left-turning vehicles.
Assess the traffic conditions prior to executing your turn. It may not be the best time to make your turn, and you may need to wait for a wider gap in oncoming traffic.
If you are not sure whether it is safe to complete your left turn, it may be best to proceed straight and find a safer intersection. If it is safe and legal to proceed straight the intersection you are uncomfortable with, try and find an intersection with a protected green arrow and clear visibility.

Pay attention to the type of oncoming traffic. Larger vehicles may need more time to stop, so do not assume that oncoming traffic will yield for you if the light turns yellow.
Be aware of the weather conditions. The law requires drivers to drive in a manner that is safe depending on the conditions of the roads. This means that you may be required to drive slower than the speed limit if the roads are wet or icy.

Left turns can be stressful and complex even if you are driving safely. There are many variables to consider, such as oncoming traffic, pedestrians, signal changes, and the type of intersection. Adding speeding and other types of reckless driving (like phone use and other distractions) into the mix can be extremely dangerous and even catastrophic.

By avoiding speeding and following these additional safety tips, you can help make our roads safer for yourself and others.

Left Turns and Common Distractions: Talking to Passengers While Driving

October 27, 2023 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

When we think about distracted driving, certain types of distractions come to mind. Phone usage, eating while driving, and adjusting the radio are often mentioned as particularly dangerous habits. But did you know that conversing with a passenger can also be a dangerous distraction? One study from the University of Michigan has even compared the level of distraction that occurs when talking to a passenger to that of texting on a cell phone.

This is because talking to passengers while driving can divert your attention away from the driving task at hand and cause you to miss important visual cues like the presence of a pedestrian. Even if your eyes remain on the road, your attention might waiver to the conversation between you and the passenger.

Remaining attentive when driving is always important, but distractions are especially risky when making left turns. Left turn are notoriously dangerous maneuvers even if they may seem routine to the average driver. This is because drivers must be aware of multiple hazards, including oncoming traffic and pedestrians.

Let’s dive in to some of the specific ways that a conversation with a passenger can cause a collision during a left turn:

Taking your attention away from the road: Like we mentioned above, you can still be distracted even if your eyes remain on the road. This is because you may be thinking about how to respond in your conversation with the passenger without realizing that a hazard is in your path. During a left turn, conversing with a passenger could even lead to forgetting to wait for a safe gap in oncoming traffic.
Leading you to miss important visual cues: We already mentioned how conversing with a passenger could lead to missing an important visual cue like a pedestrian in the crosswalk. But there are many other visual cues that you must remain aware of, such as the changing phases of a traffic light or an unusual traffic sign.
Causing you to make mistakes in judgment: Left turns require good judgement on the part of the left-turning driver. For example, a left-turning driver must be able to accurately judge the speed and distance of an oncoming vehicle. Talking to a passenger could lead you to misjudge oncoming traffic, resulting in a catastrophic collision.

If a left-turning driver is distracted, there are multiple points during the course of the turn where a collision is likely to occur. Let’s dive in to some of these possible collisions:

Oncoming traffic: As we talked about above, conversing with a passenger could lead to a collision with oncoming traffic. Commonly, left-turn collisions with oncoming traffic result in T-bone or head-on collisions. These are two of the most dangerous types of accidents, with high casualty and fatality rates.
Pedestrians: When making a left turn, drivers are often required to proceed through the pedestrian crosswalk. At an intersection without a protected green arrow, pedestrians will usually have a walk sign at the same time that a left-turning driver has a green light. Pedestrians always have the right of way in this case, and it is vital for drivers to be extra attentive so as not to collide with a pedestrian. A vehicle colliding with a pedestrian is the most fatal common collision, and drivers should be aware of any pedestrian activity.
Rear-end collisions: Distracted driving may lead a left-turning driver to forget to signal prior to executing their turn. This is particularly dangerous for intersections that do not have a designated left turn lane. This is because the driver behind the left-turning driver may assume that the driver in front intend to proceed straight through the intersection. This could lead to a read-end collision.

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), distracted driving is a factor in approximately 15% of all fatal crashes. Talking to passengers is one of the most common forms of distracted driving, especially among younger drivers.

However, we are aware that occasional communication with a passenger while driving is not entirely avoidable. For that reason, we would like to cover some tips to keep in mind to remain attentive while driving:

Keep Conversations Short and to the Point: If you must have a longer conversation with a passenger, it is best to pull over to the side of the road until you can give your full attention to operating your vehicle.
Avoid Potentially Emotional Topics: Emotional conversations can be more distracting, so it is best to save more emotional conversations for another time.
Set Expectations with Passengers before Driving: It may be best to inform your passengers that you may not be able to respond to them right away while driving.
Refrain from Conversing during Left Turns: Left turns, which are some one of the more complex maneuvers, require your full attention. It is best to save your conversation for after you have completed your left turn.

Talking to passengers while driving can be a distraction, just like phone use or eating while driving. It is important to remember that, even though your eyes may remain on the road, your brain may be preoccupied with the conversation at hand. This can lead to dangerous collisions and cause serious harm to yourself or others.

For that reason, it is important to give driving your full attention, especially during left turns. You should be able to focus fully on pedestrian activity, oncoming traffic, and other traffic activity in the intersection where you intend to turn. Remember, safety first!

Why Do We Misjudge the Speed and Distance of Oncoming Traffic? Science and Strategies

October 23, 2023 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

In our series of posts about left turns, we have discussed the various factors that contribute to left turn-related accidents. One common accident that can occur during the course of a left turn is a collision with oncoming traffic. Often times, a collision with oncoming traffic may occur due to a misjudgment of the speed and/or distance of the approaching vehicle. In this post, we will discuss this interesting phenomenon. We will dive into the science of why we may misperceive the speed and distance of traffic, and some helpful things to remember to avoid this mistake.

The Science Behind the Misperception of Speed and Distance

Peripheral Vision: The Human Field of View

When scanning an intersection for hazards, we often rely on our entire field of view to make informed decisions. However, our peripheral vision is often less accurate than our central field of view. Often times, objects in our periphery appear to be moving more slowly than they actually are. Our periphery is mostly intended to detect changes in light and movement, but is less reliable for accurately judging speed and distance.

The Impact of Angle of Approach

When a left-turning driver pulls into the intersection prior to making the left turn, oncoming traffic is positioned in front of the driver. Trying to judge the speed and distance of an approaching vehicle is more difficult from a head-on angle because the perceived size of the approaching vehicle Will not change as much. Conversely, when positioned perpendicular to a lane of traffic, the passing vehicles may appear to be moving than they actually are.

Depth Perception Dilemmas

Our ability to perceive depth relies on both monocular cues (such as perceived size of an object) and binocular cues (the difference in images seen by each eye). Changes or disruptions in these cues can affect a driver’s ability to perceive depth accurately.

These issues of misperception can be exaggerated when drivers are in a rush and make a left turn too hastily. Here are some of the factors that can add to the danger of making a left turn:

Impaired Judgment in a Rush

When a driver is in a hurry, they may have impaired judgement. For example, it is important to properly asses your surroundings before making any road maneuver. Making these maneuvers too quickly may cause drivers to miss potential hazards. In the case on oncoming traffic, a left-turning driver might not give themselves enough time to judge the speed and distance of oncoming traffic before deciding to turn.

Reduced Margin for Error

Drivers should always give themselves enough time to brake or otherwise act in case of an unforeseen hazard. Drivers who commit to making their left turn too quickly may find that there is a pedestrian in the crosswalk and may not have enough time to stop. They may also fail to see an oncoming vehicle risking a severe accident.

Increased Anxiety and Its Effects

Drivers who are rushing may be impaired by the effects of anxiety. Anxiety can lead to tunnel vision and poor judgement, a particularly dangerous combination when in comes to left turns.

Avoiding Misjudgments in Left Turns

Drivers may be happy to know that there are things they can do to avoid misjudging the speed and distance of oncoming vehicles. Here are some of those tips and tricks:

Take Your Time: The Importance of Patience

Taking a few extra seconds to evaluate the traffic environment and road conditions can make all the difference when it comes to left turn safety. It is important to give yourself enough time to recognize all of the potential hazards in an intersection and to get a more accurate read of oncoming traffic.

Use Central Vision to Enhance Accuracy

It is important no to rely too much on your less reliable peripheral vision. When given the opportunity, drivers should try and shift their focus from peripheral to central vision. This is especially important when it comes to the perception of movement in oncoming traffic.

Practice Defensive Driving

Defensive driving is a vitally important safety tip for all aspects of driving. When making a left turn, there are various possible scenarios that may compel the left-turning driver to stop or otherwise avoid a collision. Always be ready to brake if necessary, and assume that there may be hazards in your desired direction.

Consider Intersection Design

Some intersections have better visibility than others. For example, an intersection may be positioned on a hill, making it impossible to see a long distance down the lane of oncoming traffic. It is important to be able to see enough of the oncoming traffic lane to be able to estimate the speed and distance of oncoming traffic. Drivers should only make left turns at intersections that are safe and have good visibility.

Turn When Safe: Prioritize Safety Over Impatience

Drivers, especially at intersections without green arrow protection, may feel pressured to make their left turn by the driver behind them. Never proceed with your left turn unless it is absolutely safe to do so. Remember, patience is key and you should not try and split a small gap in oncoming traffic.

Left turns can be deceptively complex maneuvers with multiple variables that could lead to a collision. One of those dangerous factors is the need to judge the speed and distance of oncoming traffic. It is important to know about the way our brains perceive fat-moving objects, and how we can easily misjudge the speed and distance of an oncoming vehicle. With that in mind, leave yourself plenty of space to complete your left turn in a safe and cautious manner.

Left Turn Protocols for Emergency Vehicles

October 16, 2023 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

Although left turns can seem routine, they are also relatively risky maneuvers with many variables to consider. We’ve discussed how different types of vehicles must consider different factors when making left turns. In this post, we will discuss how left turns are similarly challenging for emergency vehicles as well as the additional factors that emergency responders must consider when responding to a crisis.

The Challenges of Left Turns

For emergency vehicles, left turns present unique situations and protocols. Additionally, emergency vehicles must consider all of the usual risks associated with left turns under the pressure of an emergency response. When responding to medical crises, fires, or law enforcement situations, every second counts. Especially at busy intersections, left turns often require crossing the path of oncoming traffic and considering pedestrians in the crosswalk. Some of the challenges associate with left turns include the following:

Heavy Traffic: In areas with heavy congestion, making left turns can be particularly challenging. For example, it can be difficult to find a safe gap in oncoming traffic in intersections without designated green arrows.

Blind Spots: When navigating traffic of any kinds, it is important to have an awareness of what may be in your blind spot. Like other vehicles, emergency vehicles also have blind spots that they need to be aware of when completing turns.

Bicyclist and Pedestrian Safety: Left turning vehicles at intersections often have to cross a pedestrian crosswalk. When making a left turn without a protected arrow, pedestrians typically have a walk sign and therefore the right of way. All vehicles should be aware of pedestrians and bicyclists in the crosswalk.

Protocols for Executing Safe Left Turns for Emergency Vehicles:

Using Sirens and Lights: When making left turns in an emergency scenario, it is important for emergency vehicles to use their lights and sirens. These tools signal to other drivers that they should yield the right of way, potentially allowing emergency vehicles to complete their left turns more quickly while maintaining safety. When an emergency vehicle approaches with lights and siren activated, all other vehicles are required to pull over to the right. All other vehicles must slow down or come to a complete stop if necessary for the emergency vehicle to pass.

Observe Traffic Rules: Emergency vehicles are allowed to proceed through red lights and stop signs. However, they must also follow the other rules of the road when executing a lefty turn. They need to make sure it is safe to complete the turn, even if sirens and lights are activating. Sirens do not exempt emergency vehicles from exercising caution.

Safeguarding Pedestrians: Emergency vehicle operators are required to use their horns and sirens to indicate their intent. This acts as a warning to both other vehicles on the road and pedestrians. However, emergency vehicles still need to exercise extra caution when making a left turn in case there may be pedestrians in the crosswalk. It is important to emergency responders not to proceed to hastily and to assume that there may be a pedestrian in their path.

Communication and Coordination: Effective communication between emergency vehicle operators and their dispatchers is vital. Dispatchers play a crucial role in providing real-time information on traffic conditions, road closures, and alternative routes to avoid left turns in heavy traffic whenever possible. This collaborative approach ensures that emergency vehicles can reach their destinations safely and promptly.

Training and Education: Operating emergency vehicles requires extensive training and education about how to drive safely in high-stress situations. This training includes education about how to proceed with left turns. Drivers should be sure to remember their training in order to execute the safest possible left turn efficiently.

Advanced Safety Equipment: Modern emergency vehicles have additional safety equipment to help drivers proceed safely through intersections. One such piece of equipment is the intersection preemption system, allowing drivers to change traffic lights to allow them to proceed through the intersection or with making a left turn.

The Role of Intersection Preemption Systems

There are several advantages to intersection preemption systems when it comes to left turns or otherwise navigating intersections:

Green Light Priority: The main purpose of intersection preemption systems is to change traffic lights so that the emergency vehicles have a green light allowing them to proceed in their desired direction. This can help drivers proceed with left turns with minimal delays.

Traffic Signal Override: The other side of the “green light priority system’ is the signal override that occurs in the other direction. For example, when the emergency vehicle changes the light to green so that they may complete their left turn, all other signals at the intersection turn red to avoid conflicting traffic patterns.

Enhanced Safety: By reducing traffic in confliction directions, emergency vehicle drivers are able to create a safer path to complete their left turn. For example, the green light signaling to oncoming traffic may turn red to allow driver to proceed with their turn while reducing the risk of a collision with oncoming traffic.

Efficiency: These systems not only create a safer path for emergency vehicles, but also increase efficiency. For example, if an ambulance driver does not have to wait for oncoming traffic, they may be able to complete their left turn significantly more quickly. However, emergency vehicles should still proceed with caution when making left turns.

For drivers of emergency vehicles, navigating left turns safely is a critical skill. These drivers must consider the ever-changing variables associated with left turns at busy intersections while navigating relatively quickly. Emergency vehicle drivers also have additional tools they can use to complete left turns more safely and efficiently such as sirens, lights, and intersection preemption systems.

Erven with these tools, emergency responders should also remember the need to be extra cautious when executing left turns. If you are driving and you hear the sirens of an emergency vehicle, you must pull over to the right and slow down/come to a complete stop. Never ignore the lights or sirens of an emergency vehicle. Together, we can keep the roads safe for everyone by following these simple rules of the road.

Exploring What Autonomous Vehicles Mean for Left Turns

October 6, 2023 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

Autonomous vehicles, commonly referred to as self-driving cars, seem to be poised to change the automotive industry in the years to come. In previous posts, we discussed how new technology, including self-driving cars, have the potential to change the way we approach safety when it comes to left turns. In this post, we will take a deeper dive into self-driving cars in the context of left turns and the potential applications for safety. We will discuss how autonomous vehicles might approach complex maneuvers like left turns using various sensors and detection methods.

The Advantage of Autonomous Vehicles:

When it comes to the intricate task of navigating left turns, autonomous vehicles still need to make improvements. However, some manufacturers have made significant gains in tackling these maneuvers as some self-driving cars can make left turns fairly competently. As this technology continues to improve, autonomous vehicles may eventually be far safer than human drivers when it comes to left turns. Self-driving cars rely on some core technologies to make left turns:

Precise Sensor Technology: Self-driving cars employ various sensor technologies, including radar, LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), cameras, and GPS, to form a virtual map of the surrounding traffic and hazards. A combination of sensors is not only able to detect the location of vehicles, but also the speed and direction of traffic.
Predictive Algorithms: Predictive algorithms are designed to allow autonomous vehicles to make accurate real-time predictions about traffic patterns and traffic infrastructure. Advancements in AI will play a large role in helping self-driving cars to make accurate predictions based on road schematics.

Enhanced Safety:

A focal point of the movement to develop self-driving cars is the idea that autonomous vehicles have significant advantages when it comes to safety. Here are some of the ways self-driving cars may be able to approach left turns more safely:

Eliminating Human Error: Many left turn accidents are caused by the misjudgment of oncoming traffic, making a turn too hastily or impulsively, or failing to consider pedestrians in the left crosswalk. These types of human errors are potentially solvable through self-driving technology, as sensors may be able to form a more accurate map of the surrounding traffic to make better decisions.
Optimized Turn Timing: The speed and distance of oncoming traffic can easily be misjudged by human drivers which can lead to catastrophic accidents. Timing a safe gap in oncoming traffic may eventually be easier for autonomous vehicles. Additionally, drivers attempting to execute a left turn often face pressure from the vehicles behind them to make the turn quickly. Self-driving cars will not make a hasty turn in response to pressure.

Communication and Coordination:

When it comes to left turns, awareness of the surrounding traffic is key. One huge advantage of self-driving cars is the ability to communicate with other autonomous vehicles and increase that awareness. Additionally, self-driving cars will also be able to communicate with traffic infrastructure to aid in signal timing to create seamless left turns:

Vehicle-to-Vehicle (V2V): Self-driving cars will be able to communicate their intentions with other vehicles on the road, but that’s not the only potential application. They will also be able to relay information about road conditions to make left turns as safe as possible.
Vehicle-to-Infrastructure (V2I) Integration: Left turns can be quite stressful when the intersection is highly congested. Self-driving cars will be able to communicate with traffic signals in order to time signal for minimal congestion, creating conditions for a much less risky left turn.

Prioritizing Pedestrian and Cyclist Safety:

Drivers making left turns must remain aware of pedestrians in the left crosswalk that may be in their turn path. Self-driving cars are designed to detect these pedestrians to prevent a catastrophic collision:

Enhanced Detection: Visibility is often limited in congested intersections, and self-driving cars are designed to solve that problem. Advanced sensors will be able to detect pedestrians even in low light or foggy conditions. Although many self-driving vehicles have faced issues with their sensor technology in foggy conditions, improvements are being made to make these sensors more accurate.
Predictive Braking and Acceleration: Not only will sensors be able to detect pedestrian activity, but algorithms will be able to predict their movements to allow for the safest turn. Autonomous vehicles can react quickly, and will have a better chance of braking in time to prevent a collision.

The Future of Left Turns with Autonomous Vehicles:

Looking ahead, autonomous vehicle technology is moving in a positive direction for safety. When it comes to left turns, there may come a time when autonomous vehicles can perform these maneuvers more safely than any human driver. As more self-driving cars hit the streets, the communication between vehicles will allow for less congestion and more predictable traffic flows.

However, it is important to remember that this technology is still in its early stages and should not be relied upon for the time being. More improvements need to be made before our dream of perfectly safe left turns can be finally achieved.

Can Virtual Reality Help Make Left Turns Safer?

October 2, 2023 by Levinson and Stefani Leave a Comment

Technological innovation has revolutionized both the vehicles we drive and the traffic infrastructure we rely upon. In previous posts, we discussed the implications of artificial intelligence for the way we approach left turns. In this post, we will be discussing how virtual reality may help to reduce the risk of left turn accidents. This emerging technology has the potential to transform the way we practice, understand, and teach left turn safety.

So, what is virtual reality? Virtual reality can provide realistic and immersive experiences by allowing users so see a computer-generated environment through a screen on a headset. In the context of left turn safety, VR can provide drivers with capabilities we have never had before. Here’s how:

Realistic Simulations

Using VR, novice or experienced drivers can play out realistic simulations without dangerous consequences. By replicating various road conditions and variables, virtual reality test driver’s capabilities in many scenarios. Using VR, drivers will have a safe and controlled virtual environment to practice and refine their left turn skills.

Risk-Free Learning

Many driver safety courses do a fantastic job of helping people improve their driving. However, it can be difficult to replicate real-word scenarios without endangering inexperienced drivers. Virtual reality can simulate oncoming traffic, pedestrian hazards, and erratic drivers without risking the safety of anyone on the road. This makes VR perfect for left turns which often require drivers to navigate many dangerous variables.

Hazard Identification

Virtual reality can help condition drivers to recognize potentially dangerous hazards before a collision occurs. A VR headset could point out hazards that you may have otherwise overlooked. For example, a driver making a left turn in the real world may have a near-miss with a pedestrian without even noticing it. In VR, the computer can alert you to your mistake so that you can learn where you should be extra careful to scan for hazards.

Personalized Training

Not all drivers learn at the same rate. Virtual reality has a distinct advantage in that the level of difficulty can be gradually increased when it comes to practicing left turns. For drivers who struggle with specific aspect of making left turns, VR can help draw their focus to those specific aspects to correct those weaknesses with risk-free practice.

So, what does the road ahead look like when it comes to VR? There are many promising aspects of virtual reality technology, but VR devices are still in their early stages. In some instances, virtual reality has already been applied in certain contexts to make our road safer, but it is safe to assume that there will be many more applications in the future. Here are some of the ways VR is already being implemented to improve road safety:

Driver Education

Some driver’s education programs have already incorporated VR training. These virtual reality simulations don’t just focus on left turns, but many different types of dangerous maneuvers and unexpected scenarios to prepare students to venture out onto the physical road.

Fleet Safety

Companies with large vehicle fleets are already using VR to help train their commercial drivers in left turn scenarios. Commercial drivers in some instances also use virtual reality to practice some of the other more difficult aspects of driving a large vehicle. Companies see VR as a risk-free way to train their employees for real-world scenarios.

Research and Development

Not only does VR help train drivers, but virtual reality can also be an effective way to collect data on our traffic infrastructure. VR is already being used to test different layouts and environments to help with city planning and street design. This has big implications for left turns, which are notoriously dangerous maneuvers that could benefit from better safety infrastructure.

Government Initiatives

Apart from independent driver education companies, some governments are already exploring how VR could help improve driver education. Government funded research could be an important part of the implementation of VR because large data samples can be used to determine where VR could best improve driver safety.

Virtual reality has the potential to change the way we approach left turn safety. Eliminating real-world risk through advanced simulations could help new or experienced drivers practice with confidence. Hazard identification and personalized training program may eventually be used as helpful VR supplements to real-world practice. VR may also change the way we research traffic infrastructure and the ways to train our commercial drivers. Using VR, we may be able to reduce the number of collisions that occur during one of the most dangerous maneuvers in driving: left turns.