New South Wales · A Guide to the Driving Test · chapter 7 · 2 min read

Decision Making

Decision making

A critical decision must be made whenever you enter traffic, change lanes, cross or turn at an intersection.

Affecting the crash avoidance space of others

The testing officer will be checking that you go only when there is a safe gap in the traffic and that you are not affecting the crash avoidance space of other drivers.

Choose a safe gap so other vehicles are not forced to change speed.

A safe gap ensures that other vehicles do not need to change their speed or position. When turning across traffic make sure your vehicle is clear of the intersection by at least three seconds before the approaching vehicles arrive. When joining a traffic stream select a gap that allows you to reach the traffic speed before the approaching vehicles are within three seconds of your car.