The hook turn is a driving manoeuvre that is common in the inner city area of Melbourne, Australia. It requires that drivers turning right from most roads with a tram line must do so from the left hand lane (Australia drives on the left).

A maneuver equivalent to the hook turn is often done by cyclists to avoid entering the fast lane to turn; this may be required in some places.[1].

The procedure

Drivers wishing to turn right at an intersection do so in front of the stopped traffic in the other street, wishing to continue straight. Drivers wishing to turn left can still do so, and traffic which do not wish to turn can continue onward without obstruction or waiting for drivers who are waiting for the traffic travelling in the opposite direction to clear.

The drivers who have assembled in front of the stopped traffic complete the turn when the lights begin to change and there is no more traffic continuing straight ahead.

The traffic in the other street wishing to continue straight now can do so, and the traffic in the first street is stopped.

Reasons for use

Primarily, the hook turn allows both the clear passage of trams (which are common in Melbourne) and alleviates right-turning drivers from having to wait or check that there are no trams crossing the driver's path. In the central city, cars are generally not allowed to travel on tram lanes (although it is allowed in the suburbs), so dedicated right-turn lanes are not possible.

The manoeuvre also allows the passage of traffic wishing to continue straight ahead unobstructed. Assuming there is no tram line and the hook turn is not used, drivers who wish to travel straight ahead at an intersection must enter the left-turning lane and continue straight past the right-turning traffic (and may need to merge back into the right lane if the intersection leads to a road which has one lane partially reserved for parking).

Prevalence

Hook turns can only be performed at specific intersections which display signage to that effect. Presently, hook turn intersections are confined to Melbourne's central business district and its immediate surrounds; this may change in the near future as the government looks at ways to give trams priority at a greater number of intersections.

See also

• Jughandle
• Michigan left

External links

• Driving in the city (Melbourne) - with illustration of "Right turn from left" street sign signifying a hook turn at the next intersection
• Animation of the hook turn manoeuvre
• The Clarendon St Campaign - Site opposing hook turns in the context of a tram project