When turning right, you should always watch out for bicyclists , along with other vulnerable road users like pedestrians and scooters.

Quick Scoop: Right-Turn Safety

Right turns seem simple, but they’re one of the easiest places to hurt someone you didn’t see. Think of every right turn as a little “hazard scan” moment.

The One Thing You Must Always Watch For

  • Bicyclists coming up on your right side , in a bike lane or close to the curb.
  • Cyclists going straight while you are turning right, especially at intersections and driveways.

That’s why test-style questions like “What should you always watch out for when turning right?” often have “bicyclists” as the correct answer.

Other Hidden Dangers During a Right Turn

Even though bicyclists are the classic “must-watch,” safe drivers mentally check for a few more things.

  • Pedestrians stepping off the curb or already in the crosswalk.
  • E‑scooters or skaters riding near the curb.
  • Vehicles parked close to the corner blocking your view.
  • Cars in the lane you’re turning into, including those making wide turns.
  • Oncoming traffic if you’re turning across a lane at a larger junction.

A simple mental script before you turn right: “Mirror, signal, slow, check bike lane, check crosswalk, then turn.”

Mini Story: The “Invisible” Cyclist

Imagine you’re first at a red light in the right lane.
You’re planning a right turn. You check left for cars, the light goes green, and you start to turn.
But you never checked the bike lane—and a cyclist going straight hits your front passenger side. That exact pattern is one of the most common right-turn crashes in cities, which is why instructors hammer on always checking for cyclists on your right before you turn.

Quick Checklist Before Every Right Turn

  1. Check mirrors (especially right mirror) and blind spot for bikes.
  1. Signal early so others know you’re turning.
  1. Slow to a safe turning speed, not a rush.
  1. Look for:
    • Bicyclists and e‑scooters on your right, going straight.
 * Pedestrians in or near the crosswalk.
 * Any vehicle already in or entering the lane you’re turning into.
  1. Turn only when the path is fully clear—if in doubt, wait.

“Right turns don’t fail because they’re hard. They fail because drivers assume they’re safe and stop looking.”

TL;DR: The key answer to “what should you always watch out for when turning right?” is bicyclists , especially those going straight while you turn.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.