How do you plan a route when driving? If you are like most people, you probably do so based on how long it will take you to get there, opting for the route you believe will be quickest.
While this seems sensible, research shows there is more to it than that. One company that looked at this in detail was the delivery company UPS.
Why UPS trucks rarely turn left
UPS adjusted its routing software several years ago to avoid its drivers having to make left turns. They did so after National Highway Transport Safety Administration figures showed that intersection accidents were much more likely when turning left than right.
UPS found that while rerouting to avoid lefts often increased the distance a driver must travel it reduced both fuel usage and polluting emissions. Even more importantly, it reduced the chance of an expensive and time-consuming collision. So it was a win all around.
How can a longer route be quicker and more efficient?
Think about the left turns you have made recently. The chances are you spent a considerable amount of time sitting waiting to make some of them. You needed to wait for a clear gap in the oncoming traffic or a benevolent driver to wave you across before you could turn left. UPS found that not only did these delays take time, but they also increased fuel consumption and pollution as the engine sat idling.
Intersections can be dangerous places, and a crash will not only delay your journey and be inconvenient but could leave you with severe injuries that need significant compensation. If making more right turns reduces your vulnerability to the negligence of other motorists, then it is something you may want to consider.