1. Transition Pegs for Making Turns
North Dakota Driver Risk Prevention Curriculum Guide
Developed by
North Dakota Driver and Traffic Safety Education Association
Funded by
The North Dakota Department of Transportation
Transition Pegs for Making Turns

2. Transition Pegs Defined
A place on the car that identifies the vehicle’s placement in relationship to the target area while a turn is being made.
Used to determine the precise moment at which to make a change (transition) in steering, acceleration or braking actions that will keep the car in balance.

3. Transition Pegs for Vehicle Balance
Left Turns
The Left Corner Post intersects with the target
Right Turns
Inside Rear View Mirror intersects with the target

4. Turn your head to the target before turning the steering wheel.
The tree is the target.
Turn your head to the target before turning the steering wheel.
Use this slide to test student’s understanding of targets, transition pegs.
Copyright NIDB 1996

5. The target is in line with the left corner post.
Use this slide to test student’s understanding of targets, transition pegs.
The car is at the transition peg for making a left turn, the point to begin steering recovery actions

6. Is the car on or off target? Is the turn complete?
Use this slide to test student’s understanding of the on and off target concepts associated with completing a turn.
Yes, off target. The turn is not complete.

7. The vehicle is now
on target; the turn is
complete.

8. Keep the Vehicle Balanced When Turning
Where No Stop is Required
Apply controlled brake pressure reducing speed prior to turning
Turn your head and look to the target before you turn the wheel
Hold slight brake pressure as you turn the wheel
When transition peg lines up with target
Release all brake pressure and
Begin to straighten wheels to get back on target
Accelerate to a reasonable speed

9. The car is at the transition peg for making a right turn.
The tree is the target.
The car is at the transition peg for making a right turn.
Use this slide to test student’s understanding of targets, transition pegs.

10. Is the turn completed?
How can you tell?
Yes, the wheel is aligned with the target; the car is on target.

11. Keep the Vehicle Balanced When Turning
Where a Stop is Required
Turn your head and look to the target before you turn the wheel
Use light accelerator pressure, only enough to move the car smoothly
When Transition Peg lines up with Target
Begin to straighten wheels
Then accelerate to a reasonable speed

12. The car is slightly off target without a steering input; it is in a rear-wheel skid.
Use this slide to test student’s understanding of targets, transition pegs and knowing how to react to a skid situation.

13. A. B. C.
Q 1. Which photo shows the earliest stage of a turn being made? How can you tell?
Q 2. Which photo shows the car on-target? How can you tell?
Q 3. Which photo shows the transition peg for making a right turn? How can you tell?
Use this slide to test student’s understanding of targets, transition pegs and knowing how to react to a skid situation.
Q 4. Which photo shows the transition peg for making a left turn? How can you tell?
Q 5. Which photo shows the beginning of a skid? Which way would you turn the steering wheel to correct the skid? D. E.

14. Physical Equivalent Practice
Proper use of vision is key to keeping any vehicle in balance.

15. Student Targeting and Transition Peg Practice
Target Identification Review
Turning Head to Targeting Path 1st
Transition Pegs for Timing Steering Recovery
Conduct PEP Rally in class to practice turning for targets (turn head before turning wheel) and transition peg usage.