A meeting of two or more roads is called a junction, the most common being 'T' or 'Y' shapes, and is normally when a Major road meets a Minor road.

The Major road is defined as the one on which the Give Way line runs along the side of it, parallel to the left hand (nearside) kerb.

The Minor road is the one with the Give Way or Stop lines at the end of it. Junctions can be open or closed, marked  or unmarked, controlled or uncontrolled.

Emerging from closed junctions.

Crossroads and roundabouts are also types of junctions. Junctions are types of hazards.

In driving terms a hazard is anything that can cause you to change speed or direction, or both. 

Other hazards include bends, hills, pedestrian crossings, parked cars, cyclists, horses and so on.

When negotiating any hazard, remember SSSS. No other road user should have to: 

Stop 

Slow down

Swerve

Swear 

Open junctions

An 'open' junction is when you have a clear view left and right well before you arrive at the Give Way line.

In this case you can determine if it is safe to emerge well before the end of the road, and will be able to emerge without having to actually stop. 

Closed junctions

A 'closed' junction is when you do not have a clear view into the major road as you approach the Give Way lines.

This may be because of high fences, trees, buildings, or parked vehicles near to the junction.

Treat a closed junction with extra caution and stop on the Give Way line taking effective observations before emerging.

Use the Creep and Peep method of slowly edging forward to improve your view if the junction is closed. 

Marked junctions

A marked junction is when there are Give Way or Stop lines where the roads meet, helping users to understand who has priority. 

Unmarked junctions

An unmarked junction is when there are no Give Way or Stop lines as the roads meet. You must approach theses situations very carefully, as no-one has priority. 

Controlled/Uncontrolled junctions

Sometimes there are traffic lights where the roads meet and these are known as controlled junctions. There are often filter lights here – and areas for pedestrians to cross.

Boxed junctions

There are sometimes yellow criss-cross lines at junctions. These areas should be kept clear.

Have a look in The Highway Code to see the rules for dealing with them.