Intersections and yellow box markings
Discussion
I passed my practical driving test two and a half months ago. Driving home tonight I reach the junction shown. The far and near traffic lights are both red and I’m waiting at the near set. I’m turning right up ahead so need to tuck into lane three when it appears after the near lights. Lane three is full of cars.
My lights turn green, but I wait because there’s no space for me and I don’t want to block traffic from the opposite carriageway moving in front of me. The far lights change which frees up one space at the end of lane three, so next cycle I move into it. Looking in my rear view mirror I see three cars follow me, even though there’s no more space in lane three. Who was right in this situation? And why wouldn’t the junction be protected with yellow box markings?
My lights turn green, but I wait because there’s no space for me and I don’t want to block traffic from the opposite carriageway moving in front of me. The far lights change which frees up one space at the end of lane three, so next cycle I move into it. Looking in my rear view mirror I see three cars follow me, even though there’s no more space in lane three. Who was right in this situation? And why wouldn’t the junction be protected with yellow box markings?
You were following best practice by waiting behind the stop line if there wasn’t space to clear the junction when the lights went green.
The drivers behind you weren’t committing a specific offence that I can immediately think of, in the absence of a yellow box. However, there is probably a paragraph in the Highway Code advising against what they did.
I don’t know what policy is followed in deciding where to put yellow boxes, but I try to imagine an implied yellow box in the middle of most junctions - just as you did.
The drivers behind you weren’t committing a specific offence that I can immediately think of, in the absence of a yellow box. However, there is probably a paragraph in the Highway Code advising against what they did.
I don’t know what policy is followed in deciding where to put yellow boxes, but I try to imagine an implied yellow box in the middle of most junctions - just as you did.
Sounds like you did the right thing. Very few junctions are protected from obstruction by yellow box markings and there's far too much paint on the road already and it all costs a lot of money. I would think the police could charge with obstruction or inconsiderate driving although I doubt they'd bother.
joelpython said:
I passed my practical driving test two and a half months ago. Driving home tonight I reach the junction shown. The far and near traffic lights are both red and I’m waiting at the near set. I’m turning right up ahead so need to tuck into lane three when it appears after the near lights. Lane three is full of cars.
My lights turn green, but I wait because there’s no space for me and I don’t want to block traffic from the opposite carriageway moving in front of me. The far lights change which frees up one space at the end of lane three, so next cycle I move into it. Looking in my rear view mirror I see three cars follow me, even though there’s no more space in lane three. Who was right in this situation? And why wouldn’t the junction be protected with yellow box markings?
Sounds like you did the right thing. Yellow boxes were introduced to make it easier to deal with obstructions. In extreme circumstances before they were introduced they were/could be dealt with under inconsiderate driving; but that is really a sledgehammer to crack a walnut and is far more subjective. My lights turn green, but I wait because there’s no space for me and I don’t want to block traffic from the opposite carriageway moving in front of me. The far lights change which frees up one space at the end of lane three, so next cycle I move into it. Looking in my rear view mirror I see three cars follow me, even though there’s no more space in lane three. Who was right in this situation? And why wouldn’t the junction be protected with yellow box markings?
+1 to you doing the right thing too. I usually put myself in the shoes of the drivers trying to cross over and that are then blocked so keep those areas clear.
It could be that the local authority that maintains those roads (or highways agency) just don't deem it busy enough to warrant yellow boxes, which come with very clear rules. It costs money to paint and maintain them and especially enforcement (I don't know how much money those cameras make).
Wait until you come across the idiots that will go around you while you're stationary just to them pull into the area blocking others!
It could be that the local authority that maintains those roads (or highways agency) just don't deem it busy enough to warrant yellow boxes, which come with very clear rules. It costs money to paint and maintain them and especially enforcement (I don't know how much money those cameras make).
Wait until you come across the idiots that will go around you while you're stationary just to them pull into the area blocking others!
I agree you did the right thing. One of my pet hates is trying to get through a junction where someone headed in a completely different direction is blocking it.
My wife is American and I've driven over there quite a lot and I have to say their attitude to junctions is different. They sit at green lights until their exit of the junction is clear and they're a lot more patient and laid back in their driving for the most part compared to us Brits. My wife thinks we're all "rude" drivers in this country and that is the reason why we need box junctions.
My wife is American and I've driven over there quite a lot and I have to say their attitude to junctions is different. They sit at green lights until their exit of the junction is clear and they're a lot more patient and laid back in their driving for the most part compared to us Brits. My wife thinks we're all "rude" drivers in this country and that is the reason why we need box junctions.
carguy143 said:
I agree you did the right thing. One of my pet hates is trying to get through a junction where someone headed in a completely different direction is blocking it.
My wife is American and I've driven over there quite a lot and I have to say their attitude to junctions is different. They sit at green lights until their exit of the junction is clear and they're a lot more patient and laid back in their driving for the most part compared to us Brits. My wife thinks we're all "rude" drivers in this country and that is the reason why we need box junctions.
..compared to the English!My wife is American and I've driven over there quite a lot and I have to say their attitude to junctions is different. They sit at green lights until their exit of the junction is clear and they're a lot more patient and laid back in their driving for the most part compared to us Brits. My wife thinks we're all "rude" drivers in this country and that is the reason why we need box junctions.
FTFY.
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