Stop line, then a give way line - Traffic lights
Discussion
Hi guys,
I have a question regarding the layout of the attached picture. As there are part time traffic lights, there is a stop line (red circle) and then a give way line (white circle). My question is, when the lights are in use, do you only abide by the stop line, for example if you’ve passed the stop line just as it’s switched to amber, should you technically keep going or stop by the give way line? Thank you in advance for any info.
I have a question regarding the layout of the attached picture. As there are part time traffic lights, there is a stop line (red circle) and then a give way line (white circle). My question is, when the lights are in use, do you only abide by the stop line, for example if you’ve passed the stop line just as it’s switched to amber, should you technically keep going or stop by the give way line? Thank you in advance for any info.
Most likely the lights coordinate with ones on the main road; it's all going to depend on context and I wouldn't make assumptions without knowing the junction. Put it this way, there's a car coming round on the main and I wouldn't be pulling out in front of it unless it was very obviously coming to a stop
I should have also mentioned that the solid white line in front of the silver car is actually traffic light controlled too.
Furthermore it is a roundabout, not a main road.
Therefore if on amber on the road I have highlighted entering the roundabout, the oncoming traffic would still be at Red.
Furthermore it is a roundabout, not a main road.
Therefore if on amber on the road I have highlighted entering the roundabout, the oncoming traffic would still be at Red.
JenAGH67 said:
I should have also mentioned that the solid white line in front of the silver car is actually traffic light controlled too.
Furthermore it is a roundabout, not a main road.
Therefore if on amber on the road I have highlighted entering the roundabout, the oncoming traffic would still be at Red.
I don't think it matters. Before joining the roundabout, you will look right to make sure it is safe to do so. If it's not (cyclists/cars/emergency vehicles sometimes jump lights), you'll slow and give way as established traffic on the roundabout has priority. If it is you accelerate and join as normal.Furthermore it is a roundabout, not a main road.
Therefore if on amber on the road I have highlighted entering the roundabout, the oncoming traffic would still be at Red.
Is there more background to this question?
Chris
My question was more regarding - if just as the front axle of a car has approached the stop line/lights and the lights have switched from green to amber, should you (pertaining it is clear from oncoming traffic/no cars going through red light) carry onto the roundabout OR should you wait at the give way line (if also clear from oncoming traffic/no cars going through red light)?
Hopefully that makes sense
Hopefully that makes sense
JenAGH67 said:
My question was more regarding - if just as the front axle of a car has approached the stop line/lights and the lights have switched from green to amber, should you (pertaining it is clear from oncoming traffic/no cars going through red light) carry onto the roundabout OR should you wait at the give way line (if also clear from oncoming traffic/no cars going through red light)?
Hopefully that makes sense
I think you need to treat the two separately. If you have passed the traffic lights, normal roundabout rules apply at the give way line (planning to stop, hoping to go) and it's no different to if the lights are off, other than you have a bit of additional information that approaching cars are likely to be held at the traffic lights.Hopefully that makes sense
Chris
Edited by ScoobyChris on Thursday 16th February 11:35
JenAGH67 said:
My question was more regarding - if just as the front axle of a car has approached the stop line/lights and the lights have switched from green to amber, should you (pertaining it is clear from oncoming traffic/no cars going through red light) carry onto the roundabout OR should you wait at the give way line (if also clear from oncoming traffic/no cars going through red light)?
Hopefully that makes sense
Yes, carry on into the roundabout if clear and safe. Once they have been passed, the lights and solid stop line are irrelevant to the next phase, it becomes a ‘normal’ roundabout.Hopefully that makes sense
So: Stop before the solid line if a red light is showing. Proceed with caution if no light or a green light is showing, using the dotted line as marking the entry to the roundabout (always treat green lights as if someone is going to ‘run a red’ ).
(Treat a single amber light and your proximity to it as appropriate, and as discussed many times on here. ALWAYS know what is behind you and how close at all times, especially as you approach somewhere where you may be required to make a stop)
Thank you all for your informative answers. I get the rationale of treating it like a normal roundabout following your explanation of the stop/give way lines.
However if there is a set of traffic lights also opposite the give way lines (see blue star) would you still proceed through then (if on amber like the above scenario discussed)?
Note - yellow dots are traffic lights also
I think what I’m trying to get as is whether - if the lights changed to amber as you just approached the STOP line, should you realistically stop at the GIVE WAY line or carry onwards as in relation to the Highway Code ‘the only exception is if the driver is too close to the lights to stop safelly’. Does that only apply to the stop line or give way?
However if there is a set of traffic lights also opposite the give way lines (see blue star) would you still proceed through then (if on amber like the above scenario discussed)?
Note - yellow dots are traffic lights also
I think what I’m trying to get as is whether - if the lights changed to amber as you just approached the STOP line, should you realistically stop at the GIVE WAY line or carry onwards as in relation to the Highway Code ‘the only exception is if the driver is too close to the lights to stop safelly’. Does that only apply to the stop line or give way?
Edited by anonymous-user on Thursday 16th February 11:51
JenAGH67 said:
However if there is a set of traffic lights also opposite the give way lines (see blue star) would you still proceed through then (if on amber like the above scenario discussed)?
Yes - traffic lights apply to the stop line. If I am passed the stop line, I then treat the roundabout as usual.Chris
ScoobyChris said:
JenAGH67 said:
However if there is a set of traffic lights also opposite the give way lines (see blue star) would you still proceed through then (if on amber like the above scenario discussed)?
Yes - traffic lights apply to the stop line. If I am passed the stop line, I then treat the roundabout as usual.Chris
To repeat, once past the stop line, continual as a normal roundabout. That applies even if you have gone though on amber or even on red.
To add. You have asked a good question, many people panic or are confused by this arrangement. Once you have passed the traffic-light stop line, anything beyond is a new situation and should be treated as the new situation presents itself.
Edited by Pica-Pica on Thursday 16th February 12:42
As the traffic signals are part-time the give way line at the roundabout is required. If the traffic signals were permanent no give way line would be present. So, when the signals are in operation obey them and if necessary stop at the solid line. If they signals are not in use proceed past the stop line and treat the roundabout as normal.
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