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Original poster

Driving: am I wrong or… everyone else? (with actual real world map)

111 replies

Offcom · 06/07/2024 13:10

Quite a frequent route for me… I’m the red car, wanting to turn right from Cranston Road onto Woolstone Road. The green car wants to go straight ahead from Houston Road to Cranston Road.

We’ve both stopped at the stop sign to check it’s clear for us to move on. No cars are coming in either direction on Woolstone Road but I wait for the green car to move off as I think I should give priority to them as they are going straight ahead.

But nine out of 10 times, the green car continues waiting behind the stop line and seems to think that I have priority in making my right turn. Sometimes they flash their headlights to tell me to go.

It seems mad to me that a right turn would have priority but it happens so often that I’m wondering what I’ve missed.

I have looked at the Highway Code but I can’t find any guidance… can anyone explain what’s meant to happen?

I always fully stop, completely behind the line in case you’re wondering.

Thank you!

Driving: am I wrong or… everyone else? (with actual real world map)
OP posts:
DannyLovesFanny · 06/07/2024 22:34

gettingolderbutcooler · 06/07/2024 22:19

The car coming out of Cranston has right of way as they will be coming from the right of the car coming out opposite- which therefore has to give way.

No, it doesn't. The red car is turning across the path of the green car, therefore the green car has priority as it is going straight ahead.

gettingolderbutcooler · 06/07/2024 22:19

The car coming out of Cranston has right of way as they will be coming from the right of the car coming out opposite- which therefore has to give way.

Mothership4two · 06/07/2024 22:17

DannyLovesFanny · 06/07/2024 13:35

The green car has priority because the red car would be crossing their path.

I wish drivers would stop flashing their headlights to let people through because it can cause confusion and that confusion can lead to a collision.

This. And, if you were flashed on and were in a collision, it makes no difference in insurance claims if you didn't have right of way (as happened to a work colleague).

Also, wish 'flashers' wouldn't get grumpy if the other car chooses not to go - I won't if I feel it's unsafe.

110APiccadilly · 06/07/2024 22:16

Offcom · 06/07/2024 13:32

I only realised today that the Highway Code avoids mentioning right of way!

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Apparently there's no such thing as right of way technically (in the UK at least). DH told me this after he'd done a driving course via his work. I think it's because technically no one ever just has the right to go. Sometimes you need to give way, sometimes you don't, but just because you don't need to give way doesn't mean you automatically have the right to go.

lemons222 · 06/07/2024 22:11

I'm learning to drive and thought that at a cross roads nobody has priority?

DannyLovesFanny · 06/07/2024 22:03

poppiepudding · 06/07/2024 17:13

this is correct

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No it isn't, it's wrong.

MurielThrockmorton · 06/07/2024 18:02

When I looked into the Highway Code around the issue in our town (as above), I couldn't find anything useful as to who has priority. I know it says on a lot of driving instructiors websites, and this is what I learned, that the traffic crossing fewer paths has right of way, so the car going straight on, but all the Highway Code appears to say is give way to traffic on the main road. I concluded it's just custom and practice, unless anyone can find anything any different, which is why people have different answers.

FrivolousKitchenRollUse · 06/07/2024 17:54

poppiepudding · 06/07/2024 17:13

this is correct

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No. Just no.

FrivolousKitchenRollUse · 06/07/2024 17:52

ClonedSquare · 06/07/2024 13:57

Green has priority as they aren't crossing anyone else's path. If you're crossing someone else's path, you have to wait for them. Going straight always has priority, and if there's two cars turning into the same side road at the same time the one turning left has priority over the one turning right.

The only time there's no clear priority is if two cars opposite each other are both wanting to do right turns at a crossroads. In that case, you have to negotiate between you.

Yep - my driving lessons were a long time ago but my instructor called it "the path of least resistance". That said, eye contact and caution should always be used where possible.

PontiacFirebird · 06/07/2024 17:48

Red does NOT have right of way because it hasn’t joined the cross traffic yet. It’s at the junction. Right turning traffic must wait for a gap.

poppiepudding · 06/07/2024 17:15

scalt · 06/07/2024 14:34

Driving instructor here. I can tell you unequivocally that Green has priority: both cars are on minor roads, and left or ahead have priority over right, as right has to cross more lines of traffic.

However, I would not rely at all on anyone knowing this: it’s one of those really obscure rules that not many people know.

Try someone’s knowledge with this. What colour are reversing lights? Lots of people say “red”.

frightening stuff from a driving instructor.

poppiepudding · 06/07/2024 17:13

Nottherealslimshady · 06/07/2024 14:24

Red has right of way. You become the traffic on Woolstone road that they have to give way to.

this is correct

Wordsmithery · 06/07/2024 17:05

I was taught (a long time ago) that green car has right of way because red car needs to cross traffic. The logic of that makes sense to me.

Original poster
Offcom · 06/07/2024 16:42

littleapplecottage · 06/07/2024 16:36

Green car just wants red car out of the way in case Green car goes and red car doesn't realise and smashes into them.

I may be batshit but I judge people's cars and who's driving them (if I can see them) and have an internal league table as to whether I think they will be competent drivers, or if I'm thinking of letting them out if they will be dawdlers (pet hate of mine) so maybe you are being let out for this reason?

I did wonder that… except I’m not an Audi driver?

OP posts:
CollyBobble · 06/07/2024 16:39

I believe that the Green is sticking to the principle of giving way to the right and as you are turning right in front of them
They are giving way to you.

littleapplecottage · 06/07/2024 16:36

Green car just wants red car out of the way in case Green car goes and red car doesn't realise and smashes into them.

I may be batshit but I judge people's cars and who's driving them (if I can see them) and have an internal league table as to whether I think they will be competent drivers, or if I'm thinking of letting them out if they will be dawdlers (pet hate of mine) so maybe you are being let out for this reason?

MurielThrockmorton · 06/07/2024 15:52

We have a junction in our town where the convention is that right turners from a particular direction always have right of way over people going straight on and it really annoys me, as if you are a right turner you don't know whether the person wanting to go straight is from your town and so is waiting for you to go, or whether they are a visitor who has no idea that we have this special rule that was made up for who knows what reason! I feel I have to make an incorrect manoeuvre because that's what's mainly expected of me, but I feel wrong every time I do it.

When it's been discussed on the local Facebook page, people say it's because it's give way to the right (it is a crossroads but with more complicated priorities than above) without having any idea that this applies to roundabouts. I was always taught that straight on generally has priority but I sometimes wonder what other towns random rules I am breaking in a similar manner!

FarmGirl78 · 06/07/2024 15:26

Taciturn · 06/07/2024 13:11

Whomever arrived at the junction first has right of way.

Nah. Green car has priority as he doesn't have to pass in front of another drivers path.

Rockmumontherun · 06/07/2024 15:21

We have a junction like this a the bottom of our road, but with traffic lights. Green definitely has priority, but the amount of people that try to cut in front of you is mind boggling. However, after reading this thread it explains a lot. I thought it was obvious not to pull infront of someone else! The council has now changed the timing of the lights to give the green drivers 5 seconds head start to get them moving first.

DannyLovesFanny · 06/07/2024 15:19

Ozanj · 06/07/2024 15:00

There is no priority at a crossroads. The drivers have to decide who’s going first.

😂😂😂

Original poster
Offcom · 06/07/2024 15:17

bilko6 · 06/07/2024 14:55

I would say Green. But just here to say I know those roads well as I live in Crofton Park and that s the route I take to Sainsburys 😄

Me too! Sadly I find it absolutely impossible not to say Bryan Cranston Road to myself on the way there AND BACK. Every time

OP posts:
Ozanj · 06/07/2024 15:00

There is no priority at a crossroads. The drivers have to decide who’s going first.

bilko6 · 06/07/2024 14:55

I would say Green. But just here to say I know those roads well as I live in Crofton Park and that s the route I take to Sainsburys 😄

BurntBroccoli · 06/07/2024 14:48

If you imagine it as a mini roundabout (which it probably should be), then Green would have priority and would be less likely to have a bump.

TinklySnail · 06/07/2024 14:47

Google says green.

Driving: am I wrong or… everyone else? (with actual real world map)