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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To have waited for the green arrow at the traffic lights before turning right?

41 replies

superstarheartbreaker · 17/07/2013 18:19

I have only been driving for a short time so I would like to be corrected if need be.
I was at a crossroads today and I wanted to turn right. I was at the front of the queue.I normally wait for the green arrow rather than the green light and it sometimes can be a bit slow.
Anyway I waited but no green arrow and there was oncoming traffic coming towards me at the green light. It was taking some time then the man behind me got out of his car and asked if I was ok as I had missed two green lights.
I couldn't be bothered to argue and just turned right at the next green light but I still thought the normal procedure was to wait for the green arrow unless there is no oncoming traffic at a green light when turning right...no?
Trouble is I have been honked once or twice whilst waiting for this green arrow so I guess it's one of those traffic rules that noone abides be?

OP posts:
superstarheartbreaker · 17/07/2013 19:23

Ok so now I know; green arrow definately go (it is a filter).
Green light; wait for a gap and go.
Just as I suspected.

Trouble is there was no safe gap to turn right so not sure what he was banging on about. Must be the heat!

OP posts:
superstarheartbreaker · 17/07/2013 19:24

Must make it clear that it is a very small crossroads with no real safe waiting place in the middle . On a larger crossroads I would wait nearer the centre.

OP posts:
LindyHemming · 17/07/2013 19:26

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

SpottyTeacakes · 17/07/2013 19:28

Is your indicator light working? Wink

trinity0097 · 17/07/2013 19:29

I failed my 'mock' driving test by doing exactly what the OP did. If it is safe to go and the light is green then a round green means go in any direction, unless there is a special signal for the lane turning with a red light on it.

wanderings · 17/07/2013 19:57

You'd still wait in the middle to turn right, even at a small crossroads (if you are the first one there.) A waiting place is not always marked. You only have to wait back behind the line if there is a green arrow for ahead or left, and a red light for turning right. If you are the second or third car there, you should only wait in the middle if there is space for your car. Some small crossroads only have enough room for one car to wait in the middle; but that one car really must move to the middle when they have a green!

It might be that you have to wait in the middle for a solid stream of oncoming traffic, with no gap until the lights change again, perhaps 20 or 30 cars. This is normal.

If the lights then turn to amber while you are in the middle (you may or may not see the lights then), you may still turn. When your lights go amber, so do the ones facing the oncoming traffic, so they will have to stop. So you should go as soon as you see the oncoming traffic slowing down to stop.

(Not wanting to scare you, but very very occasionally it can happen that a car gets stuck in the middle; they are still there after the lights have changed, and the other road now has a green light. This can happen if:

  • Some of the traffic coming towards you disobeys their red light.
  • Pedestrians cross the road you intend to turn into; you of course have to give way to them, as you are turning.
  • You are too slow to move off from the middle after the lights have changed to amber, and the oncoming traffic has stopped.
It is very rare to get stuck like that; if it happens, keep the car ready to move, and go as soon as you can. Be careful if you have to cross more than one lane of traffic.)
wanderings · 17/07/2013 19:58

The person who spoke to you was referring to that moment when the lights go amber, and by then you would be in the middle; that's the moment you're supposed to turn, before the other road gets green.

Iqbal786 · 21/04/2019 10:49

I am driving since 1965 and have done 2 million km in ge many and 50000 mikes in U.K. Fir tge furstntime in my life, I think I made a mistake.yesterday I turned right on traffic lights whike it was green though I ought to have waited from green arrow. I I did that as tge car coming from the opposite side was far enough. All three traffic lights had camera. Will I be punished with 3 points plus £60.

BottleOfJameson · 21/04/2019 10:51

I am a bit confused too but where I live there is a junction with a green light and a green arrow (not always at the same time). The green light will usually come first this means you can move forward in the junction and wait for a gap in traffic and turn. If there is no gap you wait for the green arrow at which point you can always turn.

Iqbal786 · 21/04/2019 10:52

Furthe more,nhownlong the 3 points remain valid. How much insurance premium or. What % premiumnwill be increased?

BottleOfJameson · 21/04/2019 10:52

@Iqbal786

No if there was a green light you can turn as long as there's a gap. A green arrow means there will be no other traffic blocking you because they have all been stopped by a red light).

Iqbal786 · 21/04/2019 10:57

Thank you. Normally I had waited on this T jubctionbto turn right and wai fir green. Arrow. It was green and opposite dude car was far away. I ought to havecwauted fir green arrow I do understand, but I just turned right without greenvarriw. Will tge traffic inspector ignore or will I be lunisged?

Iqbal786 · 21/04/2019 11:01

I meant will I b punished or inspectors will have some me Cynon my this act.

Iqbal786 · 21/04/2019 11:02

Some mercy on my this acrp

lisasimpsonssaxophone · 21/04/2019 11:06

It’s been nearly 20 years since I passed my test and I haven’t driven since so I may be rusty... but doesn’t green arrow mean ‘only go if you’re turning right’ and a solid green mean ‘go in any direction’ (as long as it’s safe to do so)?

Saying that a green arrow means ‘definitely turn’ and a green means ‘only go if it’s clear’ makes no sense because if it’s not clear, you can’t go no matter what shape the light is.

lisasimpsonssaxophone · 21/04/2019 11:11

Ah fuck, zombie thread Blush

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