Turning right - what is reasonable?

[LintRoller]

Sorry for dull traffic thread but I'm a bit desperate.

Car A is waiting to turn right from a side road onto a main road (busy 4-lane type job, have to wait ages for a safe gap across multiple lanes of traffic)

Car B arrives on main road, wanting to turn right into the side road.

When there's a gap, who goes first?

AIBU to think that Car B should hang back and wait for Car A do their right turn first, as they were there first? Or does a car turning right from a main road have priority?

(I am sometimes A and sometimes B in this scenario, thanks to the nightmare junction at the end of my road - just want to know if there is a generally accepted approach)

Hmm good point SorchaN - I should probably just go on ahead when I'm Car B unless Car A looks really ready to go.

Alpaca I'll take the boondocks any day of the week The one glimmer of hope is that when the roadworks eventually finish, circa 3040 AD, there will apparently be a traffic controlled right turn lane and all will be right in the world.

Twowrongs I do that sometimes as well, but the nearest right turn happens to be a pub car park and once I get in there it's 50:50 if I turn around and leave again.

Lint, the car on the main road (Car B)has right of way but IF driver B waves to let driver A go first from a side road and car A caused an accident crossing, it would automatically be driver A at fault. I would ring the council and make a complaint about the missing lights, very risky driving across that many lanes to get out without the aid of traffic lights or a roundabout

Car A goes first because car b can stop traffic on their side

Car B has priority as they are on the major road.

Waiting the longest doesn't give you priority in this sort of traffic situation.

Car B is under no obligation to stop traffic and let Car A out.

When you are all letting people out, please don't forget other road users, such as motor- & push-bikes.

In New Zealand it's the other way round the car on the main road has to give way to the car turning right out of the side road, really confusing when on holiday!!!

LovesYoungDream very good idea re council, will get onto that.

ftmsoon yes good reminder about other road users, there are a fair number of cyclists around.

Thanks to everyone for the replies

Motor and push bikes should not under nor overtake at a junction

If you need to ask this question, then you need to go to WH Smiths, buy a copy of the Highway Code, read it and learn it. You shouldn't be on the road if you need to ask this question.

Car B. Car on the most major road ALWAYS has priority. One of my driving pet hates is when a driver who has priority just sits there and after what feels like an age they wave you through with a really patronising look. It's like they WANT to cause an accident. You have right of way so use it!!!!

Whilst it may seem like you're being kind to someone joining from a minor road, if you hold up the traffic on the major road or cause another road user to have to drive defensively to avoid an accident as a result of your actions, then it's really not that kind!

The vehicle on the major road has priority, always.

Here in the US it would be car B as well, except we'd be turning left, not right.

slater there are multiple lanes of traffic. Of course it's fine to pass on the left if there's a car waiting to turn right, otherwise 2 lanes of traffic would have to come to a standstill!

Car B has right of way and stop 'hanging back to be nice'. No one else realises you are doing this and you could cause a big accident if they can't read your intention.

Sorry, didn't realise this was still going. To clarify, I am now clear that Car B has priority, and will take this priority when I am Car B. Thanks again for everyone's replies.

It's only at crossroads where every road has a give way that who got there first makes any odds.