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

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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!

This. I honestly can't believe the number of people who don't know it. Learning this was part of learning to drive for me.

Officially the green car has priority! Good Lord. 🤦🏻‍♂️

Green because they can clear the junction quicker (cross both lanes and they are off the main road) therefore they can use a 'smaller' gap to make progress. Red has to wait for a larger gap as they have to cross both lanes and then speed up so that they don't force a car coming from the right hand side to jave to slow down for them.

However at many junctions around here I will indicate to red to go if there is a 'large' enough gap for them to go and me to follow in order to make their life easier.

Please show me that in the high way code. Remember we’re not at traffic lights or a yellow box, they are both at give way markings.

I agree that in "law" the green car has priority, but if the red car starts to turn into the road, then they could be deemed to be proceeding along the highway and the green car has to stop to allow it to proceed as it has right of way.

The plus side here and I suspect the reason for the layout of the junction, is the fact that cars delay and check what other cars are doing

The fact that it isn't a traffic light controlled junction or doesn't have a yellow box is completely irrelevant. The fact is that the red car is turning right across the path of the green car so the green car has priority.

Another poster has already posted a diagram further up the thread. And a qualified driving instructor has also said that the green car has priority!

Again show me that in the highway code, that is the only true law. I’m not taking it as official from a driving instructor or poster on mumsnet. If both the green and red set off at the same time and had a collision, it would be classed as a 50/50 fault.

Surely this rule covers it?
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Wait until there is a safe gap between you and any oncoming vehicle. Watch out for cyclists, motorcyclists, pedestrians and other road users. Check your mirrors and blind spot again to make sure you are not being overtaken, then make the turn. Do not cut the corner. Take great care when turning into a main road; you will need to watch for traffic in both directions and wait for a safe gap.

I agree with you @Berlioz23 that when you actually look at the Highway Code it covers far less than is commonly assumed. I don't really understand whether any of these things have developed out of anything other than just general custom and practice to make the driving experience smoother.

The change starts with us!

Them flashing their lights doesn't mean they think you have right of way. They are just letting you go first.