To think it’s unkind to hoot at someone stuck on a box junction?

If you did that in my town you’d receive a fine in the post. Our major yellow box junctions now all have cameras. Count yourself lucky you just got hooted at. However, it’s not crime of the century, just frustrating for other motorists who have been blocked.

The people who were held up by you would have had no idea what you are dealing with. They may have been dealing with similar and were stressed and frustrated at being held up. Next time just be more careful round box junctions.

This is what holds up all the traffic where we are; people sneaking through at the last second at red lights and box junctions, and blocking traffic from other queues being able to move when it’s their green light.

If you see it everyday, you don’t think of possible justifications, you just get annoyed.

Don’t do it again, and move on. Those other people have probably forgotten about it by now or if they were late for some important meeting or whatever then you blocking the box wasn’t the only issue that caused it.
I wouldn’t want other drivers to stop beeping etc at people who block traffic - if there was no social disapproval I think over time more people would make those mistakes or intentionally block boxes to save themselves time, so it’s just as well - no ‘compassion’ required. Anyway how would other drivers know that someone had problems vs daydreaming vs general idiocy vs selfishness? I say beep and move on.

You did something stupid and annoyed people.

They have no idea what you're going through.

I think people just don't really see the driver a lot of the time; they're just angry at the red car or whatever that's in their way. There's something dehumanising about driving. I'm often irritated by cars, as they probably are with me, whereas in really life I think I'm quite tolerant!

Don't let it bother you - you made a mistake. Today it was you, and one day soon it will probably be those pipping their horns! I hope things easier for you soon, OP.

A junction where I used to live had it regularly. The only way you could absolutely be sure it was clear was if only one car crossed the junction at a time... because the other side was a tunnel where tall vehicles took the centre line so traffic would stop unexpectedly (or a lorry would get stuck and clog up the whole town). It was a nightmare junction...

You made a mistake. Learn from it and move on.

I did the same a couple of weeks ago. I got completely stuck on a box junction (like you I was certain I could clear it). Other cars were racing towards me and repeatedly beeping their horns. I was actually really scared and once I got away I had to pull over to calm down a bit. I accept it was my mistake but everyone just made me feel terrified. I almost had a panic attack. And yes I do realise and understand how furious they must have felt.

For future reference, once you are over the stop line you are through the red light. So if you are in a box junction and the lights change, you complete your maneuver if safe to do so. You don't sit there waiting for the light to change to green again.

Slightly off topic but this coming in where I am worries me! There's a round about with lights, a big box junction and always a queue of traffic after/going into it. If I didn't go into the box on a green light it would turn red again before I could go and I'd be stuck there for hours!