Light Change When Turning Right At Yellow Box Junction

TheIrishClassic

Hey guys,

I was just wondering what the official rule for this is just in case it would happen on a driving test?

I know it is ok to wait in the yellow box junction provided you are turning right your exit road is clear.

But if you are inside the yellow box when the lights change from green to red and there is no filter traffic light, isn't it ok to still proceed right? Otherwise wouldn't you be stuck in the junction holding up traffic?

seamus

TheIrishClassic wrote: »

Hey guys,

I was just wondering what the official rule for this is just in case it would happen on a driving test?

I know it is ok to wait in the yellow box junction provided you are turning right your exit road is clear.

But if you are inside the yellow box when the lights change from green to red and there is no filter traffic light, isn't it ok to still proceed right? Otherwise wouldn't you be stuck in the junction holding up traffic?

Once you have proceeded past the traffic light, you have initiated your turn and the lights technically no longer apply to you - you are simply waiting for a safe opportunity to complete the turn.

Once the lights go red, you have control of the junction and all traffic coming from your left and right must yield and allow you to complete the turn.

Note that on occasion your light will go red but the light will remain green for oncoming traffic. Obviously oncoming traffic has right-of-way until their light goes red.

Remember that only one vehicle is allowed in the yellow box at a time - so if another vehicle is in the yellow box waiting to turn right, you must wait behind the white line until that vehicle has completed its turn. If your light goes red before they clear the yellow box, you must wait.

Note that the little white box for turning right is effectively the same. Traffic turning right must wait in the white box until they are safe to go, and may turn if their light goes red before they get the opportunity to go. You can't enter the white box unless have a green light and the box is clear.

On occasion, despite the fact that you may have right of way, the conditions of the junction or the traffic may mean that it's safer to wait in the box until your light goes green again.

TheIrishClassic

Thanks very much seamus for clearing that up. Cheers

dsmythy

Didn't want to start the millionth yellow box thread on you. Say you move into the box to turn right because the road you're going into is clear. But as you wait cars from the opposite direction have turned left and clogged it up leaving you sitting in the box with nowhere to go. Meanwhile the light has gone red. Is there anything you're supposed to do here or do you just have to take the minute of horns and dirty looks?

Marcusm

The key here is being past the "stop line" not a red light; most junctions will have lights at different positions governing the same stop line. If you are past it you are free to (and indeed required to) proceed with your manoeuvre once there is a break in the traffic or else you are simply blocking the road. You need to have confidence with this and not allow other road users to bully you into becoming a road block. Once the oncoming traffic has stopped, you have right of way to complete your manoeuvre before they start moving.

caldew

Re part of statement from Seamus;

Remember that only one vehicle is allowed in the yellow box at a time

This is just not true.

MarkAnthony

I had an amusing exchange of signals with a taxi driver outside the CCJ one morning over this issue. It's amazing how many people aren't aware the exceptions to the 'don't block a yellow box rule'.

As for people turning left and blocking the junction they're in the wrong. They should proceed unless they can complete the turn.

The Young Wan

caldew wrote: »

Re part of statement from Seamus;

Remember that only one vehicle is allowed in the yellow box at a time

This is just not true.

Are you sure? I've been told by my instructor that only one car may be in the yellow box junction at a time. If I'm following a car, I can't follow them into the YBJ.

caldew

Check the rules of the road. Your instructor is wrong.

greyc

caldew wrote: »

Check the rules of the road. Your instructor is wrong.

This is correct, it depends on the junction, on some wide junctions more than 1 car can enter, but what you can't do is follow the car in front and end up blocking a pedestrian crossing. The junction must me wide enough to allow you to pass any crossing.