Taking control of a junction when turning ar dheis.

jwof2006

Hi,
Doing the scrúdú in a few weeks. Just wondering what the story is with taking control of a junction.
I know you should do it, when there is a specific box to move into, but what about when there is a traffic light that lets you know when you can go right, do you still have to wait?
If you have taken control of the junction but your light is still red, should you just go when the coast is clear?
Just looking for some clarity.

GRMA:)

Motor-Ed

jwof2006 wrote: »

Hi,
Doing the scrúdú in a few weeks. Just wondering what the story is with taking control of a junction.
I know you should do it, when there is a specific box to move into, but what about when there is a traffic light that lets you know when you can go right, do you still have to wait?
If you have taken control of the junction but your light is still red, should you just go when the coast is clear?
Just looking for some clarity.

GRMA:)

As you arrive at white line this is when the colour of traffic light is important. If it's green and you are 1st car then you move into junction, turning if its clear or waiting for a gap. If light changes and oncoming traffic stops then you should still have time to turn before next road begins, but this is 1st car, 2nd car should have waited at white line.
If there is a right turn arrow then you have priority to turn, always as ever proceed when safe to do so!

I can't tell you why

As above, but it is also worth a mention that if a green arrow for going straight accompanied by a full red shows, do not move forward.

greyc

Motor-Ed wrote: »

As you arrive at white line this is when the colour of traffic light is important. If it's green and you are 1st car then you move into junction, turning if its clear or waiting for a gap. If light changes and oncoming traffic stops then you should still have time to turn before next road begins, but this is 1st car, 2nd car should have waited at white line.
If there is a right turn arrow then you have priority to turn, always as ever proceed when safe to do so!

My instructor told me that if there's room for 2 cars to move forward that's perfectly ok, sometimes at a big junction the turning box is quite far past the stop line, but he told me never to stop on a pedestrian crossing. One of my friends got marked on her test for progress at traffic lights because she waited behind the stop line eventhough there was a car in front of her turning. The tester told her afterwards that she should've moved with the other car.

Motor-Ed

greyc wrote: »

My instructor told me that if there's room for 2 cars to move forward that's perfectly ok, sometimes at a big junction the turning box is quite far past the stop line, but he told me never to stop on a pedestrian crossing. One of my friends got marked on her test for progress at traffic lights because she waited behind the stop line eventhough there was a car in front of her turning. The tester told her afterwards that she should've moved with the other car.

As I wasn't there, and dont know the junction or circumstances it's difficult to advise. Possibly the road was visibly clear ahead and both could have proceeded. In this type of forum you have to give answers which cover the vast majority of situations, local knowledge applies and that's why lessons with area familiar Instructors is wise.

miss no stars

greyc wrote: »

My instructor told me that if there's room for 2 cars to move forward that's perfectly ok, sometimes at a big junction the turning box is quite far past the stop line, but he told me never to stop on a pedestrian crossing. One of my friends got marked on her test for progress at traffic lights because she waited behind the stop line eventhough there was a car in front of her turning. The tester told her afterwards that she should've moved with the other car.

I was told the same. Don't hang around if you don't need to. Pull up close behind and don't delay clearing the junction if it gets to light change time. Don't block a pedestrian crossing, either.


I'm confused by the OP, though.

If you have taken control of the junction but your light is still red, should you just go when the coast is clear?

If you have a red light (even a red filter light) you shouldn't have moved into the junction and should still be behind the white line...?!

Or do you mean that you had a green light and it goes red while you're in the junction waiting to turn? In that case just make sure the oncoming traffic is actually stopping and make your turn to get out of the junction.