Argument with Policeman at Crossroads

[MitchT]

Both systems are both right and wrong, for their own reasons.

Red could result in your view of oncoming traffic being obstructed. For example, in the photo, if I were turning right and using the red method, my view of oncoming traffic (i.e., traffic passing to the left of the MPV to go straight on) would be obscured by the MPV and it could collide with me if I proceeded to make my turn before the MPV had made its turn and left me with a clear view.

However, as others have said, if you use the safer yellow option and there's cars behind you, and cars behind the 'opposition', then you've got instant gridlock.

[Troubleatmill]

Robb F said:

Troubleatmill said:

Yellow is safest.

99%+ will say red. But they are wrong.


Edit: here you go. scroll down. http://findleys.co.uk/highway_code/road_junctions....

Edited by Troubleatmill on Thursday 9th May 22:23

OK - Exactly what do you disagree with what I said.

I said - Yellow is safest. 99%+ will say red - but they are wrong.
My link said.. "157: .....turn right side to right side; keep the other vehicle on your right and turn behind it.
This is generally the safest method

===============

( What I said - hint hint )




left side to left side, turning in front of each other. This can block your view of oncoming vehicles, so take extra care.


So... what's your point?

[Robb F]

I typed half a response then couldn't be bothered

[Stuartggray]

I like to do yellow as it completely mindfks the 'drivers' I come across up here in Dunfermline. The concept of red lights is hazy with these people.

[Makem]

Police man is right. You can tell him that when he turns up to your accident scene when you tried what he suggested and the other car didn't get it and just drove straight into you.

[Bushi]

You are wrong, if the Police give you signals when driving, then follow them if its safe to do so.

Cant see any reason to start arguing with the Police or discussing differing views of the high way code on a junction, what exactly did you hope to achieve?

[AJB]

If it's more freely flowing traffic, then another advantage of going past and then turning (the yellow way) is that it doesn't matter where the other car goes. Even if they go straight on at the last minute, you won't hit them. Following the red approach, you're having to assume exactly where they're going to turn. Get it wrong and you could hit them head on.

[bp1000]

Bizarre

In all my years driving I've never once seen a car at one of these junctions drive past me to turn across my path from behind me.

I can see it is much safer as I wouldn't obstruct their view and vise versa but in practice nobody does this when there is enough width for a 2 lane right turn in both directions.

I think I will stick to crossing over front ways to avoid confusion or people thinking I'm an idiot.

The only time this has happened was with clear markings with filter boxes.

[Grenoble]

Yellow.

And you are following the directions of the police - it overrides the Highway Code and default practice?

[Denis O]

I'm amazed there is even a debate on this. Perhaps it's an age thing but in my 40 years on the road, yellow is the only route I would take unless the road markings made me take the red route; and they do on occassions.

Yellow is much safer for the reasons already explained so why would you use red unless you had to.

Lunacy.

[Gad-Westy]

I'm another that follows the red route unless it's very obvious that yellow is more practical (some junctions just work naturally one way or the other).

The yellow route may provide better line of sight in some circumstances but on a typical busy junction your view will still be blocked by the the other cars queuing from the opposite direction so nothing gained. The yellow route also opens up the possibility of genuine gridlock if following cars don't leave a gap on both sides of the road. Nobody is going to be going anywhere in that scenario.

[Bayleaf]

You must obey a uniformed police officer is the correct answer - if safe to do so.

As mentioned a couple of posts above, any uniformed officers instructions completely trump the highway code.

[Robb F]

Denis O said:

I'm amazed there is even a debate on this. Perhaps it's an age thing but in my 40 years on the road, yellow is the only route I would take unless the road markings made me take the red route; and they do on occassions.

Yellow is much safer for the reasons already explained so why would you use red unless you had to.

Lunacy.

Indeed. I've died almost 90% of the time I've used the red method.

[saaby93]

usually yellow, as it allows for traffic changing its mind and going straight on
usually red if it's a traffic light junction

[kambites]

I do both, depending on the exact geometry of the junction.

Yellow gives better visibility of the stream of traffic you're crossing so is better in that respect, but it also requires two car's widths in the centre of the road which will often block traffic trying to go straight-on.

[Petrolhead_Rich]

Carcharodon said:

I Have been a avid reader of Pistonheads for some time, and now I have finally joined the forum, so I'm looking forward to joining the community.

I recently had an argument with a policeman on a motorbike, (he was mostly arguing) when I was turning right at some traffic lights. He instructed me to go around him instead of turning in front of him when I was turning right. I was sure this was not correct as I would be blocked by the traffic behind him wanting to turn into the opposite direction, however he was quite intimidating and I just backed down after exchanging a few words with him. I would like some advice whether I was right or wrong in this situation. If I am wrong then I will accept it, but I feel that police seem to think that just because they are police officers they are automatically right.

The other cars behind him and behind me were quite confused by what he was wanting us all to do, reinforcing my assumptions about being right. I have attached a screenshot of the junction where this happened. The red arrows are where I thought traffic should be going and the yellow is where he directed me and the other cars.

I thought because I was receiving directions from a policeman I should not challenge it as I may be prosecuted etc. However with hindsight I think I would stick to my gut instinct as I was not comfortable doing what he was telling me.

Your thoughts would be most helpful.

Regards.

Edited by Carcharodon on Thursday 9th May 22:19

I was taught either is correct, but you should assess on the shape of the junction, to be fair that junction (IMO) would be a turn offside to offside rather than a nearside to nearside turn.

Perhaps being a Police Motorcyclist he is also pretty clued up on correct driving, and by you attempting to turn nearside to nearside you are essentially driving straight into his path, which probably irritated him somewhat and explains his "shouting", Police are afterall only human.

[anonymous-user]

Robb F said:

I've died almost 90% of the time I've used the red method.

Ah - so you've died, on what? 80, 85% of the occasions when you've used the red method?

You sound well on it, I must admit.

[Munter]

I did red on my driving test (in the 90s), turning right here:
http://goo.gl/maps/mb1zO

I got a minor mark for cutting the corner a bit too much. BUT the traffic towards me was single lane and held up be the car turning in front of me. So there was no question of my view being obscured.

Everybody does red here, because the right turn lanes are facing each other, but near misses with stuff oncoming are quite common.
http://goo.gl/maps/yqQsk

So I can see how yellow should be safer, but I'm not sold on it 100%.

[Robb F]

Greg66 said:

Ah - so you've died, on what? 80, 85% of the occasions when you've used the red method?

You sound well on it, I must admit.

Well I drive a Clio so the robust build quality keeps all the body parts in one place.

[martine]

Carcharodon said:

I think we all can't be experts on the highway code and we always learn something new everyday (hence why I made this post). I think common sense and courtesy probably trump following rules blindly in every circumstance.

Err it's a legal requirement that we ARE all experts on the Highway Code...when you signed the form at your driving test you agreed to keep up to date with the Highway Code...but I know what you mean.