Argument with Policeman at Crossroads

[Carcharodon]

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

[funkyrobot]

Only one of you can steer the bike you know.

[shambolic]

Depending on how open the junction is, you should pass him then turn behind him. That is the correct procedure.

[Troubleatmill]

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

[Raize]

Highway code says either is OK, I believe.

[Robb F]

181
When turning right at crossroads where an oncoming vehicle is also turning right, there is a choice of two methods

turn right side to right side; keep the other vehicle on your right and turn behind it. This is generally the safer method as you have a clear view of any approaching traffic when completing your turn
left side to left side, turning in front of each other. This can block your view of oncoming vehicles, so take extra care. Cyclists and motorcyclists in particular may be hidden from your view. Road layout, markings or how the other vehicle is positioned can determine which course should be taken.




So do whatever basically.

[shambolic]

As I said yellow if open junction and safest approach but red can be used if tight closed junction where no one can come up the inside of other vehicle.

[Carcharodon]

Thanks for your reply. I would like to know why yellow is better?

Also when the majority of people will take the red line, how can you take the yellow?

thanks

[Carcharodon]

So its probably better to "go with the flow" than try and be awkward by doing something different (like the policeman)

[premio]

I'd have done yellow just to keep on the right side of the road but also see nothing wrong with red.

My genuine advice (in sincerity) would be just forget about it. It's really not worth spending any thought on.

[Carcharodon]

Thanks, don't worry i'm not losing any sleep over it.

[MX7]

I think it depends on the width of the junction.

[Troubleatmill]

Easy. No obstacle in front of you You have a clear view. ( Peering around a car to see if something hooning straight on isn't fun )
It stops a snake of cars getting caught in the middle of the junction.
It really is safer and works really well.
Problem is- most folks understanding of highway code stopped when they were 17 and 3/4.
Sometimes when you try this - you get the finger - and they have no idea what is going on.

For fun. Get a highway code - show some signs. See how well everyone else gets them.
Driving gods are usually the worst scoring- but they are driving gods - so their real world experience is paramount.

We all can continue to learn and improve. 99.9% of folks don't.

[johnnyBv8]

With your (red) option your view of oncoming traffic is limited by the other car turning, so generally his (yellow) option is the safer one. However, it does often depend on the junction I suppose.

[xreyuk]

I would try and do yellow, but I'm usually forced to do red because your average Joe motorist positions themselves to do red.

[fjord]

I dont understand why people go 'under' (we all do it), when 'over' is much safer.

[Marti99]

Yellow seems crazy to me, what if there was a line if cars waiting to turn? Or there is just one, you go behind to wait to cross, another car joins the queue etc. I know what the Highway Code says, it just seems silly and nobody does it anyway for that very reason.

[Troubleatmill]

Marti99 said:

Yellow seems crazy to me, what if there was a line if cars waiting to turn? Or there is just one, you go behind to wait to cross, another car joins the queue etc. I know what the Highway Code says, it just seems silly and nobody does it anyway for that very reason.

The idea is that it stops the line - so when the lights change - no one is stuck in the middle.

It does work. Problem is no-one reads the rules.

Q/ Do you think you could pass a theory test 9am tomorrow. If the answer is No. - Do something about it.
Now go tell 45 million of your friends.

That's the problem.


... Honestly 3 years ago - I'd say I'd pass with over 90%. Now - I'll confess I'd struggle to get 50%.

Edited by Troubleatmill on Thursday 9th May 22:48

[anonymous-user]

I was taught (many years ago) yellow, but I was also taught that if you were the third car waiting to turn right, you should wait behind the white stop line so that there is a gap between you and the second car for oncoming cars to turn right into. Once car 1 or 1 and 2 in front of you have cleared the junction, you move forward into the middle of the junction.

Nowadays most drivers seem to treat it as a free for all.

Red means you're unsighted by the incoming red queue. It's tempting to edge forward into the oncoming traffic to get a better look. Quite possible that the Trafpol had someone do just that to him as he was riding straight through a junction, and now right the queuing is a bugbear of his.

[Robb F]

Troubleatmill said:

The idea is that it stops the line - so when the lights change - no one is stuck in the middle.

It does work. Problem is no-one reads the rules.

Q/ Do you think you could pass a theory test 9am tomorrow. If the answer is No. - Do something about it.
Now go tell 45 million of your friends.

That's the problem.

But the link you provided says that either is acceptable