Keep clear road markings. who has the right of way?
Discussion
Hi guys. just a quick one.
This morning I was a part of a potential accident. its on a traffic lighted roundabout. so I was in the left lane out of two lanes approaching the roundabout (one lane for left turn. The other for right)
on the left of me is a petrol station and two KEEP CLEAR sections about 10 foot apart in front of me, For entry to it by the other side of the road.
Now as my lane (left) was only allowed to go. I drove to enter the roundabout now as I was just about on the KEEP clear section a car was coming at my side. causing a near side crash.
What could I have done right here?? vision isn't great. Was it my right of way.
Thank you
This morning I was a part of a potential accident. its on a traffic lighted roundabout. so I was in the left lane out of two lanes approaching the roundabout (one lane for left turn. The other for right)
on the left of me is a petrol station and two KEEP CLEAR sections about 10 foot apart in front of me, For entry to it by the other side of the road.
Now as my lane (left) was only allowed to go. I drove to enter the roundabout now as I was just about on the KEEP clear section a car was coming at my side. causing a near side crash.
What could I have done right here?? vision isn't great. Was it my right of way.
Thank you
" was a part of a potential accident"
What is a potential accident?
"Right of way" is from land law. It does not occur in motoring. Vehicles have "priorities" and those priorities are mostly set out in the Highway Code.
My understanding is that Keep Clear markings are advisory not statutory, and that in the case of a "potential accident" which resolves to an insurance claim the insurance companies will mostly do as they please.
"causing a near side crash."
Was this a crash or a potential crash? You will find clarity of writing useful if you're dealing with a claim.
Also, a green traffic light does not mean you are "allowed to go" under all circumstances.
What is a potential accident?
"Right of way" is from land law. It does not occur in motoring. Vehicles have "priorities" and those priorities are mostly set out in the Highway Code.
My understanding is that Keep Clear markings are advisory not statutory, and that in the case of a "potential accident" which resolves to an insurance claim the insurance companies will mostly do as they please.
"causing a near side crash."
Was this a crash or a potential crash? You will find clarity of writing useful if you're dealing with a claim.
Also, a green traffic light does not mean you are "allowed to go" under all circumstances.
Edited by Tyred on Friday 19th December 18:48
Edited by Tyred on Friday 19th December 18:49
Was this all before you got to the roundabout? You were approaching the roundabout and as you were crossing the Keep Clear someone drove out of the petrol station and (nearly?) hit you - is that right?
Yes, you had priority, although priority doesn't absolve you of the responsibility to drive carefully (i.e. simply having priority doesn't give you automatic immunity from blame). When you say vision wasn't great, do you mean vision of the petrol station exit, i.e. difficult to see enough to know whether there's someone there wanting to emerge? Other then 'proceed with caution', moving to your right, partially across into the other lane, to gain some lateral separation from the hazard would be well worth considering but that's obviously not an option if there's traffic in that lane. Covering the horn perhaps wouldn't do any harm. Maybe wind a window down so you have a chance of hearing what you can't see.
Having said all that, at some point you will be part-way across the entrance and if that's the point some eejit decides to come charging out without looking, there's not a lot you can do about it.
EDIT: I see from other posts I've maybe misunderstood. Was your assailant an oncomer turning right into the petrol station? I thought it was someone exiting the petrol station. Either way, I think what I've said still stands except for the bit about moving to the right. No, the Keep Clear does not give the oncomer priority over you. But if your lane has been stationary and the lane to your right still is stationary, you can imagine an oncomer having a brain fart and thinking it's OK to drive straight across so 'proceed with caution' is still your mantra for the occasion. If you need to creep and peep in order to make sure it's clear, that is NOT obstructing the traffic behind - get that sort of thinking right out of your head - that is driving at an appropriate speed for the hazard you are dealing with.
Yes, you had priority, although priority doesn't absolve you of the responsibility to drive carefully (i.e. simply having priority doesn't give you automatic immunity from blame). When you say vision wasn't great, do you mean vision of the petrol station exit, i.e. difficult to see enough to know whether there's someone there wanting to emerge? Other then 'proceed with caution', moving to your right, partially across into the other lane, to gain some lateral separation from the hazard would be well worth considering but that's obviously not an option if there's traffic in that lane. Covering the horn perhaps wouldn't do any harm. Maybe wind a window down so you have a chance of hearing what you can't see.
Having said all that, at some point you will be part-way across the entrance and if that's the point some eejit decides to come charging out without looking, there's not a lot you can do about it.
EDIT: I see from other posts I've maybe misunderstood
. Was your assailant an oncomer turning right into the petrol station? I thought it was someone exiting the petrol station. Either way, I think what I've said still stands except for the bit about moving to the right. No, the Keep Clear does not give the oncomer priority over you. But if your lane has been stationary and the lane to your right still is stationary, you can imagine an oncomer having a brain fart and thinking it's OK to drive straight across so 'proceed with caution' is still your mantra for the occasion. If you need to creep and peep in order to make sure it's clear, that is NOT obstructing the traffic behind - get that sort of thinking right out of your head - that is driving at an appropriate speed for the hazard you are dealing with.Edited by SK425 on Friday 19th December 19:07
Edited by SK425 on Friday 19th December 19:08
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