Reply to: Highway Code Quiz

[SueEllen]

Hmmm driving instructor says yes

I saw a driving instructor slam the brakes on at a zebra crossing that had an island in the middle when the pedestrians hadn't even started crossing the other side, so I don't have a high regard for all driving instructors.

[NickFitz]

Hmmm driving instructor says yes

"Don’t forget, when turning right you can enter a broken white line chevron if you feel by not doing so you would stop the traffic flow from behind."

So the question now becomes, is there anybody behind you? Presumably if you're the last car in the queue you have to wait for somebody else to approach, as there is no traffic flow from behind for you to be stopping. Once somebody appears in your rearview mirror, you are going to stop their flow when they arrive, so you can then enter the chevrons and allow them to flow an extra car's length.

[vetran]

Hmmm driving instructor says yes

I'll ask a car mechanic they might know.

Make it an examiner or Traffic cop then it might hold some weight.

[BrilloPad]

Have you asked your defense lawyer?

[Troll]

Hmmm driving instructor says yes

[NickFitz]

Sadly shortening your journey time by 0.00032 seconds is not deemed necessary in the eyes of the law.

:'(

FTFY

[vetran]

Is blocking the flow of traffic unusual circumstances?

For example if there is a hospital with an A&E or a fire station nearby then you blocking the flow of traffic would mean 50% of the time you would be blocking an emergency vehicle or making them do a more dangerous manoeuvre.

You could argue its a necessity to get out of the way of blue lights but not traffic. You still have to obey the rules in front of Blue lights, they get a suspension not you.

[SueEllen]

Incorrect, it's a necessity when you get to the bit where the lane is marked, before that it's just something you want to do.

Treat the chevrons as if they are a kerbed traffic island, you're not allowed to go on there barring unusual circumstances.

Is blocking the flow of traffic unusual circumstances?

For example if there is a hospital with an A&E or a fire station nearby then you blocking the flow of traffic would mean 50% of the time you would be blocking an emergency vehicle or making them do a more dangerous manoeuvre.

[original PM]

Sadly shortening your journey time by 3.2 seconds is not deemed necessary in the eyes of the law.

:'(

[TykeMerc]

I'm turning right at the traffic lights ergo it's a necessity

Incorrect, it's a necessity when you get to the bit where the lane is marked, before that it's just something you want to do.

Treat the chevrons as if they are a kerbed traffic island, you're not allowed to go on there barring unusual circumstances.

[Troll]

So, in this case, you need to find a definition of "necessary" that allows you to do what you want

I'm turning right at the traffic lights ergo it's a necessity

[vetran]

Wrong

Nope

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-high...ers-103-to-158

Areas of white diagonal stripes or chevrons painted on the road. These are to separate traffic lanes or to protect traffic turning right.

If the area is bordered by a broken white line, you should not enter the area unless it is necessary and you can see that it is safe to do so.

It is not necessary in the situation you can wait, you could suggest it is if a vehicle were parked and you had to go round it.

[NickFitz]

According to the relevant rule (130):

Areas of white diagonal stripes or chevrons painted on the road. These are to separate traffic lanes or to protect traffic turning right.

• If the area is bordered by a broken white line, you should not enter the area unless it is necessary and you can see that it is safe to do so.
• If the area is marked with chevrons and bordered by solid white lines you MUST NOT enter it except in an emergency.

So, in this case, you need to find a definition of "necessary" that allows you to do what you want

[Troll]

wait

Wrong

[vetran]

wait