8mm Forum: (OOT) Can you turn left on red in UK?

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Posted by Winbert Hutahaean (Member # 58) on October 09, 2009, 10:15 AM:

I am wondering what is the traffic rule in UK.

If you are on red light and it is on red, and you are on left lane. Can you turn left after stopping on red. Or you need to wait until green.

(ps: UK is right handed drivers)

cheers,

winbert

Posted by Martin Jones (Member # 1163) on October 09, 2009, 10:23 AM:

No, Winbert,if RED is the only light it refers to left, right and straight ahead at all times. Some sets of lights will have "Filter" arrows which are GREEN arrows permitting travel in the indicated direction while other directions are barred by RED lights. (By the way, it is the cars that are "right hand drive"; the drivers can be either left or right handed!).
Martin
EDIT: we do have some strange variations at crossings for pedestrians. Our traffic light system always involves RED AMBER, and GREEN lights. At ALL lights, RED means STOP, RED and AMBER together means PREPARE TO GO,and GREEN means GO. AMBER by itself means PREPARE TO STOP because it always precedes RED.
However, on some crossings RED is followed by a FLASHING AMBER by itself; this means IF THERE IS NOBODY ON THE CROSSING YOU DON'T HAVE TO WAIT FOR GREEN..YOU CAN GO! These are called "Pelican" crossings.
Our "Zebra" crossings are identified by flashing Amber balls on poles at each end. They do not have lights, but if someone steps onto the crossing you MUST stop. But once they have progressed past the half way mark you can then pass behind them if there is no one else trying to cross on your side of the road, or nobody has STARTED to cross from the other side.. Sort that lot out, and don't ask me to explain Box Junctions; most drivers in the UK have no idea of the rules in regard to those!
Martin

[ October 09, 2009, 12:37 PM: Message edited by: Martin Jones ]

Posted by Paul Adsett (Member # 25) on October 09, 2009, 02:19 PM:

Winbert, I tried turning right on a red light (legal in Florida) on my last visit to the UK. It does'nt work! [Big Grin]

Posted by Martin Jones (Member # 1163) on October 10, 2009, 04:17 AM:

Paul,

re: your next trip to UK.
Please publish full detailed itinerary before you come....
so we can keep off the roads!
Martin

Posted by Bart Smith (Member # 780) on October 10, 2009, 06:35 AM:

But once they have progressed past the half way mark you can then pass behind them if there is no one else trying to cross on your side of the road, or nobody has STARTED to cross from the other side..

Not so sure on this particular point Martin!

Zebra crossings with a central island are considered 2 separate crossings.

As a driver you have to let the pedestrian FINISH crossing before you START to drive off.

Posted by Martin Jones (Member # 1163) on October 10, 2009, 07:39 AM:

Posted by Martin Jones (Member # 1163) on October 10, 2009, 07:40 AM:

Bart,
The actual requirement is that you "must allow pedestrians precedence". This means that you cannot use the road over which they wish to "proceed", but you can use that part over which they have already "proceeded".With all due care, of course!
In the case of one with an island, each half is a separate crossing,so long as there is flashing amber light on a pole on the island, as you observe.
Martin

Posted by Bart Smith (Member # 780) on October 10, 2009, 08:57 AM:

Martin,

I think you would find that you would fail a driving test these days if you did as you are suggesting!

Posted by Martin Jones (Member # 1163) on October 10, 2009, 09:26 AM:

Luckily, I do not have to pass a test so I do not have to test the reaction from an examiner. I am only quoting what is legally required... "allowing precedence"
The Highway code http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_070339 (section 195) puts it in simple terms ... "MUST give way". Once you have done that it's up to you how to proceed without breaking that rule. And I did say "with all due care"; that's where being a careful driver comes in.
Martin

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