Let’s clear up some misconceptions about what you can do when you want to turn right at traffic lights where there’s no green turning arrow. If everyone follows these rules, more traffic can flow through the intersection.
As soon as the traffic lights turn green, the lead car can move into the intersection as long as the road that it’s turning into isn’t blocked.
Because it’s not possible to make the turn without then blocking a lane of opposing traffic, the right-turning car should not enter the intersection, but should wait behind the line
If the lights turn red then there’s nowhere for the car to go – it might not be able to reverse if the vehicles behind it have moved up to the line, there could be pedestrians waiting to cross on the right, and it can’t fit into the lane where the line of red cars is waiting.
But if there is no blockage in the road, then it’s permitted to pull into the intersection and wait. The vehicle is even permitted to turn as the lights go yellow or red. For this reason, it’s important that your wheels have cleared any induction loop that triggers a red light camera.
As the road is clear, you can wait to turn.
While it’s OK for one vehicle to enter the intersection, it’s not OK for two or more.
The second vehicle should wait behind the line until the first vehicle can clearly move to exit the intersection
Not using these rules causes frustration for drivers behind you as it causes extra traffic delays.
This is the legislation:
Clause 4.5(2) of the Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004: Despite anything in Part 3, a driver approaching an intersection or an area controlled by traffic signals must not enter the intersection or controlled area if the driver’s intended passage or exit is blocked by stationary traffic.
Darren has written over 3000 articles about driving and vehicles, plus almost 500 vehicle reviews and numerous driving courses. Connect with him on LinkedIn by clicking the name above
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