The Blocked Intersection at Dusk
It is 5:40 pm in winter and the light is fading. You are driving south on a two-lane suburban road with a posted limit of 60 km/h. Ahead is a signalised intersection where you intend to turn right. The light for your direction is green, but the queue of southbound traffic has backed up across the intersection because the far side is blocked by a stalled delivery van. Your right-turn arrow is not showing. A pedestrian is waiting at the crossing on your left, and a car behind you is sitting close to your bumper. You have been stationary for about 40 seconds when the light turns amber.
1. Should you enter the intersection to complete the right turn as the light turns amber? Explain your reasoning.
Read the worked answer
No. Entering would put you in the middle of a blocked intersection with no clear exit, which risks blocking cross traffic and the pedestrian crossing.
Key points:
- A green light permits you to proceed only if the intersection or the road beyond it has room for your vehicle. If the far side is blocked, you must wait behind the stop line even on green.
- Turning amber does not create a right to enter a blocked box. You may only enter on amber if you can clear the intersection safely and legally.
- The pedestrian on your left has priority once their signal permits them to cross; sitting in the box would obstruct them.
- The close-following car behind is not a reason to enter. If it strikes you, that is their failure to keep a safe distance, not your obligation to move into a hazard.
- Correct action: stay behind the stop line, wait for the next cycle, and only turn right when the far lane is clear and the pedestrian crossing is clear.
2. If you do enter on the next green and the light turns red while you are waiting mid-intersection for a gap, what should you do?
Read the worked answer
You should complete the turn as soon as it is safe, even if the light has turned red, because you are already lawfully in the intersection.
Reasoning:
- Once you have entered the intersection on a permitted signal, you are entitled to clear it. Stopping in the middle would be more dangerous than finishing the manoeuvre.
- Give way to oncoming traffic and pedestrians who have a green walk signal. Do not force a gap.
- If oncoming traffic is heavy, edge forward only when you can see a safe gap; do not creep into the path of a cyclist or pedestrian.
- The lesson: only enter when you can see a realistic exit. If you cannot, wait behind the line next cycle.