Right Turn Against a Filter Arrow
You are first at the stop line of a four-way junction at 18:10 in light rain. Your lane has a circular green signal and, beside it, a green right-turn filter arrow. You want to turn right. Oncoming traffic is heavy: a continuous stream of cars, two buses, and a cyclist hugging the kerb. A pedestrian is waiting on the far corner. A police officer stands on the near corner with arms lowered at his sides, palms facing you. Your passenger says the filter arrow means you can go now. A car behind sounds its horn twice.
1. Does the green filter arrow give you an unconditional right to turn? Explain what it permits and what still constrains you.
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No. A green filter arrow shows that traffic going in the arrow's direction may proceed - it does not suspend the duty to give way. Turning right across oncoming traffic still requires you to yield to vehicles coming straight through, and to pedestrians already crossing the road you intend to enter.
The arrow's practical value is that it confirms your movement is protected from some conflicting flows at that moment, but the oncoming stream you can see is real, so you wait. The horn behind is pressure, not permission; the passenger's reading is incomplete. Proceed only when there is a clear gap and the pedestrian is not committed to crossing your exit.
2. What is the effect of the officer's posture, and how do you weigh it against the signals and the honking?
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An officer directing traffic overrides the signals. Arms lowered with palms facing you is a stop/hold indication for your approach - it is not an invitation to turn. Even if the filter arrow and a gap appeared, you should remain at the line until the officer's direction changes or he signals you through.
This resolves the conflict cleanly: signals say the movement is permitted in principle, the officer says hold now, and the officer wins. The honking car behind has no authority at all; respond by staying put and, once moving, letting them pass if they are aggressive.
Watch the officer continuously rather than the lights, because his next gesture may come before the signal changes.