A flashing amber arrow and a blocked exit at a signalised junction
You are at a signalised junction in Bulgaria. Your direction has a green light, but the exit beyond the junction is full of queued cars and a bus is blocking part of the box. A green arrow for turning right is also showing, and a pedestrian signal on the road you want to enter shows a flashing green. A police officer is standing at the corner but is not giving hand signals. You are the first car at the line.
1. May you enter the junction on green if the exit is blocked? Explain the reasoning.
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A green light allows you to proceed, but it does not give you the right to enter a junction you cannot clear. If the exit is full of queued traffic, entering would leave you stopped in the junction, blocking the cross traffic and possibly the bus. The correct approach is to wait behind the stop line until there is space on the far side, even while the light is green.
The green arrow for the right turn does not change that. It permits the turn, but you still must not enter unless you can complete it and clear the junction. The flashing green pedestrian signal on the road you want to enter is a further warning: pedestrians may still be crossing, so the exit may not be clear even if the queue moves.
2. What is the effect of the police officer standing at the corner without signals?
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An officer who is present but not giving signals does not override the lights. The lights and signs continue to control the junction. You should not treat the officer's presence as a signal to go, nor should you ignore the officer if they later give a hand signal. If the officer does give a signal, it takes priority over the lights, and you must follow it.
So for now, obey the lights and the rule about not blocking the junction. Watch the officer, because the situation may change, but do not move just because an officer is nearby.
3. The pedestrian signal flashes green as you wait. What does that mean for your right turn, and what should you do?
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A flashing green pedestrian signal means the pedestrian phase is ending, but pedestrians already on the crossing may still be finishing. It is not a signal for you to drive at pedestrians. Before turning right, you must check the crossing you are entering and give way to anyone still on it.
So wait behind the line until there is space beyond the junction, then turn only when the crossing is clear and you can clear the junction without stopping in it. Do not use the green arrow to push through a crowd of pedestrians. If pedestrians are still crossing when your light changes, let them finish.