The Left-Turning SUV at a Green Light
You are approaching a signalised intersection at about 45 km/h in the right-hand lane of a two-lane road. Your light is green. An SUV in the opposing left-turn lane has its left indicator on and has begun to creep forward, its front wheels angled across your path. A pedestrian is waiting at the corner on your right, and a cyclist is riding in the bike lane just ahead of you. The intersection has a painted yellow box junction and a stop line set back about 4 m from the crossing. Weather is dry and visibility is good.
1. Who has right-of-way, and what should you do as you enter the intersection?
Read the worked answer
A green light gives you right-of-way to proceed straight, but right-of-way is something you are given, not something you can enforce. The turning SUV must yield to oncoming traffic; however, its wheels are already angled, which is the classic cue that the driver has committed and may not have seen you.
Actions:
- Ease off the throttle and cover the brakes, reducing to a speed where you can stop within the distance you can see.
- Do not enter the yellow box junction unless your exit is clear; blocking it is an offence and traps you in the conflict zone.
- Establish eye contact with the SUV driver if possible; if you cannot see the driver's face, assume they have not seen you.
- Hold your lane position rather than swerving toward the cyclist or pedestrian; sudden lateral moves create new collisions.
- Be ready to stop, but do not stop dead in the junction if the SUV does turn - accelerate smoothly through instead.
The tested judgement is treating a green light as permission to proceed cautiously, not as a guarantee.
2. The cyclist ahead slows unexpectedly. How does this change your plan, and what lane position do you take?
Read the worked answer
The cyclist is a vulnerable road user travelling in the same direction, and their slowing suggests an unseen hazard (pothole, opening door, pedestrian).
Revised plan:
- Increase following distance to at least a two-second gap, more if the surface is wet.
- Do not pass the cyclist inside the junction. Overtaking while also managing the turning SUV splits your attention and squeezes the cyclist.
- Position slightly left of the cyclist's line so you are visible in the SUV driver's windscreen and have an escape path, but stay within your lane.
- Re-check the pedestrian on the right before any rightward movement.
- If the SUV does turn across you, brake in a straight line rather than swerving into the cyclist's path.
The key is sequencing hazards: the turning vehicle is the highest-energy threat, so preserve a straight-line braking option and avoid committing to a pass until the junction is cleared.