Unmarked T-Junction with an Indicating Minibus
It is 7:25 a.m. on a weekday and you are driving a small hatchback on a steep minor road that meets the Valley Road near Canefield in a T-junction. There is no stop sign, no traffic light and no road marking across your lane; the through road has a broken white centre line. You want to turn right onto the through road. A route taxi minibus is coming from your right, indicator flashing left as if to turn into your road. Behind it, a line of cars is moving slowly. A pedestrian with a school child waits at the corner. Overnight rain has left gravel and a wet patch at the junction mouth. Your view to the left is partly blocked by a wall and a parked delivery van. The minibus is 20 metres away and slowing.
1. At this unmarked T-junction, who must give way, and does the minibus's left indicator change that?
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You are on the terminating road, so you must give way to traffic on the through road. That applies whether the through-road vehicle is coming from your right or your left. The minibus's left indicator is a statement of intention, not a grant of priority. It may be signalling early, may have left the indicator on by mistake, or may turn after passing your road. Wait until the minibus clearly slows and commits to the turn before you treat the through road as clear. Even then, check behind it and to your left, because another car may overtake or follow closely. Do not edge out simply because the minibus is slowing; the wet gravel can reduce your grip and shorten your margin for error.
2. How should you move off given the blocked view to the left and the pedestrian at the corner?
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Treat the blocked view as a stop condition, not an invitation to guess. Select first gear, release the handbrake only when you are ready, and creep forward until you can see past the wall and the delivery van. Stop again if necessary and look right, left, then right once more. Open the window to listen for approaching vehicles, especially in rain when tyres are noisy. Keep the wheels straight until you are sure you are not crossing into the path of traffic from the left. Do not wave the pedestrian or child across: you cannot see the whole junction, and another vehicle may be coming. Let them decide when it is safe. If the view remains blocked, wait for a licensed helper to guide you or choose another route.