Box Junction, Double White Lines and a Tailgater
You are riding in the left lane of a two-lane road approaching a signal-controlled junction. The light is green. Ahead is a yellow box junction, and the exit beyond it is blocked by a queue of cars. On your right, double white lines separate your direction from opposing traffic, and the line nearest you is solid. A lorry ahead is travelling at 30 km/h in a 50 km/h zone. You want to overtake it before the junction, then turn right at the next side road. A pedestrian is waiting at a zebra crossing 20 m after the junction, and a car is tailgating you closely. It is daylight and the road is dry, but parked delivery vans narrow the left lane.
1. The light is green, but the exit beyond the box junction is blocked. Should you enter the box?
Read the worked answer
No. A green light does not give you the right to enter a box junction if your exit is blocked. The purpose of the yellow box is to keep the junction clear for crossing traffic, and entering it when you cannot clear it simply moves the queue into the junction. That obstructs the cross traffic and is an offence.
Wait before the box, even though the light is green, and leave enough space to see the lorry's rear wheels and the exit beyond. Do not follow the lorry into the box just because it moves forward. If the queue begins to clear and you can see a clear exit, then proceed. The tailgating car behind may pressure you to move, but your legal and safe obligation is to keep the box clear.
2. Can you overtake the lorry before the junction?
Read the worked answer
No. The double white lines have a solid line on your side, which means you must not cross or straddle them. Overtaking the lorry would require crossing that solid line, even if the opposing lane looks clear. The fact that the lorry is slow does not create an exception. Overtaking just before a junction is also risky because of turning traffic and the pedestrian crossing ahead.
Stay behind the lorry, increase your gap, and wait until the lines change to a broken line or a permitted overtaking section, and until you have a clear view and a safe gap. If you need to turn right at the next side road, plan the turn only where it is legal to cross the lines or where the markings permit it. Do not let the tailgater behind push you into an illegal or unsafe overtake.
3. What should you do about the tailgating car and the pedestrian at the zebra crossing?
Read the worked answer
For the tailgater, do not react by speeding up or braking sharply. Increase the gap to the lorry so that you can slow gradually, signal early, and keep a steady line. If the car tries to overtake, let it go rather than racing it. At the junction, stop smoothly and keep an eye on your mirrors until the car has stopped.
For the pedestrian, approach the zebra crossing at a speed that lets you stop if they step out. In Hong Kong you must give way to pedestrians on the crossing; a waiting pedestrian may still step off, so cover the brakes and reduce speed. Do not wave them across if other lanes have not stopped. Keep the bike stable and avoid stopping on the crossing itself.