Junctions: Approach with caution
This allows for you to react to the situation appropriately and in good time
Assess type of junction
Assess as early as possible what kind of junction it is you are approaching:
- Unmarked junction
- junction with road with right of way
- dangerous junction within the built up area
- dangerous junction outside the built up area
- junction with a right-of-way road that bends
When assessing junction type, consider
- traffic intensity
- where you should line up
- view of other drivers
- your own view
- weather conditions
- position of pedestrians
Don’t block junction
Impede on all traffic as little as possible
When you are allowed to block/stop on junction
- if you want to turn left on a right of way road
- if you are driving through a green light with other vehicles and you suddenly have to stop
- if you have to give way to a road user with right of way
Driving onto a junction
You must not drive onto a junction unless:
- you can drive on immediately, or can clear it quickly
- you are able to line up your vehicle between the crossing traffic flows
- you see that the drive with the right of way is unable to drive on because he has to give way to another vehicle. You are then allowed to take advantage of this right of way but only if you are sure that you can cross the junction safely
If extra successive crossing areas, you have to pay extra attention if…
- you cross roads with separate carriageways
- you cross roads with cycle tracks and/or footpaths
- you cross cycle/moped paths with traffic in two directions
- you cross a main priority carriageway to drive into a service road
When driving into an exit..
If you’re driving into exit, and someone is driving out, you both must give way to each other.
Approaching speed
When you’re approaching an area where you know you need to give right of way, go at moderate speed instead of braking quickly.
- Don’t make the drivers with priority think you plans on moving ahead of them
- At stop sign, stop and give right of way to all those on crossing road.
Dangerous crossing
Indicated by traffic sign
- Will always be unmarked junction
- Be extra careful
T-junction
be prepared for those on the perpendicular road to act as if they have the right of way by not stopping
- Do not demand it
- prepare for this and go slower, so you don’t have to brake hard at the junction.
Junctions and broken traffic lights
Be careful at traffic lights with flashing amber
-there will usually be traffic signs to take over from the right of way rule, otherwise look, judge and decide for yourself.
When turning right…
Look left AND right as there might be a driver coming from the right, who is overtaking and is therefore on the part of the road you intend to drive on.
Right of way rules: approaching an unmarked junction
Act decisively and clearly and follow rules that apply
- If rules are unclear:
- stop for safety’s sake
- seek eye contact with other drivers
- communicate with gestures
-priority rules on junctions apply to drivers only, pedestrians have no priority rights
Right of way rules: giving right of way
Behaviour at junctions comply with right of way rules
-this applies to all other traffic participants involved.
Right of way rules: approaching an unmarked junction
There will be no signs..
Therefore:
-all drivers coming from the right have priority
-trams have priority over all other traffic
-people leading livestock have right of way when coming from the right, as they are considered drivers
-when many approach, you must jointly decide who goes first. ex. cyclist would be allowed first
Right of way rules: Approaching a signal controlled junction
If you have to give way to all drivers on the crossing road, the B6 (yield) sign will be used.
Right of way rules: Bending priority road
When you approach a bending priority road, you much give way to all crossing drivers on that bending priority road. When approaching, must also give way to drivers leaving the bending priority road.
Right of way rules: unpaved, paved
If you approach a paved road form an unpaved road, you give way to those on paved road.
Right of way rules: priority road
If you are on a priority road, you should be given priority
-as the traffic participant you can’t be too trusting. Always look before you are actually given the right of way.
Right of way rules: end of priority road
when you see the sign (yellow diamond with lines through it) your priority ends.
-This means you need to give right of way to crossing drivers from the right
Right of way rules: Crossroads with priority
- On many crossroads, priority is regulated by signs.
- the signs mean you must be given the right of way
- As you are not actually on a priority road, but just given priority for this junction, you must be aware that priority may be given differently
- these signs are the upside down yield signs with the main road and another small one coming off it (or two).
Right of way rules: Trams approaching priority road
If you are on a priority road and a tram is approaching from either side, the tram has no special priority rights. You should be given right of way by tram driver
Turning off: giving right of way
on every junction, if you are turning right or left, you must give way to those travelling straight
- position yourself so you don’t impede on traffic.
- this applies to all road users.
