Thread: Road Rules questions - got me stumped - traffic lights and merging lanes

If there is no arrow illuminated, just treat it the same as an intersection that has trafic lights but doesn't have the arrows.

If the round light is green and no turn lights are illuminated, you can turn if it is clear to do so, but if turning right you don't have right of way. You don't have to stop.

If you have a green arrow, you can turn, you have right of way and you don't have to stop.

Easiest way is to display P plates, you don't have to obey the rules then.

Originally Posted by Toxic_Avenger

...BUT if the arrow disappears (goes from orange to blank), than the intersection should be treated as if it's a stop sign, where you enter the intersection when safe to do so, giving way to traffic as normal...

Why would you stop, unless there is a pedestrian or other traffic in the way? It's no different to any other side street accessed off a through road. In the absence of a definitive sign:

Give way rules where there are no signs

Some crossroads have no traffic lights or signs. Generally if you're turning across another vehicle's path, you must give way.
When turning at an intersection, you must give way to:

• Oncoming vehicles going straight ahead.
• Oncoming vehicles turning left.
• Any vehicle on your right.

If you and an oncoming vehicle are turning right at an intersection both cars should pass in front of each other.
If other drivers do not give way to you, do not force them or yourself into a dangerous situation.
You must also give way to any pedestrians at or near the intersection on the road you are entering.

Intersections & turning - Road rules - Safety & rules - Roads - Roads and Maritime Services

A flashing Orange Arrow for turns left are to remind you to give way to pedestrians who may still be crossing in front of you while turning left, Regards Frank.

Originally Posted by Toxic_Avenger

Can anyone offer advice on the road rules (NSW particularly) regarding traffic lights? My question relates to turning left (or right) at an intersection when the turning arrow is blank (ie NOT red, but will show the orange or green arrows when necessary).
I've always been taught to stop at the intersection, then proceed into the intersection once safe to do so. Although it appears most of the drivers where I live either don't do this, or don't know the rules. I'm starting to think I'm in the wrong!
I've had a full licence for 14 years now, and took a significant number of professional driver training lessons whilst on learner plates (approx 50hrs), and most recently, a driver awareness training thru work. No accident history, nil points against my licence. I think I'm safe enough, but it never hurts to freshen up on the road rules.

What's the understanding of this situation? I couldn't find much info here.


I'm also confused about indicating at the 'zipper lanes' that are more commonplace these days - the lanes which don't merge, two lanes immediately end, and form one very wide lane. Last week in the ACT, drivers were indicating left or right when their lane ends. There is a pic here, but no mention of indicating. The rules in my uncerstanding are that you need to signal to "give plenty of warning before you turn left or right, or change lanes". In this instance, the lane ends abruptly, and you don't cross a line... confusion abounds.

Help?!

So much simpler driving in Kuala Lumpur.
- lights and lane markings are advisory only
- use of turn signals deprecated
- one rule for all situations: "Me First"

Sixteen years living here and 15 of them driving like a Malaysian - no accidents. All good.

Yes, three years of driving in Bangkok taught me the same thing. Road rules are really considered only to be guidelines, to be enforced when considered necessary. Why only have two lanes if there is enough space to squeeze in three rows of vehicles (or even four)?

Traffic lights and road rules.

In NSW drivers act as if there aren't any rules.

At traffic lights with green arrows (and amber arrows) when the green arrow is illuminated you can turn across oncoming traffic because they have a red light. It turns to amber to inform you that the oncoming traffic is about to get green. After the amber arrow goes out you can turn across the oncoming traffic only if it is safe to do so. It doesn't need a red arrow because the main red illuminates when you cant proceed or turn.

In NSW it is illegal to do a U turn at traffic lights even where there is a median strip, unless there is signage "U Turns permitted".

Try to tell NSW motorists that they can't do U turns at traffic lights and they'll look at you like you come from another planet.

Don't get me started on giving way at round-abouts!

Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

T
In NSW it is illegal to do a U turn at traffic lights even where there is a median strip, unless there is signage "U Turns permitted".

Try to tell Vic. motorists that they can't do U turns at traffic lights and they'll look at you like you come from another planet.

Fixed it for you. I don't see many NSW Plated vehicles doing U-turns.

Have ever noticed we rarely (ever?) get advice/comments from members who are also police officers?