5 dos and don'ts at intersections
Before the advent of traffic lights, the only rule available to motorists at uncontrolled intersections was give way to the right. Needless to say, this resulted in chaos, congestion, frustration, and more than a few bingles, particularly as vehicle numbers grew.
Words: John Pedler
Traffic lights started appearing in Adelaide in the late 1930s and have since been installed at most major intersections in the city, suburbs and beyond. They’re vital for traffic control, and by following the road rules and motoring etiquette, we can ensure that red, green and yellow can do their jobs effectively. Here are five dos and don’ts to keep road users and pedestrians safe at intersections, and help traffic flow.
1. Do follow the path marked by the turn line(s).
When turning at a traffic light with multiple turning lanes, you must stay within the marked turning lines and not cut the corner. This prevents you from drifting across turning lanes and sideswiping another vehicle. When necessary, some long vehicles are allowed to use more than one lane to turn, so it’s important to give them space and avoid overtaking them while they’re turning.
2. Don’t stop too far back from the stop line.
A sensor known as an inductive loop is built into the road surface just behind the stop line. When it detects a vehicle on top, it tells the traffic lights they need to change to green as part of the cycle. If no vehicles are detected, the green part of the cycle might be skipped. If you’re first in the queue and stop more than a car length back from the line, the sensor won’t be triggered and the light may stay red. This is especially noticeable at traffic lights that display a right or left-turn arrow.
If you’re riding a bicycle or motorcycle, position yourself in the middle of the inductive loop, which looks a bit like a sideways ‘figure-8’ indented in the road.
3. Do move into the intersection when you’re turning right without a right-turn arrow displayed.
When you’re turning right at an intersection without a right-turn arrow displayed, move forward into the intersection when the main light turns green if your vehicle can clear the stop line. Wait for a safe gap in oncoming traffic before turning.
Remember to give way to pedestrians and cyclists crossing the road you’re entering, and oncoming vehicles turning left in a dedicated left-turn lane, which is different from a slip lane. Vehicles turning left at a slip lane must give way to pedestrians and cyclists crossing the slip lane, as well as vehicles approaching from the right, including oncoming vehicles turning right.
It’s best to keep your wheels pointing forward until you turn, to avoid being pushed into oncoming traffic if you’re hit from behind.
4. Don’t queue across an intersection.
Don’t enter an intersection if it’s blocked by traffic, or if the road ahead is blocked on the other side of the intersection. This creates congestion and a hazard for all road users and pedestrians, particularly if the lights change and the intersection is still blocked. Before entering an intersection, be sure you can make it completely across.
You must not enter an intersection if the lights have already changed to yellow, unless there’s insufficient distance to safely stop before the stop line or you risk a rear-end crash with vehicles behind you.
5. Do turn left safely when there’s no left-turn arrow displayed.
When turning left, give way to pedestrians and cyclists crossing the road you’re entering. Check your passenger side and behind you for approaching cyclists, so you don’t cut them off when you turn.
When you’re turning left at an intersection with a slip lane, you must also give way to pedestrians and cyclists crossing the slip lane.
IMAGES: Getty, RAA.
Do you have a road rule question?
Email motoringroadrules@raa.com.au or call RAA’s road safety team on 8202 4570.
