I’m very fortunate that writing these posts for A Pass 4 U Driving School, allows me to indulge my forgetful memory and remind my inner driver, exactly what certain aspects of our road traffic control measures mean and the most recent one which has caused me some consternation has been the BOX JUNCTION!
I’ve said before, that passing your test as a Learner Driver doesn’t necessarily have to mean that you stop learning, or remember everything that you have learned during an intensive period of time.
I don’t know about you but I’m not perfect and even though my emergency response driver of a Husband seems to never forget anything (he is a qualified driving instructor and a student paramedic) I have to ask questions and remind myself to look things up I am unsure about, or take a quick refresher lesson to bring my thinking and my driving back up to scratch.
Sitting outside a box junction in my home town, I began to think about all the different places I had seen them – here there were cars turning into a left hand lane and coming out of a right hand one with lights straight ahead and I know if these weren’t there – inconsiderate drivers would block the access.
In London, I have seen them at traffic lights and personally experienced anxious palpitations, on deciding whether or not to take a chance that the traffic lights will stay on green and I will get through this yellow box of fear, rather than they will change for red and my car will be charged with a heft penalty, for doing the wrong thing at the wrong time.
Transport for London explains eloquently below, how to use a box junction and for those of you who prefer something visual. Skip down to the video…
How to use a yellow box junction
You may enter a yellow box junction when your exit is clear and there is enough space on the other side of the junction for your vehicle to clear the box completely without stopping.
You can stop in a yellow box junction when turning right if you are prevented from turning by oncoming traffic, or by other vehicles waiting to turn right.
Do not simply follow the vehicle in front as it may stop and prevent your exit and don’t let other drivers pressure you to enter the box when a clear exit is not available. tfl.gov.uk
It’s not just the UK which uses these measures to control traffic, so it really is worth knowing the rules and then reading up about the country you are driving through overseas.
Remember you don’t need to get the box junction blues, or a Penalty Charge Notice before learning, or reminding yourself, exactly why they are there and what they are for. Inform yourself, so you can prepare for your journeys properly!