Give way - who has the right?

cyclonebri1

Lum wrote: »

That's an idiotic layout and I'd lay the blame squarely with whoever came up with that.

However the sign clearly states that oncoming traffic has priority, which muddies the waters somewhat.

Did the crash take place after the build-out and were there cars parked up similarly to how they are in the picture. If the answer to both question is yes then it can be reasonably argued that the presence of parked cars AND a build out means that the taxi driver should reasonably expect cars on the wrong side of the road.

From the 1st post I don't think there was a crash, just a near miss.

But in agreement Lee's sketch surely is out of scale, no one would do that, would they???:eek:

DirectDebacle

These layouts are commonplace and are replicated under different circumstances by parked veicles, stationary buses at bus stops, temporary traffic lights at roadworks etc.

Only the incompetent have difficulty in negotiating or understanding them.

Lum

Incompetent? You mean like taxi drivers for example?

Also, going by the street view link at the bottom of the last page, the drawing isn't too far off the mark.

skiddlydiddly

I wouldn't say a taxi driver was incompetant, they just spend so much time on the road that some of them choose to ignore things like right of way as it just slows them down and time is money for them.Technicly, a taxi driver should be better than your average driver skillwise but decision making wise it can be a different story.

Have had situations like this but instead of an island its parked cars opposite or leading up to a side road.People just think they can pull out from the side road, ignoring the hatchings and assume as its "their side of the road" that they are in the right.

ailuro2

tbh I'd get in touch with the council and ask them about it.... it obviously needs extra signage to stop this happening over and over again...

I'd have waited to see what the taxi driver was going to do... it's one of those situations where it's not instantly clear, so always better to err on the side of caution.

Lum

skiddlydiddly wrote: »

I wouldn't say a taxi driver was incompetant, they just spend so much time on the road that some of them choose to ignore things like right of way as it just slows them down and time is money for them.Technicly, a taxi driver should be better than your average driver skillwise but decision making wise it can be a different story.

So not incompetent, just reckless then?

Yeah, I'd agree with that.

Tilt

I wonder if the Highways Agency would be interested in this?

27col

If it says Give Way to Oncoming Traffic the that's what you should have done. If the taxi turned left out of the side road then he became oncoming traffic. I don't see what the problem was.

Tilt

27col wrote: »

If it says Give Way to Oncoming Traffic the that's what you should have done. If the taxi turned left out of the side road then he became oncoming traffic. I don't see what the problem was.

Think about it! The taxi (or any other vehicle for that matter) is approaching the junction and intends to turn left... so which way is the driver looking? The OP is driving along the main road approaches 'give way' obstruction and sees there is no oncomming traffic comming towards him so moves out to go round the obstruction. Taxi also sees that there is no traffic approaching from his left (same view of the OP) so turns out onto the main road in direct conflict with the OP due to the close proximity of the the junction to the keep left obstruction. In my opinion the side road should either be a 'no left turn' or the 'keep left' obstruction shoul be moved or scrapped all together.

DaveF327

boyse7en wrote: »

The side road the Taxi came out of has no indication that driver's should give way, or that they are joining a 'main' road. There are no road markings, give way or Stop signs evident.

So the next time I see you driving along any road in a straight line, is it ok if I pull out in front of you and make you slam on? After all, I couldn't see any lines

There doesn't need to be marked lines to illustrate the need to give way. I refer you to page 169 of Driving: The essential skills, an official DSA publication.