Give way when turning left?

[DaveReading]

Interesting feature on this morning's BBC Breakfast about a proposal by British Cycling (which I can't find any trace of on their website) to change/simplify the rule(s) on turning left so that the presumption would be that all road users are prepared to give way.

A somewhat confusing explanation by Chris Boardman didn't really shed much light on the proposal.

Can anyone supply a link to a definitive statement by BC ?

 

[Haitch]

https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/c...ian-groups-in-call-for-junction-rule-change-0

 

[DaveReading]

Thanks for that.

BC's 119 page document makes everything clear.
https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/z...rner_-_Priority_changes_at_junctions_2016.pdf

I would sign the petition, if their link to it worked: http://po.st/webTTC

 

[jonny jeez]

Traffic in London would become gridlock during the rush hour if left turn vehicles (cyclist inc) had to give way to peds crossing.

Its a constant stream from 7.00 to about 10.00 and is hard already to make it around a left turn as peds are oblivious to traffic, sometimes stepping out into the side of you as you are already turning (generally heads down, engaged in phone, following the stream of peds in front)

Is this want this change suggests?

 

[DaveReading]

Traffic in London would become gridlock during the rush hour if left turn vehicles (cyclist inc) had to give way to peds crossing.

They already do have to give way to pedestrians who have started to cross - that's been in the Highway Code for years.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/using-the-road-159-to-203

 

[Drago]

Even if they haven't started to cross they still have to give way if possible on the basis that it's not lawful to deliberately mow down peds.

 

[andrew_s]

Traffic turning left already has to give way to pedestrians

You should...
watch out for pedestrians crossing a road into which you are turning. If they have started to cross they have priority, so give way

Given the propensity of motorists not to indicate until they have started to turn the steering wheel (if then), it's not surprising that peds just walk out.
I generally cross a junction if the car isn't indicating and isn't so close/so fast that it wouldn't be able to stop. I view it as education, especially just outside work where the one-way splits right and left with no road markings.

 

[jay clock]

Chris Boardman is a great guy who I really respect but he was clear as mud as to what was being proposed

 

[snorri]

Traffic in London would become gridlock during the rush hour if left turn vehicles (cyclist inc) had to give way to peds crossing.

Would that be altogether bad?
It could bring forward the introduction of motor traffic reduction measures making towns and cities more pleasant places in which to live and work.

 

[Markymark]

Traffic in London would become gridlock during the rush hour if left turn vehicles (cyclist inc) had to give way to peds crossing.

Its a constant stream from 7.00 to about 10.00 and is hard already to make it around a left turn as peds are oblivious to traffic, sometimes stepping out into the side of you as you are already turning (generally heads down, engaged in phone, following the stream of peds in front)

Is this want this change suggests?

Yes we can't possibly have the massively greater number and more vulnerable of pedestrians slowing down the cars and bikes can we?

 

[psmiffy]

British Cycling's proposal would mean drivers turning left would have to give way to a cyclist going straight ahead on the passenger side of their vehicle.

??? ive been cycling for quite a long while and didnt know that turning traffic had the right of way - at what point does the turning traffic have the right of way

 

[martint235]

I took it as if there is a cycle lane/bus lane, then cars turning left from the main carriageway should give way to traffic in that lane.

If there is so much confusion on here about what is being proposed, it just shows how confusing the existing rules are.

 

[martint235]

??? ive been cycling for quite a long while and didnt know that turning traffic had the right of way - at what point does the turning traffic have the right of way

It's Priority not right of way. And I think all BC are looking to do is simplify and codify the rules at junctions.

 

[jonny jeez]

Would that be altogether bad?
It could bring forward the introduction of motor traffic reduction measures making towns and cities more pleasant places in which to live and work.

True and a good point but I am thinking more of my progress, especially when cycling. I can see angry peds claiming their right to step out in front of me after I have turned, followed by a few dozen more who see it as my responsibility to stop and let them cross.

 

[martint235]

True and a good point but I am thinking more of my progress, especially when cycling. I can see angry peds claiming their right to step out in front of me after I have turned, followed by a few dozen more who see it as my responsibility to stop and let them cross.

Isn't it?