turn lane/filter lane rules.

[C1REX]

Hi,

I'm quite confused about the rules of filter lanes/turn lanes to the point I'm not sure what is that exactly.


For example:
https://goo.gl/maps/FgMPR

There are two lanes with road signs. Left line with an arrow to go straight or left. Right hand line with an arrow to turn right.


Is it legal to go straight from the right hand line?

I've fought I can't but some people told me otherwise.

Can you explain this to me, please?
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[c_dug]

Yes unless there are arrows or signs indicating otherwise.
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[chris-red]

[c_dug]

Actually having jumped that google map back a couple of times, no in this instance it is right turn only in the right lane.
____________________
I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[stinkwheel]

I can't find a specific rule about it but it ought to be pretty obvious to any reasonably competant driver that a lane with a right hand arrow is right turn only and one with a straight and left arrow is for straight ahead and left.

I suspect going straight ahead at a right turn arrow would be similar to filtering. It's not specifically illegal so if done in a safe and controlled manner, nobody would object. If you cause a conflict by doing so, expect to be left open for a charge for driving without due care.

Closest rule I can come across, which would definately apply to the example you gave is rule 177 in the highway code.

[c_dug]

https://i235.photobucket.com/albums/ee81/paddy2007dug/rightturnonly_zps44135ccf.png

Much clearer from here, the arrows show what is correct and what is not.
____________________
I am a bellend, I am a man of constant sorrow, I am a gummy bear, I am a rock.

[chris-red]

Wouldn't it fall under not following road signs/markings?
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[C1REX]

I was 100% sure that I can't use right hand line but few people told me otherwise. Including an advanced instructor (unless I misunderstood that message).

There is no green filter arrow. Just normal green light.
Somebody told me that without green filter lane there is no need to follow the sign. There could be a car covering the sign as well.

I'm just confused now.
____________________
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[G]

[C1REX]

[C1REX]

Some answers from IAM forum:

[soforene]

[C1REX]

[Pete.]

Legal or not, I regularly use the right filter lane to go straight ahead on my bike if the ahead arrow is green. There's a poxy bit of road at Waterloo where if there's more than a handful of cars turning right the ahead lane can be empty but you can't get into it because it's fed from a yellow-line bus lane. The only way to avoid waiting several light changes is to filter along the off-side of the right turn filter lane and hope you get across near the front.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Richy CB1000]

Arrows on their own are "appropriate" or "advice" indicators, if they are with words "Turn Left" etc... then mandatory.

So legally there is nothing to stop you using say a right lane to go straight ahead at the junction you show.

However, other drivers are also following the "appropriate" lane markers, there to help everyone (?) so may not be expecting you to go straight on which could obviously be a tad dangerous at certain times.

As above you could find yourself in plod trouble due to a "careless driving" charge if anything happened.

However careless driving states (cut n pasted) from a pepipoo case

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"If a person drives a mechanically propelled vehicle on a road or other public place without due care and attention, or without reasonable consideration for other persons using the road or place, he is guilty of an offence", contrary to Section 3 RTA.

Contravening traffic regulations can be very relevant but is not always conclusive, It really depends and can be open to opinion. i.e. breaching traffic regulations does not always amount to sufficient evidence in itself of careless driving.

Also, In order to prove that a driver drove inconsiderately it must be shown that some other person using the road was actually inconvenienced (Dilks v Bowman-Shaw 1981)

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In this case it was dropped due to no public interest as plod had just charged a guy going straight ahead from a left lane with a left arrow appropriate marker but not mandatory turn left written on the road, no one was effected and no accident occurred.

I wonder if it had gone through to hearing whether it would have stuck, the "has to be inconvenienced" bit may have been applied as people waiting in the queue in the appropriate lane may have been seen to be inconvenienced.

My own opinion I wouldn't do it as you're opening yourself up to potential hassle.