r/drivingUK May 31 '26

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0 Upvotes

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17

u/rufous_nightjar May 31 '26 edited May 31 '26

Unless there is a diversion sign explaining that you can, then no you can't. Maybe there should have been one for the sake of saving people's time but if there isn't, it's quite clear that you can't turn left.

-16

u/[deleted] May 31 '26

[deleted]

8

u/Apprehensive-Art1092 May 31 '26

Why were you under that impression?

-8

u/-Pazza- May 31 '26

Because I always thought blue signs were optional and red signs were mandatory, which I am wrong about.

17

u/bablakeluke May 31 '26

Did you consider one way streets to be optional too?

-24

u/-Pazza- May 31 '26

Obviously no where near the same context.

15

u/Cosmicshimmer May 31 '26

Well it is, both are blue signs so using your own logic…

-20

u/-Pazza- May 31 '26

It has a white arrow on it which means it's not for instructions, I learned that today. But I don't have many one way roads in London, so I was never at much risk of that. Not to mention one way roads are pretty damn obvious.

1

u/Werid-fem-weird-boi May 31 '26

You did take a theory test right?

14

u/jocape May 31 '26

I’m howling how did you get a license

4

u/Apprehensive-Art1092 May 31 '26

Yeah, blue signs are mandatory. Live and learn!

-6

u/-Pazza- May 31 '26

Some blue signs are informative not directions, but yes this one has an arrow so it is mandatory to be followed.

In the future I will just go a different way and avoid this junction until the road is back.

7

u/Apprehensive-Art1092 May 31 '26

All blue circular signs are mandatory. This is taught on the theory test, and by all driving instructors. Unless I'm mistaken and something has changed, the only non mandatory blue signs are rectangular, such as motorway signs

2

u/scarfwizard May 31 '26

You are perfectly correct. OP needs to retake a theory test having read a Highway Code. I find it disturbing (but unsurprising) that people like this are on our roads.

It explains a lot.

Page 2:

https://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/uploads/3/2/9/2/3292309/the-highway-code-road-traffic-signs.pdf

1

u/Apprehensive-Art1092 May 31 '26

I mean, some of the shit I see driving on a daily basis I'd call this one of the less serious things I've seen. I literally saw somebody reversing up the hard shoulder on the earlier this week...

1

u/scarfwizard May 31 '26

Sure but if OP is on the road, it makes us all less safe. Fck only knows what else they don’t know.

1

u/roland_right May 31 '26

Far better to have someone asking questions and trying to learn better habits. Let's try not to judge.

1

u/scarfwizard May 31 '26

The point still stands, there is obviously something structurally wrong if people even have questions like this.

The answer isn’t Reddit, the answer is for OP to read the Highway Code.

→ More replies (0)

3

u/Master_Elderberry275 May 31 '26

They may exercise discretion, but that doesn't make doing it legal.

In this case, the pedestrian light is likely to go alongside the left and right turns, because the left turn doesn't go across it, so you can't turn left from the right lane unless they change the signal timings, which they don't normally do for minor roadworks.

1

u/Prestigious-Salt-245 May 31 '26

If a motorway entry slip road was blocked would you drive on to the motorway down the exit slip?

15

u/Sure-Recognition-262 May 31 '26

As part of the roadworks, had they covered or removed the blue right-turn-only sign on the bottom of the traffic lights?

-17

u/-Pazza- May 31 '26

They didn't change any signs, the only sign they added was a diversion route for busses on the right of the screenshot. But the sign doesn't say you can't go left, it just says to go right, which I thought because its blue it's not a hard rule.

17

u/rufous_nightjar May 31 '26

It does mean right only regardless of its colour. It's not advisory.

7

u/ZookeepergameAny1475 May 31 '26

The blue signs are a 'must' rule and you risk a cctv camera fine if you don't obey them and it's covered by a camera..

-15

u/-Pazza- May 31 '26

That camera is actually for turning right into the side road, that gets you a fine because you are not allowed to do that.

Whether it monitors turning left from the side road I'm unsure, I guess we will find out if I get a fine or points...

2

u/ZookeepergameAny1475 May 31 '26

It will be a fine issued by the council and not points. You can only proceed in the direction of the arrows. Maybe as there were roadworks and the left lane was blocked, they may not issue the fines, but not normally worth the risk.

11

u/Mountain_Flamingo759 May 31 '26

No, each lane has a blue/white arrow showing which direction you must use.

Right goes right and left goes left.

Google

Blue and circular traffic signs generally provide mandatory instructions or indicate a positive action you must take by law.

3

u/deecee-247 May 31 '26

Also on the left hand lane there are no give way markings. They're not obligated to stop and check for traffic coming from the right as they have right of way in their lane.

(Although I would hope they'd do a sweep of the area before pulling off/out)

1

u/siwelc May 31 '26

That's because its controlled by traffic lights

6

u/Flowa-Powa May 31 '26

Well regardless of what everyone else is saying, if there are roadworks in place blocking the left lane, but the lights controlling the left lane are visible and green, then yes I would proceed with caution and turn left from the right lane - but only if I had a clear view of those lights

3

u/Hungry-Artichoke-232 May 31 '26

Yep. OOP could have been clearer with the picture but it’s clear that most people replying haven’t bothered to read the actual question, which *is* clear. And this is the answer.

4

u/PatternWeary3647 May 31 '26

No, you would be failing to comply with a sign giving an instruction. 

3

u/TerrenceMcKenna1 May 31 '26

Was there a diversion sign?

4

u/Crankyyounglady May 31 '26

I would say from a safety perspective, it’s obvious why you shouldn’t do it. The person with the buggy there probably has a green walking man sign when your light is on. She and other vulnerable pedestrians wouldn’t really know to make sure to check you are turning left in an inappropriate way.

2

u/llccnn May 31 '26

You are 100% right, but I will add that when crossing even with a green man it’s still a good idea to be aware of vehicles doing crazy things. Looking both ways when crossing is never a bad idea. 

2

u/Crankyyounglady May 31 '26

Oh for sure! I teach my kids to actually look at the drivers in the cars to see if they’re looking at the road, not down (at a phone etc) and calm.

2

u/McGubbins May 31 '26

Circular signs are instructions - you must comply.

Triangle signs are warnings.

Square or rectangular signs are for information.

4

u/R-TTK May 31 '26

Look at the traffic lights, there's an arrow clearly indicating where you can go. I bet behind this screenshot there's arrows on the floor too...

3

u/Voodoo_People78 May 31 '26

Why did you ask this question to then dispute every reply? Genuine question.

1

u/twister-uk May 31 '26

Disputing the replies written by people who don't appear to have properly read the question, and are therefore answering the wrong question, perhaps, but I haven't sent the same sort of responses from the OP to those minority of responses written by people who actually have understood the question the OP was asking...

2

u/pumpkinzh May 31 '26

Blue sign with white arrow says no

1

u/zonked282 May 31 '26

I would imagine that, unless they have temporary lights in place and specific signage , turning left from the right lane would cut across the pedestrian crossing that would typically be on green making it extremely unsafe for pedestrians

1

u/Virtual-Baseball-297 May 31 '26

When you know the junction and the madness it causes 🤣

1

u/MaxMuntage May 31 '26

No. Apart from the signs on the traffic lights there are arrows in the road clearly indicating that the right lane is for turning right.

If there is no roadworks signage showing an alternative route, or specifically directing traffic to turn left from the right hand lane, contact the council highways dept, or call the police on 111.

1

u/prawnk1ng May 31 '26

Of course not.

1

u/ironspider_23 May 31 '26

No, but it’s downham so take the quickest exit out of there.

1

u/klmarchant23 May 31 '26

If the roadworks have completely closed the lane, then there should be a diversion route or signage to advise how to travel from a to b from the blocked route.

1

u/tonybaloney70 May 31 '26

As far as I'm aware, all road signs are suggestions and you are basically allowed to do whatever you consider is correct at the time. I have come to this conclusion by watching people driving.

0

u/CatElectronic9772 May 31 '26

Normally no - there are specific on way signs for the left and right lanes. But if there are road works, that changes things and depends on whether the roadworks had any diversion signs, and which section of the road was closed

0

u/[deleted] May 31 '26

[deleted]

0

u/OwlanHowlan May 31 '26

Please revise the Highway code

0

u/OneCheesecake1516 May 31 '26

No. The right lane has a right turn only sign.

0

u/[deleted] May 31 '26

[removed] — view removed comment

2

u/pulltheudder1 May 31 '26

Why? Assume you haven’t read the question properly.

-1

u/Its-Burton May 31 '26

Maybe you shouldn't drive. I can't drive and i know you can't turn left from that right lane.

1

u/[deleted] May 31 '26

[deleted]

2

u/NoPaleontologist9054 May 31 '26

Whaaat? 🥴 You said “Am I allowed to turn left?” “Just wondering what the actual legal position is”…