Safe Speed Forums

Question:

If I'm approaching a Y junction, where I'm heading down one of the arms of the Y, and have to give way, how should I indicate?

Example

I approach around the long curve from Hogstock, then join the road to Tarrant Rawston, giving way at this point. To complicate matters here, there is a large layby to the left of the junction.

If I indicate right (treating it as a slip road), you could assume I'm going to turn right (a virtual u turn), though most people that bother to indicate seem to do so.

If I indicate left, you might think I'm pulling in to the layby.

As not indicating gives me a funny turn, I tend to BRIEFLY indicate left.

Any thoughts about this situation, and the more general point about indicating at acutely-angled T junctions?

i'd expect your road position to make it clear which way you intend to go.

its effectively a t-junction so i can't see any reason you'd want to indicate right.

so i would probably keep left, if its clear go, no one has lost out.
if there is traffic coming that forces you to stop i'd probably pop the indicator on as you do so, so that anyone coming behind is clear of your intentions (without the benefit of having seen your position on approach).

if indicating earlier maybe make sure you're a good half way past the layby before doing so.

just my thoughts.

The generic answer depends on the needs of the person that you are giving your signal to.

Many advanced driving organisations recommend a 'planned signalling' approach which involves identifying road users who might benefit from the signal given.

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Paul Smith
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I would've said that in the situation I described, indicating right is always misleading, but seems to be very popular. To me it's a choice between indicating left and (heaven forfend!) not indicating.

It's funny coming down to this junction in a line of cars, some indicating left, some right, and some not bothering - all thinking they're right

If your position on the road makes it obvious where you are going then there is not a problem with not indicating.

From your description to indicate would be the greater of two evils due to the possibility of causing confusion.

From my days as a navigator, on a 1:50000 OS map, my instruction travelling this 'yellow' would have been "Bear left to The Cliff" or "Avoid left for Hogstock", intimating a left indication for the left fork and no indication for 'straight-on'. It would also depend on the road markings. Conversely, wind down your window and shout "Jump or die!" and plough on regardless...

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Aquila



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