2 Cars Colliding at an amber light (car turning right into oncoming traffic)?

[Trevor 57]

Originally Posted by tweeked

It is not "blocked" if the section of road that you are continuing on to or turning into is clear. This rule is designed to stop cars blocking an intersection AFTER the signals have changed. This does not happen when waiting to turn right, as you will clear the intersection safely when the lights change (only if the oncoming traffic doesnt race the amber!!). It would apply if the road to the right was blocked with stationary traffic right back to your current intersection.

In fact the law is quite clear about this, section 61 in the Victorian Road Rules 2009 that talks about this

61 Proceeding when traffic lights or arrows at an intersection change to yellow or red
(1) This rule applies to -
(5) If the traffic lights or traffic arrows (as the case may be) change to yellow or red while the driver is stopped and the driver has entered the intersection, the driver must leave the intersection as soon as the driver can do so safely.

[Trevor 57]

The bloke turning right is in the wrong, bottom line you are not to turn right at an intersection until all is clear, regardless or not of the colour of the traffic lights.

62 Giving way when turning at an intersection with traffic lights
(1) A driver turning at an intersection with traffic lights must give way to⎯
(c) if the driver is turning right—any oncoming vehicle that is going straight ahead or turning left at the intersection (except a vehicle turning left using a slip lane).

There is nothing there about the colour of the lights



I know it sounds odd, but the Police will support my argument.

I used to be a driving instructor in Victoria, but have conducted driver training all over Australia and in New Zealand

[Trevor 57]

On the point of 'running' orange lights, the OP in his first post siad he made an error of judgement, we will leave that as it, he knows he did the wrong thing.

One thing that everyone needs to know is that a green light does not mean you have the right of way, the law is quite clear about intersections, you are requried to enter an intersection at such a speed that will enable you to stop (regardless of colour)

From the Road Rules Dictionary (at the rear)

give way, for a driver or pedestrian, means—

(b) in any other case—slow down and, if necessary, stop to avoid a collision;

[LTDHO]

Furthermore, I understand each person has their interpretation of law/rules. Hence there are threads like this on automotive forums. IMO these are great, it allows people to discuss rules and bring more to the surface that most would not know. Personally I’d like to see more discussions and it made a sticky.