The Singular Exception: The Right Turn Protocol
When a Brief Stop is Understood (and Permitted!)
Now, for the one crucial departure from the "do not stop" mantra, and it involves those turning right. If you’re making a right turn, and your progress is halted by oncoming traffic or by other vehicles also waiting to turn right, then and only then are you allowed to stop within the confines of the box junction. This is a vital distinction, and one that frequently leads to head-scratching moments for many drivers.
Even with this allowance, the core spirit of the rule persists: only enter the box junction if your intended exit — beyond the stream of oncoming vehicles or other turning cars — is unequivocally clear. Your brief pause inside the box is solely for the purpose of allowing opposing traffic or other right-turning vehicles to clear your path. You cannot, under any circumstances, stop because the road you wish to enter is itself clogged with stationary traffic.
Consider it a dedicated waiting zone specifically for right turns. You glide in, wait for that perfect gap in the oncoming flow, and then gracefully complete your manoeuvre. However, if your destination road is completely jammed, despite a clear path for your turn, you must still remain outside the box junction. It’s a subtle but significant difference that can catch out even the most experienced drivers.
So, before you venture into that yellow grid to make your right turn, take a quick mental inventory: Is my path truly clear *after* I've navigated the oncoming traffic? If your internal answer is a confident "yes," then proceed with a mindful ease. If there's any doubt, it's always wisest to wait patiently just beyond the box's boundary.