a cousin of mine
was taking me for a ride in her car, having just passed her driving test. driving along, we were discussing how annoying the traffic lights had been so far(we'd hit red lights all the way). "box junctions aren't so bad," she says, "at least you can stop in a box junction."
eh?
this is the same person who has had me gripping the dashboard in terror, as she barrels down the motorway at 75mph, one hand on the wheel, her head and her other hand in the glove compartment, looking for her favourite c.d.
we're going to the lake district tomorrow. if i don't post any more, you'll know why.
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Fri 19 Mar 2010, 18:42, 8 replies)

I'm zipping up my anorak right now but...
You can stop in a box junction. Specifically, if you are turning right and oncoming traffic is preventing you doing so you should be in the box. This is taken so seriously you can fail your driving test (I think cos it holds up other people) for not doing so - and my bro did. Its a major fault don't cha know.
Well this paint won't dry itself.....
(willydoc, Fri 19 Mar 2010, 18:54, closed)

she wasn't talking about turning
she meant that, instead of stopping at the lights, you could go forward and stop in the junction instead. she went on to say that, if the car broke down in the junction, it was fine to leave it there, not push it to the side. she said the other drivers would understand
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Fri 19 Mar 2010, 18:59, closed)

I believe this will be the first of many times
that I will be slapping my forehead in disbelief at some of the entries in this QOTW
( Snappyuk gets BIGGER with free sample., Fri 19 Mar 2010, 19:07, closed)

Some Box junctions
have a little path through them to allow you to do this.

I was always told, 'do not enter a box junction unless you exit is clear.
( Mrs Entity is in hiding., Sat 20 Mar 2010, 13:21, closed)

Seems a bit harsh to fail him for that.
I'm always wary of following another car into a box junction because even if their right turn is blocked by oncoming traffic, sometimes the exit lane is full too, or can become filled by oncoming traffic turning left while you're waiting. In that instance you can end up stuck in there when the lights change which makes you Very Unpopular and/or subject to being flashed by enforcement cameras. It's worth doing as Mrs Entity says and making sure your exit is free, rather than just cheerfully cruising up; erring on the side of caution rarely seems to be a bad idea when driving.

Then again, it's more than 20 years since I took my driving test, so my standards might be in tatters by now.
(richardm, Tue 23 Mar 2010, 9:31, closed)

I now see the danger of her owning the keys to a 1 tonne of metal that can move at speed. Much forehead slapping here. Best of luck!
(willydoc, Sat 20 Mar 2010, 9:21, closed)

she cancelled
thank fuck
( Smash Monkey lowering the tone of the whole internet, Sat 20 Mar 2010, 21:53, closed)

Eii GADS!!!! She's not blonde living in the west end of Glasgow? Try driving a minibus 6pm on a friday night down Byres Rd, and you get incandecent with rage. . .
(Spiked_Rycroft The Prodigal Son, Sun 21 Mar 2010, 18:51, closed)