Road Rules - Can Drivers Turn Right At The lights? (Brisbane)

urzu on 11/06/2017 - 20:28
Last edited 24/06/2017 - 18:59 by 1 other user

Hello Ozbargain,

There is an intersection near where I live that often leaves me confused.

The area is Brisbane, Annerley Road is quite a busy road at times. Occasionally cars travelling towards the city along Annerley Road will stop traffic at the traffic light to turn right on Peter Doherty street. Is this legal?

The lights don't have green arrows and usually, I would assume it is legal. In this case however, both lanes approaching the traffic lights are also painted with arrows facing forward on the ground.

There is a lane further up (you can see in the first photo) which allows you to turn onto Peter Doherty Street and that one has a traffic light with an arrow for turning.

Can we turn right onto Peter Doherty Street from Annerley Road travelling northbound?

Vote!

Photo of intersection:

EDIT 24/6: Thanks to all. I reported the issue to council a few weeks ago and noticed today No Right Turn signs had been installed!

Poll Options

  • 3
    It is legal
  • 40
    It is illegal
Automotive

Comments

  • shapers on 11/06/2017 - 20:31
    +1

    edit

    • urzu on 11/06/2017 - 20:32
      +1

      Thanks. That's a fair point. But why would there be arrows painted there specifically pointing forward, and not a split straight/turn arrow?

      • shapers on 11/06/2017 - 20:33

        I was actually looking at the wrong side haha oops, id say its illegal

        • urzu on 11/06/2017 - 20:38
          +1

          My bad: I'd initially written 'turn left' instead of right and edited while you posted your first reply.

  • Forenti on 11/06/2017 - 21:06

    That's actually a tough one, I'm quite torn. On one hand there's no sign specifically saying you can't, but then those arrows make it pretty clear to go straight ahead and the look of the intersection in general makes it look like you're not meant to :S

    • Forenti on 11/06/2017 - 21:16
      +4

      Just looked it up, couldn't resist.

      Queensland Manual of uniform traffic control devices (MUTCD) Part 2, Section 5.5.2.3:
      'Intersection pavement arrows give a positive indication of the paths vehicles must follow at intersections. They are legally enforceable.'

      Seems to be illegal based off that.

  • nocure on 11/06/2017 - 21:12
    +2

    5.5.2.3 Intersection arrows
    Intersection pavement arrows give a positive indication of the paths vehicles must follow at
    intersections. They are legally enforceable. The choice of and need for intersection pavement arrow
    markings shall be determined as set out in Figure 5.9. This is based on the following requirements:
    a) Where all the manoeuvres that are permitted by traffic legislation are to be allowed from a
    marked traffic lane, arrow markings need not be provided.
    b) If all the manoeuvres that are permitted by traffic legislation are not to be allowed from a
    marked traffic lane, those manoeuvres which are to be allowed shall be marked with
    pavement arrows.
    c) Where any arrow is required in a lane, all manoeuvres that are to be permitted from that
    lane shall be marked with pavement arrows.
    d) Notwithstanding the provisions in Item (a) where it is considered desirable for safety or
    other considerations to mark arrows indicating the legally permitted manoeuvres from that
    lane, e.g. to emphasize that a turn is not permitted from a lane adjacent to an exclusive
    right turn lane by marking with a straight ahead arrow, these arrow markings may be
    provided. However, such markings should be restricted to those found to be necessary after
    observance of performance in the field.

    • urzu on 11/06/2017 - 21:23
      +1

      Omg thanks. That settles the situation quite clearly. Arrows on the pavement take precedent and hence, turning right at this intersection is illegal it appears.

  • Cheapo333 on 11/06/2017 - 21:26
    +6

    The road authority should put a no right turn sign to avoid confusion.

    • urzu on 11/06/2017 - 21:27

      How does one go about suggesting such an amendment?

      • endotherm on 11/06/2017 - 21:49

        You could contact the local council in the first instance, they can escalate the request if they are unable to do anything about it. I'd be surprised if there isn't a no turn sign there already, perhaps it has been damaged or stolen? Arrows painted on the road are enforceable as a traffic control sign and carry the same weight as say a stop sign would.

  • dogboy on 12/06/2017 - 07:46

    I don't understand where the confusion lies. It seems very clear that this is illegal based on the road markings. They need to make it a lot harder for people to get licenses in this country as no one seems to understand the rules or have any driver etiquette.

    • urzu on 12/06/2017 - 08:15

      I got confused after witnessing so many people taking the turn there rather than driving 50 Meyers further down to legally enter Peter Doherty street. Seeing so many people break the rules in one spot makes you doubt yourself.

    • ThirdRonnie on 12/06/2017 - 09:53
      +4

      I don't understand where the confusion lies. It seems very clear that this is illegal based on the road markings

      The confusion lies with the road markings being invisible during busy periods, due to being covered up by vehicles. Pavement markings should not be permitted to be the sole means of informing drivers of a requirement such as this. There should be a "no right turn" sign here. The road designers probably thought the traffic island on the other side of the intersection was good enough, but it's not. Bureaucratic brainlessness at its best.

  • theHMASfriendship on 12/06/2017 - 08:02

    Looks pretty clear that a no right hand turn sign should have been there. Whether it was taken down by someone, or not put up…

    Maybe report here? https://www.brisbane.qld.gov.au/about-council/contact-counci…

  • BigBirdy on 12/06/2017 - 08:50

    Road markings make it clear it's no turns; the arrows, the lack of a turning guide line, and the shape of the median strip. With the long turn lane just after the intersection, it's clear what the traffic designers want you to do. A No Right Turn sign is redundant, but clearly needed (better still, a camera as most turners probably know they're at fault)

    • [Deactivated] on 12/06/2017 - 10:05
      +1

      You can't see the road lines when it is busy as cars are stopped over them. Anyone unfamiliar with the area would not have a clue.

  • geek001 on 12/06/2017 - 09:52

    I think the people who do turn right are in denial, I bet some of them know that turning turn right may be illegal at the back of their minds, but choose to do so because of the lack of a "no right turn" sign.

  • whooah1979 on 12/06/2017 - 10:59

    https://tinyurl.com/y9mbu32z
    this is what it looked like ten years ago. it's strange that the planners didn't bother putting up signs when they marked the roads.

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