Learning points:
1. If you are turning right at lights then assume that there will be on-coming traffic until you can see that it’s clear. If the view is blocked by other traffic then creep carefully to get a better view. The driver of the black car that turned right probably saw a lot of empty road so thought that it was clear and committed to going but unfortunately we were exactly in the blind spot behind the red car, so it is an understandable error. Bikes can be harder to spot and could fit through narrower gaps so use an attitude of ‘There’s always traffic just out of view until you see that it’s clear’ and creep forwards until you can see completely past any obstruction.
2. Drive at a speed where you can cover other people’s mistakes. From the camera point of view we know that several cars were approaching and then the view is obstructed briefly as we go to pass the other learner in the red car. Our speed is low enough that we can stop in little more than 1 car length and well before reaching the path of the black car. We don’t get angry at the other driver because we all just need to cover each others’ errors while trying to minimise our own. We then consider moving off as we are just past the white lines so the red light does not apply to us. The relatively new learner is not ready to clear the junction as quickly as the red car so we then decide that it’s safer to wait. Other vehicles would be able to pass through the junction, and there were no pedestrians visible that might want to cross where we were stopped.
3. The driver of the black car that enters the junction from our left deliberately moved off slowly as he saw the incident and was willing to allow us to clear the junction. Well done and thanks! A green light means go forward if you can clear the junction safely (Highway Code 176), so allow other road users to clear the junction.
4. The red car shows a good waiting position beyond, and correctly clearing the junction as soon as it is safe to do so, being careful of the oncoming car through the amber light. Again the red light did not apply to them as they were beyond the white lines.
If you want driving lessons around Edinburgh & Lothians then please contact me via https://www.facebook.com/SimonBatesAADrivingInstructor?ref=hl
PS. The date stamp on the video is incorrect!
Post time: Jun-18-2017