Crossroads and box junctions

By the end of this topic you can

• You can work out priority at marked and unmarked crossroads.
• You can turn right at a crossroads when an oncoming vehicle is also turning right.
• You can choose between passing offside to offside and nearside to nearside.
• You can decide whether you are allowed to enter a yellow box junction.
• You can spot when a box junction exception applies to a right turn.

What you need to know and understand

• At a crossroads, give way and stop markings show which road must wait.
• At an unmarked crossroads nobody has priority, so approach slowly and be ready to stop.
• Turning right offside to offside (passing behind the other car) is generally the safer method.
• Turning nearside to nearside (passing in front of each other) can block your view of oncoming traffic.
• You must not enter a yellow box junction unless your exit road or lane is clear.
• You may enter a box and wait if you are turning right and are only stopped by oncoming traffic or other vehicles waiting to turn right.
• At signal-controlled roundabouts, do not enter a box unless you can cross it completely without stopping.

Who goes first at a crossroads

On a marked crossroads, the road with the give way or stop lines waits for the main road. If you are on the main road, still watch for drivers who misjudge the markings and pull out.

Unmarked crossroads are common on housing estates and quiet back streets. No road has priority. Slow down, look in every direction, and be prepared to stop. Do not assume the other driver will wait for you. Making eye contact can help, but never rely on it.

Two cars turning right: offside or nearside

When you and an oncoming driver both want to turn right at a crossroads, you can pass each other in one of two ways. The markings, the layout or the other driver's position often decide it for you.

• Offside to offside: each car passes around the back of the other, right side facing right side. You can see the oncoming road past the other car, so this is usually safer.
• Nearside to nearside: each car turns in front of the other, left side facing left side. The other car blocks your view of oncoming traffic, so take extra care, and creep forward if needed.
• Some junctions have road markings that make you turn nearside to nearside. Follow them.

Yellow box junctions

In some areas box junctions are enforced by camera, so blocking one can lead to a penalty charge as well as a traffic jam.

1. As you approach, look beyond the box to your exit road or lane.
2. If there is not enough space for your whole car on the far side, stop before the box and wait.
3. Only enter when your exit is clear, even if your traffic light is green.
4. If you are turning right and your exit is clear, you may wait in the box for a gap in oncoming traffic or behind other right-turners.

Common mistakes

• Entering a box because the light is green, then getting stuck. Check your exit first.
• Treating an unmarked crossroads like a main road. Slow down and be ready to stop.
• Turning nearside to nearside without checking past the other car. Creep and look.
• Waiting in a box to go straight on or left. Only right-turners blocked by oncoming traffic may wait.
• Ignoring pedestrians crossing the road you turn into. Give way to them.

Test yourself: Crossroads and box junctions

Answer each question, then read the explanation. Questions come in a random order each time.

Go deeper

• Junction Rules UK