Is it legal for a driver who is not making a right turn, but is going forward or left, to use lane 1 when at an intersection with a flashing green light?
The purpose of the flashing green traffic light is to allow drivers who want to turn right to enter the intersection even if the main traffic light is red.
These flashing traffic lights are adjacent to the main ones and, in theory, are meant to streamline traffic.
What is the flashing green light rule?
The flashing green light is generally fitted to allow a right turn to be made. However, on some one-way streets, they may also allow left turns.
Basically, the green arrow or the one located under the flashing lamp indicates the direction in which the turn is allowed.
The flashing green traffic light rule is quite simple.
You are allowed to enter the intersection if you are turning right or left, after giving priority to pedestrians and other vehicles.
„When a three-color traffic light has an additional flashing green light, mounted at the same level as the normal green light of the traffic light, in the form of a green arrow on a black background with the tip pointing to the right, its illumination signifies permission for vehicles to proceed on their way in the direction indicated by the arrow, regardless of the color of the electric traffic light, provided priority is given to vehicles and pedestrians who have the right of way”, it is specified in Art. 59 (4) of the traffic law.
Unfortunately, there are quite a few drivers who use this lane to move forward.
Is it legal to use the “flashing green” lane if you are not turning right?
In general, in the case of the flashing green traffic light on the right we can encounter two situations.
The first situation is where the road has two lanes, one for turning right and one for going forward. In such cases, the road marking indicates, most of the time, the mandatory directions.
Thus, if lane 1 is marked with the right arrow symbol, it means that only those who will turn right have the right to travel on it. And those who go forward or to the left must travel in lane 2.
But, there are situations where the lane is not marked at all or has an arrow forward and to the right. Which means all drivers can use it, regardless of which direction they are going.
The same is true for single-lane roads. Those going forward cannot get out of the way of those going right.
In such situations, it is legal to use the “flashing green” lane, even if you are not turning right.
Fine for those who do not follow the right flashing traffic light rule
Those who do not follow the right-flashing traffic light rule are breaking the law.
„It constitutes a misdemeanor and is sanctioned with 2 fine points (…) failure to comply with the rules regarding changing the traffic lane or the direction of travel“, it is stipulated in the Highway Code.
For this traffic offense the fine is 330 lei.
The penalty can be applied to drivers who irregularly use the right-hand turn lane. That is, those who continue moving forward or to the left, although the lane is exclusively for right turns.
Source: www.promotor.ro
