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Encurez

I have seen it a few times now drivers turning left from a straight through only lane. I understand there is a road user rule that prohibits any manoeuvre in that lane apart from the painted arrow or a sign showing what the lanes are for. The scenario is who will be at fault in the below if an accident was to occur.

Approaching a traffic signal controlled four way intersection, there is a dedicated left turn lane (facing a give way sign) there is also two other lanes one with an arrow for straight through the other with an arrow for right turning. There is an island separating the left turn lane from the other lanes. Light goes green for straight through and right turning traffic. Drivers facing the left turn lane proceed to turn left after making sure the road they are turning left on to is clear and no traffic expected from the right (considering the lanes are straight through and right turn only) Another driver in the straight through lane signals and turns left around the island and over a pedestrian crossing (not active) and past the dedicated left turn lane. If a driver was to exit the give way controlled left turn lane and a driver was to turn left from the straight through lane who will be held most at fault for causing any accident if one was to occur? Would it be the driver who failed to give way to a driver approaching from their right (albeit from the straight through only lane) Or the driver who violated the Land transport act road user rule: 2.4 Route of driving at intersections marked or signed in lanes
If road markings or traffic signs designate specific lanes for specific manoeuvres at the approaches to an intersection, a driver must not use any lane except for the manoeuvre appropriate to its marking or signage.

Another scenario along the same line also.
On approach to a four way traffic light controlled intersection there is two left turn lanes (separated from the rest of the lanes by an island) that is controlled by traffic lights. To the right of that there is a road that only has right and left turning lanes controlled by traffic lights. All turning lanes mentioned get a green signal respectively. A driver enters the right turning lane and continues straight through instead of turning right. They get to the point of the left turning traffic on the other side of the intersection. If an accident was to occur at that point who will be more at fault considering a driver again broke the land transport act route of driving at intersections rule.

Thoughts? off course in both scenarios it is the worst case if an accident did occur as at the time there should be plenty of time for both drivers to take evasive action.

Anon

Hi there,
There are two things to look at in these scenarios, the road rule broken which will attract an infringement and the road rule broken which caused the accident. Sometimes it can be the same person for both and sometimes split.
In this case it is true that the one car was using a lane they shouldn't, but if the other car just pulled out into a lane (entering a roadway/changing lanes) without making sure the way was clear/ giving way then they may be found to be the cause of the accident and both could receive infringements if police attended.
Similar to if a small car was using a bus lane, just because other motorists were looking for large busses not a small car, turned in front of it and crashed.
I hope this helps a bit.