What’s the move on this junction, option 1 or 2?

39 comments
  1. Does that junction have traffic lights? Because it clearly should have them.

    If the dotted line are shark teeth, I’d say you have right of way. And I assume there are signs that help clarify what’s going on from both perspectives.

    Strictly speaking you should keep the right lane, so: Option 1.

    Option 2 sounds reasonable, but you might be blocking traffic behind you by allowing the waiting car to pass. Plus a potentially ambiguous situation from the perspective of the red car waiting behind the shark teeth.

  2. I’d say there’s no best way. Option 2 leaves room for the waiting car but you’re not obliged to do that. Also, if you do it, it migh hinder the car behind you if they take option 1 and the waiting car starts to join the lane.

    Plus, if I were waiting car, I’d also just keep on waiting until ALL cars have passed, whther they’re doing option 1 or 2), just to be sure it’s safe to join the lane.

  3. Both are equally valid, option 2 is the courteous way though. Highly appreciate when people are considerate on the road and I try to do the same when possible, if we would all do so, we’d all be less stuck in traffic.

  4. If I recal correctly there is a piece in the Wegcode that talks about this. It should always be option 1. If taking a turn you need to take it as wide as possible and always take up the most right-hand lane. After this you can pick the lane that matches your destination.

  5. Funny, I had this exact situation during my practical exam.

    I went for option 2 because it wanted to let the other car have space.

    The examinator told me that it should have been option 1 and that I could have failed for that lol

    In the end he still gave me my driving license because honestly it makes more logical sense to go for 2 here and it would have been a shame to fail for that

    (There were green traffic lights for both of us)

  6. In my driving lessons they told me when you go from 1 lane to 2 lane you’re allowed to choose (unless specified otherwise). However if It’s from a 2 lane road to another 2 lane road you have to stay on your lane so right lane to right lane, left lane to left lane. That’s how I’ve been doing it ever since.

  7. IIRC decades ago, my instructor said “landing on the most right lane after a crossing”

    So, do not cut diagonaly but got straight first, then turn and land following Option 1.

  8. You should always keep right, also on a 2 lane road unless you need to pass by someone or when you sort to take a left turn. So option 1 is the only correct option in most situations.

  9. Option 1 is the correct one, but since it’s a 1 lane left turn you won’t get into any trouble for taking option 2. Taking option 2 also does not mean waiting car can enter, there may other cars behind you taking option 1.

  10. Even if 2 might seem courteous, option 1 is the only acceptable one, because it is mandatory to take the widest turn. Not following the rules just creates confusion.

    In this case, with option 2, the waiting car might engage while a car behind you might take option 1 and you would have created confusion.

  11. I’m kinda surprised by the answers in this topic. To me it’s seems pretty straight forward: always option 1. At least, that’s how I learned it 15 years ago and how I see 99% of the cars react in this situation.

  12. In bebouwde kom: you may choose.

    Outside bebouwde kom: option 1.

    Edit: downvote me if you want but I had this question on my theory exam.

  13. Option 1. Belgian traffic laws, specifically article 9.3.1 state that: “Elke bestuurder die de rijbaan volgt moet zo dicht mogelijk bij de rechterrand van die rijbaan blijven, behalve op pleinen of om de aanwijzingen van de verkeersborden F13 en F15 op te volgen.”

    Basically, this rule allows you to take the left lane to take a turn to the left, but also stipulates that you have to take the right lane after the junction.

  14. Theory : option 1 because you always drive on the right side of the road

    Reality : option 2, I give some space to the waiting car so it can engage faster and you dive on the right lane a bit further so the traffic is smoother

  15. Huh. In Finland, I’m not sure this lane arrangement can even exist (at least without road markings to indicate what lane maps to where), and I think most Finns would be confused and go for option 2, as you would if there were two left-turn lanes.

    My Finnish drivers license is valid in Belgium. ¯\_ (ツ)_/¯

  16. Always option 1 because the left lane is for overtaking on most lanes. That’s how I remember it. This is especially important to remember when going to the UK since the lanes will be switched or rather you drive on the left.

  17. Option 2. I once did an option 1 because I didn’t know the lane next to me could also go left. This isn’t the case in your situation but better to keep a standard reaction for this I think.

  18. Ligt er aan of dit binnen de bebouwde kom is of niet …
    – “Binnen de bebouwde kommen mogen de bestuurders de rijstrook volgen die het best aan hun bestemming beantwoordt” (artikel 9.4). Moet je in de bebouwde kom dus even verderop een zijstraat links in, dan mag je natuurlijk het linkervak daarvoor gebruiken.

    of als er al veel volk op die rijkstrook staat:
    – “Wanneer de verkeersdichtheid het rechtvaardigt” (artikel 9.5). In sterk vertraagd verkeer en files kan je de capaciteit van de rijstroken dus beter zo goed mogelijk benutten. Maar verder blijft dit in de wegcode al bij al vaag omschreven.

    En dan nog deze:
    – “(…) om de aanwijzingen van de verkeersborden F13 en F15 op te volgen” (artikel 9.3.1). Verkeersbord F13 geeft aan dat je verderop een rijstrook moet kiezen, verkeersbord F15 geeft de keuze van een bestemming verderop aan.

  19. Keeping right is the basis of our traffic law. Incredible that you don’t know this.

  20. In Canada it’s option 2. I did my driver’s test here and took option 1 during the test and the examinator told me “I drive like a European”.

    Note that you can turn right on a red light in Canada (BC) so option 1 could cause a crash easily.

  21. option 1: you always drive as far to the right as possible (unless you have to pre-filter to go to a certain direction)

  22. Option FUCKING 1 if that’s a question for any one they need to go and do there driving exams again!!!

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