Classic cars forum & vehicle restoration.

ukdave2002 · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4104 Location: South Cheshire

I like to think that I know and adhere to the highway code. However I took my driving tests in the 80's and things change, how does one keep up with changes?

The reason I pose the question is because a work colleague has just been fined and got 3 penalty points for crossing an ASL under a red light. If like me you had to ask what an ASL is, its the additional line added to some junctions to create a space for cyclists; rule 178 of the highway code.

I have seen the ASL lines but never understood exactly how they worked, so potentially have crossed an ASL under red.
Whilst ignorance of the law is not an excuse. how are we supposed to keep up with change?

Dave

Rootes75 · Posted: Fri Jan 26, 2018 10:42 pm Post subject:

I too think I may be guilty of that one, I also didn't know what an ASL is. I wonder how many of us would?
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Riley Blue · Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 1750 Location: Derbyshire

Advanced Stop Line - around here the area between them and the stop line for motorised vehicles is a different colour with the outline of a bicycle in white.

The thing is, in all the years they've been in place, I've never seen a cyclist stopped behind one, not once.
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1963 Riley 1.5
1965 Riley 1.5

Rick · Site Admin Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 22437 Location: UK

I often stop over part of the ASL too, you live and learn. Personally I don't much like having one or more cyclists clustered at the front of the queue anyway, why not keep to the side like it always used to be?

Anyway, thanks for the heads-up.

RJ
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Phil - Nottingham · Joined: 01 Jan 2008 Posts: 1252 Location: Nottingham

I did not know what an ASL is or that it is an offence to cross it. The chap must have been unlucky with that offence. How many times do you see drivers stopping incorrectly Box junctions?
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Riley Blue · Joined: 18 Jun 2008 Posts: 1750 Location: Derbyshire

alanb · Joined: 10 Sep 2012 Posts: 516 Location: Berkshire.

Having not seen a cyclist stop at a red light for many years, I really can't see the point of the ASL line other than to catch motorists out and increase revenues.
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alastairq · Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Posts: 1950 Location: East Yorkshire

IIRC..[I'm retired, been that way for 18 months...so I have deliberately left my old job way way behind!]......one can stop within the area of the ASL....providing.....one has already crossed the correct 'stop' line, when the lights go to amber..and one can stop comfortably & safely before the ASL.
If one has also crossed the ASL when the lights go to amber, then one is not under the control of those traffic lights, and should continue when safe to do so....something which many drivers [of the basic sort]....dont realise, and end up blocking the junction for others....

Crossing the Stop line when the lights are red is an offence in anybody's book. Given the scarcity of Constables..certainly in my part of the country....actually 'being seen' is unlikely.....even less so when one factors in the amount of 'harm' the infringement has created? IE, Will that rarity, the Constable, even be bothered?

Penman · Joined: 23 Nov 2007 Posts: 4755 Location: Swindon, Wilts.

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6303 Location: Derby

Sorry, but in my ignorance I thought ASL was "automatic speed limiter" as found on cruise controls... Embarassed

alastairq · Joined: 14 Oct 2016 Posts: 1950 Location: East Yorkshire

Bitumen Boy · Posted: Sat Jan 27, 2018 9:24 pm Post subject:

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6303 Location: Derby

I may have mentioned my pet "hate" when it comes to modern road design. It is the placing of pedestrian crossings (cycles included) that are controlled by traffic lights AT MAJOR ROUNDABOUTS!!. You approach the roundabout usually on a dual carriageway and see traffic lights up ahead which you expect to be controlling traffic but when you get there the lights are actually for pedestrians!!! You may not be aware of this especially at night so when the lights go green you might naturally think it is safe to go but NO!! Before you know it you are standing the car on it's nose as traffic approaches at speed from your right. Twisted Evil

Bitumen Boy · Posted: Sun Jan 28, 2018 10:38 am Post subject:

Ray White · Joined: 02 Dec 2014 Posts: 6303 Location: Derby

The brakes on my Range Rover are fantastic. The brakes on my Dodge are not.

If I had encountered this stupid crossing/lights combination in the Dodge, only the fact that it has such leisurely accelleration would have avoided a collision.

With regard to the line for a cycle crossing, although I have never known what it is called, I have always stopped at it. I don't recall any public information about all the changes that have been introduced. For example, when the Belisha beacon appeared on the scene, there were public information films showing people how to cross the road at a Zebra crossing. What we have these days is far more confusing and just a little advice would be helpful.