On Thu, 8 Apr 2021 13:14:58 +0100, "NY" wrote:

snip

The actual rule is you may not enter the box if the exit is blocked by
stationary traffic. Once the traffic starts moving you may enter the box.
Stopping in the box because the traffic in front has subsequently stopped
is not an offence.

True, but is it legal to start off the instant the car on the far side has
started (hoping that they will move far enough that there will be space for
you on the far side)

That's sorta what happened other than the traffic ahead didn't all
move off as such but shuffled up enough for her to then be able to fit
the fan in clear of the box.

and then stop because a car on the side road has
started as well and got there first because they are closer?

Yes, pulling in front of a vehicle on the main road.

That's where
traffic light cameras and/or dashcam come into their own to support your
story.

I guess that depends on what the rules or more importantly exceptions
are.

Even without the side-road queue-jumping issue, what's the legality about
stopping on the box because you have misjudged how far the car in front will
move before stopping again?

I thought you weren't supposed to enter the box unless you could exit
it cleanly? That doesn't seem to be what Scion is stating though.

to be long enough to accommodate your car, rather than just hoping that it
will be? A bit of a grey area, and maybe one where good driving practice and
the letter of the HC differ.

Yes, if 'fairness' came into it then I predict most people would
suggest that daughter getting a ticket wasn't.

A lot depends on where the box junction is: if you are overhanging at
traffic lights, the car from your left that you are blocking will be
starting from rest. You may get verbal and horn abuse, but it's not a safety
issue unless he fails to stop to avoid you. At a level crossing, where the
vehicle that you are blocking will be a train that is already moving (maybe
very fast!) it's a very different story ;-)

Quite.

In this case the junction on the left is no right turn on the way out
so even if you blocked the mouth of that lane you wouldn't be
obstructing anyone. People wanting to exit and turn left couldn't if
there was nowhere to go etc.

Cheers, T i m