Indicating on a roundabout

BritRael

A few weeks ago, I had a discussion with the new head of traffic control at work about how to handle roundabouts.

As he is an advanced driver he informed me of his (correct) method;

1) Turning left, get in the left lane and indicate left - we agreed.
2) Going straight ahead, either lane, do not indicate - we disagreed.
3) Turning right - either lane, do not indicate - we disagreed.

I told him that my method is to indicate at all times to show everybody what I'm doing. i.e. if going straight ahead, I indicate right (showing that I'm going around the roundabout, and more specifically, that I am not turning left), and after passing the junction before the one that I want, I indicate left. This is to help anybody behind me and also anybody waiting to come out of the junction that I am about to turn in to (saves them waiting for nothing).

Any thoughts/comments?

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

You only need to indicate if there's someone who can benefit from the signal.

I don't indicate right unless my exit is more than 180' around the roundabout.

Inactive

You need to get some driving lessons if you indicate right to go ahead.;)

picnic

doesnt that depend on the size of the roundabout???? and what about these 'mini roundabouts'? there are several on the B road I live near and the confusion over these.... I assume (righty or wrongly) that as its a roundabout that normal rules apply and to give way to traffic coming from the right.....??
not every one agree's on this and that they are 'traffic calming measure'.... who is right...
would love to know.......

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers!

Look, a roundabout is just a circular piece of one-way road, with junctions spaced at regular or irregular intervals.

If you're on a minor road joining a major road, you give way to traffic already on the major road - that much is obvious. Ditto if the major road is one-way.

Just consider the roundabout as a major road you want to join, and all entrances/exits as minor roads.

It really is very simple.

Inactive

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

I don't indicate right unless my exit is more than 180' around the roundabout.

Correct, anywhere past 12 o'clock on your approach is deemed a right turn, anything less is either straight on or a left turn.

aliasojo

BritRael wrote: »

I told him that my method is to indicate at all times to show everybody what I'm doing. i.e. if going straight ahead, I indicate right (showing that I'm going around the roundabout.......

Any thoughts/comments?

I'm sorry but it's drivers like you that cause accidents.

You most certainly do NOT indicate right if you are going straight ahead. As Inactive states, use the '12 o'clock rule' to help you.

BritRael

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

You only need to indicate if there's someone who can benefit from the signal....

I though I made that clear in the thread. Obviously not :rolleyes:

Pew_Pew_Pew_Lasers! wrote: »

...I don't indicate right unless my exit is more than 180' around the roundabout.

This was my mates point.

I disagreed because of this: 180' (or 12 o'clock rule) is relative to my starting point, which others are not necessarily aware of. However, particularly on a large roundabout, we are all just vehicles on it. Nobody thinks "he's going straight ahead because he's not indicating". When I'm waiting to enter a roundabout and there is a car to my right on the roundabout I have only two questions; is he going to turn before me or go past? Therefore if he is indicating I know, if he is not indicating, I have to guess.

BritRael

aliasojo wrote: »

I'm sorry but it's drivers like you that cause accidents....

lol - why would using an indicator cause an accident?

Having never been in an accident (or seen any in my rear-view mirror! ) in over 35 years of driving all over the world I tend to disagree with your opinion.

I do however, get annoyed at inconsiderate drivers who while driving around a roundabout (and not indicating), can see that I'm giving way to them, only to then turn into the junction that I'm waiting at! w***ers!! :mad:

aliasojo

BritRael wrote: »

This was my mates point.

This would be the HEAD of traffic control who had done an ADVANCED driving course? Dont you think that tells you something to start with? It would be wise to defer to the more knowledgeable.

Nobody thinks "he's going staight ahead because he's not indicating". When I'm waiting to enter a roundabout and there is a car to my right on the roundabout I have only two questions; is he going to turn before me or go past?

You can't justify your reasoning, it's a clear cut right and wrong situation.

bristol_pilot

The Highway Code says signal left on approach if turning left, signal right on approach if turning right, no signal on approach if going straight on but signal left after the exit before the one you are going to take.