Opinion on mini roundabout crash

Quentin

withabix wrote: »

By the way, I agree with the other posters who state that it is compulsory to go round the painted centre of a mini roundabout UNLESS you are phyisically unable to do so. It isn't just in the Highway Code as a recommendation, it is a requirement and it is in the Regs.

And if you get caught going straight over the painted centre you can get a FPN!

Lum

joanne_d wrote: »

Lum.......time for a refresher course perhaps ?

If you think that it is wrong to give a right signal when making a 90 degree right turn then I would suggest the same to you.

I, personally, would not have given that signal, because the layout is sufficiently ambiguous that said signal can lead other drivers to the wrong conclusion. Specifically if the op was going to make a Scouse right turn at that junction there would have been room for the 3rd party, to make a "left" turn (which is really straight then immediately turn left).

I find that if it is likely that a signal may be misleading then it is better to give no signal at all. Better to have people assume that you are a !!!!!! who can't be bothered to signal than to assume you are going somewhere else and that there is room for them to pull out, straight into the side of you.

On that junction I would have given no signal, made just a token effort to go around the white dot, most likely clipping the centre with my right wheels, thus avoiding the FPN for using the wrong side of the roundabout while still keeping it clear that I am not making a left. As there are only two possible exits there isn't much point in signalling left to exit however once half way across the invisible exit line I drew on the above picture, then I would give a left signal. I leave it this late so that it is as clear as can be that I am refering to the T junction and not the roundabout, therefore helping anyone who may be trying to get out of that junction from the road on the left of that map and also hopefully discourage anyone behind me from being surprised when I slow to turn left and going up the back of me.

I'm fully aware that very little of the above is by the book, and that the end result would actually look very similar to if that junction was a 4 way roundabout, but the reasoning is different. It does, however, comply with all the relevant points of law and also makes an effort to improve traffic flow for people trying to pull out from the T-junction just north of the roundabout.

The OP chose to do it strictly by the book. I respect that, from a perspective of avoiding liability it is the best way to go. The only reason that I don't do likewise is that very few other people do and I would rather avoid an accident occurring than have one occur and be in the right.

Ultimately even if the OP gave a left signal and then turned right it would still be the 3rd party's fault as you should never believe a left signal, or a right signal for that matter. With indicators you should just use them as a clue and combine them with things such as the car's positioning, direction, where the driver is looking etc if you want to attempt to predict where they're going.

king100

Dont worry Lum,

The OP is not at fault, people say its a 50/50 and I dont understand why?

I never take anyone signalling as thats what they are going to do.

He should have given way to the right and didnt.

CASE CLOSED.

cyclonebri1

king100 wrote: »

Dont worry Lum,

The OP is not at fault, people say its a 50/50 and I dont understand why?

I never take anyone signalling as thats what they are going to do.

He should have given way to the right and didnt.

CASE CLOSED.

I'm afraid the insurers will decide that based on both versions, not you. The op clearly feels the other car hit her, he should have given way, he states she didn't signal, she says she did, so although it may not be exactly 50/50 and even if a signal was not given she is not 100 % in the right, all dependant on who you believe. Will the insurers bother aportioning blame? much easier to go 50/50 :eek:. Hopefully the op will eventually update then we can all slag each other off over who was right or wrong:D

robbies_gal

yeah but doesnt mean the insurers are right or wrong either does it? they jsut want whats best for them

casper_g

gabbyevs wrote: »

am i going mad or is there "another" right exit after the one the op wanted to take? so threre was somewhere else the other driver thought she was going

There's only one right exit from the roundabout. That exit then has a T-junction with a left turn off it, immediately adjacent to the roundabout. In any case, whichever road the other driver thought she was taking I can't see that either one would have meant it was clear for him (her?) to enter the roundabout....

robbies_gal

sorry i misread the t junction part-its a very weird setup isnt it?

i probably still wouldnt have signalled but the other driver was wrong to assume anything

pug_in_a_bed

crumbs i've caused a debate!

insurance all being sorted, praying its down to him, phoned the witness today who said the guy sped up to the roundabout and seemed to make a very quick decision to put his foot down and try and get ahead of me, made an error of judgement basically.

Anyway, we'll see what happens, praying it goes in my favour but if not, hey ho Itst a right swine of a junction, very tight and yes the stupid sticky out bit at the straight ahead bit is ridiculous.

Lum, like your pic esp with 'scouse' helpfully labelled

Will definately keep you all informed;)

robbies_gal

good luck pug-youve got a witness you should be ok

king100

cyclonebri1 wrote: »

I'm afraid the insurers will decide that based on both versions, not you. The op clearly feels the other car hit her, he should have given way, he states she didn't signal, she says she did, so although it may not be exactly 50/50 and even if a signal was not given she is not 100 % in the right, all dependant on who you believe. Will the insurers bother aportioning blame? much easier to go 50/50 :eek:. Hopefully the op will eventually update then we can all slag each other off over who was right or wrong:D

Yes I am not the insurer, and neither are you!!!!!!!!!

In the eyes of the insurance, they both win with a 50/50, the OP loses her NC, so does the other guy. Of course unless they are protected.

Both their insurances go up.

Yes we don't have the other side, so all I can do is make my judgment from what I read her.

REGARDLESS IF SHE WAS SIGNALING TO GO LEFT OR RIGHT THE OTHER CAR SHOULDN'T PULL OUT.

GIVE WAY TO THE RIGHT.

Next you will tell me that if I accidentally flick my indicator just near a junction, the guy pulls out and we collide, because I was signaling its 50/50. Get real.

If you all drive here and take what the other person is going to do by what some orange indicator on the side of his car is flashing then maybe you need to go back and get driving lessons.

Did your instructor even say "oh look some guy has his indicator signaling to turn right, its ok to pull out" NEVER.