Signalling on roundabouts

Richard53

Let's assume a simple roundabout, with single-lane roads entering at N, S, E and W. The signalling rules that I was taught in the early 70s (and which seem to be unchanged in the current Highway Code) are fairly simple. Approaching from the S:

To turn left, you signal left on the approach to the roundabout, maintain your signal through the junction, and take the first exit.

To turn right, you signal right on the approach, keep the right signal going through the junction, signal left when passing the second exit, and take the third exit.

To go straight on, you do not signal on the approach, but signal left when passing the first exit, and take the second exit.

My question is: why do so many drivers signal right on the approach to the roundabout when they are going straight on? I pass over several of these simple roundabouts on my way to work, and the number of drivers who do this is more than just the odd few. Was this ever taught as the correct method?

https://www.gov.uk/using-the-road-159-to-203/roundabouts-184-to-190

When taking any intermediate exit, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise
* select the appropriate lane on approach to and on the roundabout
* you should not normally need to signal on approach
* stay in this lane until you need to alter course to exit the roundabout
* signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want.

Has anyone else noticed this? I would guess around 10% of drivers I see do the 'straight on, signal right' thing.

Superbiatch

I often wonder this myself and also why mini roundabouts seem to cause so much confusion :question:

Joe_Horner

The first part of your post is probably the clearest description of how to signal "correctly" for roundabouts I've ever seen, and it ain't exactly rocket science

Having said that, it does start to get a little blurred when the roundabout isn't in the "standard" layout with odd angles or more than 3 exits.

There are a few round here where the second exit is closer to 3 o'clock than 12 o'clock on some approaches, with a 3rd exit almost next to the road you're entering from. Indicating right for the second exit as you approach in that case gives other road users a clearer idea of the line you're likely to take through the roundabout because you'll be using much the same line you would for a "traditional" 3rd exit. But it should still change to a left indicate as soon as you've passed the exit before the one you're taking!

Strider590

Richard53 wrote: »

My question is: why do so many drivers signal right on the approach to the roundabout when they are going straight on? I pass over several of these simple roundabouts on my way to work, and the number of drivers who do this is more than just the odd few. Was this ever taught as the correct method?

I'd like to know this too, it really worries me when im next to one of these pillocks, it makes you wonder if they're blind and about to crash into you.

Superbiatch wrote: »

I often wonder this myself and also why mini roundabouts seem to cause so much confusion :question:

Don't get me started on f**kwits that use these for U-turns and then half the time end up having to stop/reverse/stop/drive. But even if they manage the manoeuvre, it's not something most people expect, so the chances of you pulling out on one of these muppets is VERY high.

banger9365

remember right or wrong ,if they are on the roundabout they have right off way ,not the muppet coming on to the roundabout,
and the so called f**kwit that do's a U-turn on a mini roundabout,or go's round to come back on him self .would you beleave they can and its legal

Strider590

banger9365 wrote: »

remember right or wrong ,if they are on the roundabout they have right off way ,not the muppet coming on to the roundabout

That wasn't my point, the point is they're doing something which nobody expects to happen.

Joe_Horner

Strider590 wrote: »

That wasn't my point, the point is they're doing something which nobody expects to happen.

The answer to that is simple. You know some people do it, so expect it.

Don't enter a roundabout in front of a car that might be going past your entrance before you've emerged until you're sure of where they're going - and that doesn't mean "when they've indicated" because the chances are they've got the indication wrong,

Rain_Shadow

Richard53 wrote: »

My question is: why do so many drivers signal right on the approach to the roundabout when they are going straight on?

They are morons.

[Deleted User]

Why does it always seem to be BMW/Audi/other prestige makes that do not signal at all?

Richard53

Thanks for the replies. Good to know I am not imagining it.

Joe_Horner wrote: »

Having said that, it does start to get a little blurred when the roundabout isn't in the "standard" layout with odd angles or more than 3 exits.

Agreed; that's why I talked about a simple roundabout, where the rules are (or should be) clear. I wonder if the confusion arises from the increasing number of complex (don't know the proper name) roundabouts, with multiple lanes and exits, like a motorway interchange. With these, the rules are much more to do with signalling lane changes, and I wonder if people are transferring ideas from these to the older 'normal' roundabouts.

It's a mystery.

Tilt

Personally, I don't see the point indicating left after passing the turn off prior to the one you are taking on a normal non-motorway type round-a-bout. If you are turning right then obviously you should indicate right on the approach then cancel when you have passed the previous turn off.

There is a round-a-bout near where I live that has an entrance to a garden centre just after it. Drivers that indicate left coming off the island simply give the impression they are going into the garden centre which can cause confusion when they aren't.