Confused on roundabouts

ERICS_MUM

thanks to everyone for views and links. I will check the lane markings/signage next time I use the roundabouts. Once I'm confident that I'm doing the right thing I will be "safer" if you know what I mean. Dithering can be dangerous !!

almillar

If there aren't markings, then think of it like a clock face. You come in from 6 o'clock. that makes left 9 o'clock, straight on 12, and right 3. Forget exit numbers too.
If you're going left AT THE FIRST EXIT, approach in left lane. Indicate left until you exit the roundabout. If there is more than one exit to the left, ONLY indicate left once yours is the next one.
If you're going straight on, approach in left lane. Don't indicate until your exit is the next exit, then indicate left to leave the roundabout.
If you're going right, approach in the right lane. Indicate right, until your exit is the next exit, at which point, indicate left to leave the roundabout.
Gets more complicated with more exits, and when exits aren't strictly left, straight on or right. And of course, helpfully, many of the more complicated roundabouts these days have signs, and road markings, saying which lane to be in. Fair play for asking though instead of assuming everyone else is wrong!

photome

photome wrote: »

There is a roundabout near me that has 5 exits, no lane markings and exits are very close together so giving a similar problem to op, having said that If i was exiting at exit 4 it would always be right hand side of rd (no lanes)entering and moving across at exit 3 to exit at 4

the one most people have problems with is from heartsease lane and exiting on to harvey lane

the plumstead rd and harvey lane entrances to roundabout are not an issue as there is only room for one car to enter but the other 2 have space for 2 cars side by side and as you can see NO lane markings.

bear in mind it is a small roundabout with exits very close together and is always busy as it is on the Norwich ring road
https://maps.google.co.uk/maps?q=Heartsease,+Plumstead+Road,+Norwich&hl=en&ll=52.637064,1.328497&spn=0.000469,0.001422&sll=52.8382,-2.327815&sspn=7.648633,23.291016&oq=heartsease&hq=Heartsease,&hnear=Plumstead+Rd,+Norwich,+United+Kingdom&t=h&fll=52.637137,1.328569&fspn=0.000469,0.001422&z=20

No one has commented on this one I posted, specifically coming out of heartsease lane and exiting on to Harvey lane

redmike123

Use your indicators, its what they are for.

DaveF327

photome wrote: »

No one has commented on this one I posted, specifically coming out of heartsease lane and exiting on to Harvey lane

It looks fairly straightforward as there are no "lanes" as such, more one wide approach space where two cars can sit side by side.

Approaching the roundabout from Heartsease Lane, I see a wide building directly ahead of me with two roads branching off to the left of it and two roads to the right of it. I would generally favour a position to the right on approach with a right indicator, but would be fully aware that other drivers may do otherwise.

For example, if a car sidled up to me on my left and moved away simultaneously with me, I would assume a high risk of it wanting the same exit. In that case, I need to make my leaving signal absolutely clear and in ample time, possibly with some progressive acceleration to be sure both my car and signal are in the lead and can be seen.

If the roundabout were quiet enough (almost empty), I would see no sin in positioning centrally or even to the left and treating the road as being virtually ahead, providing my position cannot be misunderstood by anyone else.

There are many situations where there is no right or wrong answer, but judgement must be used.

photome

DaveF327 wrote: »

It looks fairly straightforward as there are no "lanes" as such, more one wide approach space where two cars can sit side by side.

Approaching the roundabout from Heartsease Lane, I see a wide building directly ahead of me with two roads branching off to the left of it and two roads to the right of it. I would generally favour a position to the right on approach with a right indicator, but would be fully aware that other drivers may do otherwise.

For example, if a car sidled up to me on my left and moved away simultaneously with me, I would assume a high risk of it wanting the same exit. In that case, I need to make my leaving signal absolutely clear and in ample time, possibly with some progressive acceleration to be sure both my car and signal are in the lead and can be seen.

If the roundabout were quiet enough (almost empty), I would see no sin in positioning centrally or even to the left and treating the road as being virtually ahead, providing my position cannot be misunderstood by anyone else.

There are many situations where there is no right or wrong answer, but judgement must be used.

That is my take on it., you do have to be very careful on it as people do exactly as you say and use both lanes from heartsease lane to exit on to Harvey lane.. It is also a relatively small roundabout for so many exits so it is often difficult to enter especially if the ring road exits are to your right

Its never quiet though :eek:

photome

redmike123 wrote: »

Use your indicators, its what they are for.

If that was for me then it was pointless.

Of course you use your indicators but when it is a small roundabout with 5 exits its not that simple, especially as many people dont do what you advocate

martin2345uk

It does shock me sometimes how many people DON'T know how to use indicators on roundabouts! My 25 minute commute along the A34 in Cheshire takes me through no less than 9 full size (i.e. not mini) roundabouts.

People who are taking the 4th exit, at 3 o'clock, indicating LEFT the whole way round - very common!

People who are taking the last exit, indicating right on approach to the roundabout, then keep indicating right as they take their exit (should be indicating left by that point!) - almost as common!

I always thought it was quite straightforward but clearly not??