Driving over mini roundabout - AA instructor says yes under certain circumstances

egyptiancotton

I've recently put myself forward for the AA's Drive Confident course as a refresher before I apply to join IAM. There's a mini roundabout close to my house which I always drive around.

Refer to this image of the mini roundabout. When driving in the direction of the black arrow, I drive around the raised mini roundabout rather than drive over it to travel straight ahead. The AA instructor who took me out in the car today, told me it's OK to drive over it if there's no other traffic around.

Now I'm confused. The Highway Code and law says this:

Rule 188:
Mini-roundabouts. Approach these in the same way as normal roundabouts. All vehicles MUST pass round the central markings except large vehicles which are physically incapable of doing so. Remember, there is less space to manoeuvre and less time to signal. Avoid making U-turns at mini-roundabouts. Beware of others doing this.
Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD regs 10(1) & 16(1)

Also, if I'm waiting at a roundabout for more than a few seconds to let traffic from my immediate right past, I'll apply the handbrake. The AA instructor advised me it's not worth applying the handbrake and to use the brake and get the clutch at the biting point ready to join quickly. Even if I'm on a slight gradient, which I questioned, I was advised not to use the handbrake if I'm only there for a few seconds.

Is the AA instructor correct or am I being given misleading and potentially dangerous advice? I have the second session in two weeks. I'm after some advice now in advance of the last session.

Any advice and guidance would be greatly appreciated.

iolanthe07

I always drive around a mini roundabout properly, but lots of people do drive over them. I still think the AA instructor was wrong, though.

egyptiancotton

iolanthe07 wrote: »

I always drive around a mini roundabout properly, but lots of people do drive over them. I still think the AA instructor was wrong, though.

I was also advised that it's acceptable to cut marking when there is no traffic and it's safe to do so.

I'm starting to think that some of the advice I've been given is incorrect. It's made me question whether to proceed with the other session in two weeks.

wiogs

I seem to recall that it is acceptable to drive over a "painted" mini roundabout although I know it is definitely not acceptable to do so over "raised" one.

egyptiancotton

wiogs wrote: »

I seem to recall that it is acceptable to drive over a "painted" mini roundabout although I know it is definitely not acceptable to do so over "raised" one.

The mini roundabout in question is raised. Just to confirm

facade

You can be prosecuted if you drive over them and a police officer sees you (or some snitch with a dashcam and nothing better to do sends the video to that online busybody site)

As for the handbrake I've no idea, I drive an auto and keep my foot on the brake until I can go, unless it is for a lights change when I know it will be a while.

wiogs

lloydyyy wrote: »

The mini roundabout in question is raised. Just to confirm

Always round it then. The local cops had a purge and did a load of people last year for driving over mini roundabouts.

facade

There is one on my way home from work that is placed so that if you want to turn right, and drive round it rather than over it, traffic assume from your road position you are going straight on (as you have to do a 120 degree swan neck to go right) and pull out, so the legal route involves much covering of the brake, whilst the illegal one is safer.

(I bet the planner got an award for the layout too)

egyptiancotton

facade wrote: »

There is one on my way home from work that is placed so that if you want to turn right, and drive round it rather than over it, traffic assume from your road position you are going straight on (as you have to do a 120 degree swan neck to go right) and pull out, so the legal route involves much covering of the brake, whilst the illegal one is safer.

(I bet the planner got an award for the layout too)

That sounds like a nightmare road layout :rotfl:

I've contacted the AA and asked for further advice. They seem to think he's given me incorrect advice. They're going to consult the DSA and get back to me tomorrow or Monday.

pstuart

When you use the handbrake, your rear break lights go off - its really safer to let people behind know that you are there and that you have stopped.

Don't use the hand brake until you aware that there is at least one person pulled up behind you.

Currently a hot topic on some motoring forums about automatic (electronic) parking brakes.

arcon5

The handbrake seems unnecessary at a mini roundabout.

The driving over it sounds questionable, doubt legal.... But there is a difference between driving like mr Highway Code and driving safely - often driving to others. The example already given about the turning right portrays this.

Seems the instructor is throwing some rules out of the window