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

arcon5

Although the brake lights theory is a good point, the flip side is if somebody rear ends you without your hand brake on then your foot will come off the peddle and your car fly out in to moving traffic.

Personally I'm doing the former, but something to consider

facade

lloydyyy wrote: »

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

Yes, provided that it is not a solid white line that you cross first, (If you cross road markings and are involved in a collision you may open yourself up to charges of careless driving or worse.)

However, if you are using both sides of the road to make good safe progress and straighten bends out, ( as I was advised by advanced instructors a few years ago), you may end up getting stopped and having your vehicle inspected when you point out that you are doing nothing wrong to the Officer .

Another good reason not to cut road markings is these are dead areas of the surface, where all the screws that fall off the back of jobbing builders pickups end up and it invites punctures: I try to keep to areas that have had all the nails & screws picked up by someone else's tyres

juno

lloydyyy wrote: »

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.

I had my accident because of this.

Stopped at traffic lights and my foot slipped off the clutch. Car developed a death wish and sped up to hit the car in front.

ariba10

A painted roundabout is to indicate priorities. (Give way to the right)

---lee---

lloydyyy wrote: »

I've recently put myself forward for the AA's Drive Confident course as a refresher before I apply to join IAM.

You are wasting money and time. You can join IAM as an associate member. You will receive help and advice from a member who will sit with you in your car whilst you drive. You will be advised when you are ready for your test, once you pass it you will be a full member.

First step would be to ring your local group for advice. Details on the website. You can also buy a skill for life pack which includes your local group membership and test fee.

facade

ariba10 wrote: »

A painted roundabout is to indicate priorities. (Give way to the right)

I disagree, you could achieve that with a give way sign at the minor junction(s).

The job of an island is primarily to slow down traffic on the major road.

Aretnap

The mini-roundabout comes under sign 611.1 in the TSRGD (link)

(a)A vehicle entering the junction must give priority to vehicles coming from the right at the transverse road marking shown in diagram 1003.3 associated with the sign or, if the marking is not for the time being visible, at the junction; and

(b)a vehicle proceeding through the junction must keep to the left of the white circle at the centre of the marking shown in diagram 1003.4, unless the size of the vehicle or the layout of the junction makes it impracticable to do so; and

(c)no vehicle shall proceed past the marking shown in diagram 1003.4 in a manner or at a time likely—
(i)to endanger any person, or
(ii)to cause the driver of another vehicle to change its speed or course in order to avoid an accident.

So the only time it's permitted to drive over the white circle is if the size of your vehicle and/or the tightness of the junction make it impractical to avoid doing so. If you drove over it because you were going quite fast that wouldn't be allowed, if it would have been practical to avoid driving over it by going more slowly. Whether it's a raised circle or just a painted one makes no difference.

Of course, like a lot of things, it's "acceptable" if there's nobody around and you don't get caught.

ariba10

facade wrote: »

I disagree, you could achieve that with a give way sign at the minor junction(s).

The job of an island is primarily to slow down traffic on the major road.

A roundabout is in essence a give way sign.

goonarmy

Why join the Iam in the first place?

Quentin

goonarmy wrote: »

Why join the Iam in the first place?

Exactly.

Once you have passed the test, (if you want to use advanced motoring techniques), joining the IAM is expensive and has no benefit.

They claim you get cheaper insurance though this via a deal with a broker which can easily be beaten on the open market, and you need to take into account the hefty annual fee (min is £32) when comparing!