Roundabout lanes

RichardD1970

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

Right hand lane.

You would think so wouldn't you.

But going by the lane markings on the island you can stay in the left hand lane all the way round to the next exit the A38 heading west!

bod1467

Either lane would be acceptable. If I knew the area I'd probably be in the left lane; if I didn't and the sign suggested the exit was to the right then I'd probably join the roundabout in the right lane.

However it would also depend on what the sign on approach to the roundabout displayed.

Car_54

JimmyTheWig wrote: »

I agree.
Unfortunately, what he says makes a lot of sense!

There are many possible sets of rules which might make sense. However, allowing drivers to choose their own rules is a recipe for disaster. That's why we have the HC.

Feral_Moon

RichardD1970 wrote: »

Ok, how about this one?

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.5310734,-1.7755135,346m/data=!3m1!1e3!5m1!1e4

Travelling east on Warmly Ash road, a two lane duel carriage way, and want to go round the island to the A4097 Kingsbury Road.

No marking on the approach to help. Which lane would you be in?

That's exactly the same scenario as I described above. I'd travel in the left hand lane despite leaving via the third exit.

RichardD1970

bod1467 wrote: »

Either lane would be acceptable. If I knew the area I'd probably be in the left lane; if I didn't and the sign suggested the exit was to the right then I'd probably join the roundabout in the right lane.

However it would also depend on what the sign on approach to the roundabout displayed.

Just this.

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.5312569,-1.7785679,3a,60y,75.53h,90t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1snKK0ihITB23Yk7QFuoBiNg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656!5m1!1e4

If you were in the right hand lane then you would find yourself having to battle to get into the left lane to exit the island. (It's a bit of a rush hour rat run so people aren't too inclined to be kind )

bod1467

Based on that sign, and being unfamiliar, I'd take the right lane.

Feral_Moon

bod1467 wrote: »

Based on that sign, and being unfamiliar, I'd take the right lane.

So you would end up cutting up the traffic in the left hand lane?

knightstyle

In Worthing there is a roundabout with two lanes in and everyone goes in the left hand lane and turns right!!!!!!
Lots of us have asked for clear road markings over the last 20 years but still nothing!
Reason is that at the next roundabout they want to turn left and if they go in the right hand lane at the first roundabout they then cannot get into the left hand lane.

Joe_Horner

Car_54 wrote: »

You seem to be using a different Highway Code from the rest of us.

He seems pretty close to me. Barring any signs or markings saying different:

Exiting left (first exit) - approach in left hand lane, signal left on approach

Exiting right (usually last exit but possibly last couple depending on layout) - approach in right hand lane, signal right o approach

Intermediate exits (broadly "straight on" but anything not an obvious "left" or "right") - approach in "appropriate" lane, don't indicate on approach, indicate left after passing the exit before your chosen one.

"Appropriate" lane for intermediates means choosing a lane which is safe, not prohibited by signs, maintains traffic flow, and (assuming you know the layout) allows you to exit into a suitable lane.

So, for example, if you know you're exiting onto a dual carriageway but need to take an immediate exit from that road, keeping left is appropriate to allow you to exit into the left lane of the DC.

On the other hand, if you know you'll be turning right at another roundabout just after exiting then right lane on approach would be appropriate to allow you to exit into the right hand lane ready for the next roundabout.

So, that's left lane for first or intermediates and right lane for intermediates or right - pretty much what he described.

Marvel1

Some drivers drive "straight" for the second exit!