Two lanes merging to one after roundabout

mcpitman

Car_54 wrote: »

Do they? Can you find an authority for that?

In fact, the HC (rule 134) says "You should follow the signs and road markings and get into the lane as directed. In congested road conditions do not change lanes unnecessarily. Merging in turn is recommended but only if safe and appropriate when vehicles are travelling at a very low speed, e.g. when approaching road works or a road traffic incident. It is not recommended at high speed."

There is nothing in the OP's account to suggest a very low speed.

It also says (133): "If you need to change lane, first use your mirrors and if necessary take a quick sideways glance to make sure you will not force another road user to change course or speed. When it is safe to do so, signal to indicate your intentions to other road users and when clear, move over."

The OP's intended manoeuvre would have forced the Volvo driver to change speed, since 10' is an inadequate gap. Also, he makes no mention of signalling.

I don't need to find authority, you did that for me.... thanks.


You quote it yourself, with a level of pedantry that is quite outstanding.


As you see nothing that indicated low speed, I see nothing that suggested high speed.


Equally, your quote refers to "You should follow the signs and road markings and get into the lane as directed.". The Op did, because the arrows directed "merge in turn"

DoaM

Technically the arrows only indicate that the right lane needs to merge with the left lane ... they don't indicate merge in turn. (That would normally be by a separate road sign in my experience).

IamNotAllowedToUseMyName

DoaM wrote: »

Technically the arrows only indicate that the right lane needs to merge with the left lane ... they don't indicate merge in turn. (That would normally be by a separate road sign in my experience).

Yes, merge does not imply "in turn". I think that deliberately blocking someone from merging would be considered driving without due consideration, as would deliberately accelerating to block someone from merging safely.

There are plenty of scenarios where drivers inconsiderately stay to the right on a road sequence (my friends have a saying "In Birmingham they drive on the right") and some drivers will take advantage of this road layout to pass an inconsiderate driver (who then considers that the other driver is wrong without considering their own inconsiderate driving).

MEM62

It's a 50/50.

OP, based on the information in your post the other car was driving like a !!!!. However, your lane was ending and you needed to move across to the inside lane. Therefore, you have an obligation to ensure that you can perform that manoeuvre
safely and that includes allowing for the idiots around you.

peachyprice

mcpitman wrote: »

The arrows on the road depict "merge in turn", which means exactly that.

mcpitman wrote: »

Equally, your quote refers to "You should follow the signs and road markings and get into the lane as directed.". The Op did, because the arrows directed "merge in turn"

No, this sign means 'Merge in turn' , not the single arrows on the road

Car_54

mcpitman wrote: »

I don't need to find authority, you did that for me.... thanks.

You quote it yourself, with a level of pedantry that is quite outstanding.

As you see nothing that indicated low speed, I see nothing that suggested high speed.

Equally, your quote refers to "You should follow the signs and road markings and get into the lane as directed.". The Op did, because the arrows directed "merge in turn"

As others have already said, those road markings do NOT mean merge in turn: they simply indicate that vehicles in the RH lane have to move to change lane, and not vice-versa.

As for speed, a safe speed with only 10' separating the vehicles would be about 3 mph. I'd suggest that the vehicles in this case would have been travelling much faster than that, and (although high and low are obviously subjective terms) certainly not at VERY LOW speed, as required by the HC.

Lucky_Duck_2

peachyprice wrote: »

No, this sign means 'Merge in turn' , not the single arrows on the road

The image isn't working as you now need to pay many £££s for 'third party hosting'

DoaM

This is an example of merge in turn. (Google streetview). Note the arrows further along - they simply means merge.

almillar

From your description, it appears that you checked your mirror(s), saw that it was not safe, but proceeded to change lane regardless.

That's not what I read - he checked the mirrors and saw the Volvo 10 Ft behind - and decided that it WAS safe, then Volvo driver accelerated.

Both failed to anticipate the other's actions, and showed no consideration. Both at fault.

Disagree, drivers have to sort themselves out into an order at merge points - OP thought he had done so, Volvo driver changed his mind and wanted to be in front. It would be very difficult to drive if OP has to anticipate these actions.

It also says (133): "If you need to change lane, first use your mirrors and if necessary take a quick sideways glance to make sure you will not force another road user to change course or speed. When it is safe to do so, signal to indicate your intentions to other road users and when clear, move over."

The OP's intended manoeuvre would have forced the Volvo driver to change speed, since 10' is an inadequate gap. Also, he makes no mention of signalling.

I think OP did this just fine (did you signal, OP? I don't think I would have, TBH). Argue over 10ft if you like, but the Volvo driver is the aggressor here.

The Volvo was wrong to accelerate - but OP should not be causing him to brake

From the description, he wouldn't have. The diagram doesn't show 10 ft though.

Trouble with this situation is usually that the outside guy always assumes he can cut in front even if both cars are level

They weren't level.

I've just looked up road markings in the HC and the arrows aren't in it. I take these ones to mean merge from the right lane into the left lane. Onus is on the driver in the right lane to find a safe gap before the lane ends. The way OP describes it, he did. Volvo driver then caused OP to have to change his speed and course, bad driving. As above, the rules change where the traffic is slow moving and not free flowing (queue in both lanes, merge in turn).

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/road-markings

brianposter

What is the significance of the X in the left hand lane ?