Two lanes merging to one after roundabout

Mercdriver

robinwales wrote: »

Yes, thank you, I accept that. I was just really pointing out the logic of giving way to someone in front of you who also needs to change position when you don't.

Were you indicating left? If so, (and perhaps even if not) perhaps the Volvo driver expected you to merge earlier and lost patience.

robinwales

Mercdriver wrote: »

Were you indicating left? If so, (and perhaps even if not) perhaps the Volvo driver expected you to merge earlier and lost patience.

No, I was not indicating, and to be honest I have never seen anyone indicate at that particular point in the road. Is the assumption (anyone's) that only the driver in the right lane ought to indicate because we drive on the left? The driver on the left lane is also merging, in his case to the right. Should he indicate right?

Mercdriver

robinwales wrote: »

No, I was not indicating, and to be honest I have never seen anyone indicate at that particular point in the road. Is the assumption (anyone's) that only the driver in the right lane ought to indicate because we drive on the left? The driver on the left lane is also merging, in his case to the right. Should he indicate right?

No, in this country, the offside lane that is ending is an overtaking lane, so you should normally be moving to the left. I prefer the NZ system, it's clearer, but thats not the system we have in this country.

In the event of a collision I would hazard a guess that liability would be shared, as priority is not clear cut.

In that situation, I would be looking to move before the lane markings end. It's not always possible, but I think that's what the Volvo driver was expecting you to do, and when you didn't do it, he got impatient.

neilmcl

Mercdriver wrote: »

I agree with most of your position but merging in Australia (and New Zealand) is more formally organised.

Also in NZ and Australia, the driver on the right has priority which isn't the case in the UK

That's not true and a bit of a misconception, did you not watch the video in that link.

neilmcl

almillar wrote: »

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

Good old Queensland driving, I remember it well

robinwales

neilmcl wrote: »

That's not true and a bit of a misconception, did you not watch the video in that link.

Yes, I thought the video was quite clear and logical (although it might not apply specifically to the UK). In situation 1 the driver has to give way because he is moving his position across AND he is crossing a line in the road. But in scenario 2 (which is mine) the other driver should give way as he is behind and the driver in front is NOT crossing a line in the road.

https://youtu.be/E1_ewHvFCTE

d123

robinwales wrote: »

A closer view of the actual merge area. You can see that this is a genuine merge area, rather than a lane changing scenario.

You might believe that, but you were changing lanes into the left lane, the arrow denotes that, it's not indicating a merge in turn, it's indicating an end to your lane and to move to the left lane.

You should use the same care and caution as if you were wanting to change from the overtaking lane to the left lane on a dual carriageway or motorway.

Mercdriver

neilmcl wrote: »

That's not true and a bit of a misconception, did you not watch the video in that link.

All the roads I drove on in NZ the roads merged from the left rather than to the left. Yes the principle of the video is correct and how I treated each situation like this, not that I encountered much traffic. I was on the South Island in late Autumn, and so didn't meet that much traffic.

Mercdriver

robinwales wrote: »

Yes, I thought the video was quite clear and logical (although it might not apply specifically to the UK). In situation 1 the driver has to give way because he is moving his position across AND he is crossing a line in the road. But in scenario 2 (which is mine) the other driver should give way as he is behind and the driver in front is NOT crossing a line in the road.

https://youtu.be/E1_ewHvFCTE

In your situation, the lines are unbroken so you are allowed to cross them with care once you have done your observations. The only time you can't do this is where the line is broken. There's one of those not so far from you heading back from The Gower towards Swansea.

To be clear, I think this is what the Volvo driver thinks you should have done and why he overtook you on the nearside. I would have done the same as you, hold position by positioning myself according to who is in front but being prepared to brake if necessary.

Oakdene

Mercdriver wrote: »

In your situation, the lines are unbroken so you are allowed to cross them with care once you have done your observations. The only time you can't do this is where the line is broken. There's one of those not so far from you heading back from The Gower towards Swansea.

To be clear, I think this is what the Volvo driver thinks you should have done and why he overtook you on the nearside. I would have done the same as you, hold position by positioning myself according to who is in front but being prepared to brake if necessary.

Thats my normal drive if I find myself in that lane on that roundabout.