Two lanes merging to one after roundabout

Geoff1963

Accidents tend to happen when people believe they have a right of way, and want to enforce it ; so it is safest to believe you don't have right of way.
The arrow says it is the right lane which is ending, and hence the right-lane driver who should give way ; although the left rear corner is often the worst blind spot.

In general, it is the right lane driver who needs to pay more attention, like someone who chooses to walk up an escalator past many who are standing still. The cost of extra attentiveness, is the price for speed.

I'd say that the right lane driver needs to be more alert to other traffic and if possible, exit the roundabout in the left lane. Planning to merge at the last second, by following the right edge of the right lane, leaves no room for contingency.

Mercdriver

People need to learn that losing 4.5metres isn't going to mean they will miss Corrie on the telly, and just have a bit of give and take.

Strider590

I actively avoid roads with merge points like that, they almost always lead to conflict as everyone plays stupid games. I actually used to drive through a village to avoid a dual-carriageway merge point, it was a longer route, but much less stressful.

However if I can't avoid one and i'm in same situation as OP, I watch the car in the next lane line a hawk, I play it cool and calm with the intention of merging safely rather than cutting in, but if that car suddenly tries to block me from merging by racing up the inside then I will very swiftly put my car into their lane with zero indication.
At the end of the day, that person has made a conscious decision to put your life, that of your passengers and those in oncoming vehicles in danger, so all politeness goes out of the window as far as i'm concerned.

tho_2

Strider590 wrote: »

I actively avoid roads with merge points like that, they almost always lead to conflict as everyone plays stupid games.

However if I can't avoid one and i'm in same situation as OP, I watch the car in the next lane line a hawk, I play it cool and calm with the intention of merging safely rather than cutting in, but if that car suddenly tries to block me from merging by racing up the inside then I will very swiftly put my car into their lane with zero indication.
At the end of the day, that person has made a conscious decision to put your life, that of your passengers and those in oncoming vehicles in danger, so all politeness goes out of the window as far as i'm concerned.

So your reaction to you and your passengers being put in danger is to put yourself in even more danger? Sure that makes sense somewhere.

matttye

Let's face it. People are idiots at mergers like this. Just the other day the same thing happened to me. My lane is ending, there's plenty of space for me to merge but someone with a chip on their shoulder perceives me as pushing in and blocks my merge.

Happens all the time. Volvo driver was in the wrong for accelerating rather than letting you in.

robinwales

matttye wrote: »

Let's face it. People are idiots at mergers like this. Just the other day the same thing happened to me. My lane is ending, there's plenty of space for me to merge but someone with a chip on their shoulder perceives me as pushing in and blocks my merge.

Happens all the time. Volvo driver was in the wrong for accelerating rather than letting you in.

I drive an IBIZA ST. It's a fast car, and it looks very sporty and flash. I drive carefully (47 years driving without an accident that was my fault), but some drivers just want to have a go at you because their ego demands it. I think they have the wrong chemicals in what constitutes their brain.

matttye

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.

Really?

Is this really a situation where the Highway Code needs to be consulted? Volvo driver decided to be a jackass and block what would otherwise have been a safe merge.

Nobody has time to stop and consult the highway code on the road, you have to make judgment calls all the time. If there is a large gap to merge into and you can do so without causing people to change speed/direction, then you can do it even if the traffic is moving swiftly.

Mercdriver

matttye wrote: »

Really?

Is this really a situation where the Highway Code needs to be consulted? Volvo driver decided to be a jackass and block what would otherwise have been a safe merge.

Nobody has time to stop and consult the highway code on the road, you have to make judgment calls all the time. If there is a large gap to merge into and you can do so without causing people to change speed/direction, then you can do it even if the traffic is moving swiftly.

Well you should be able to know what the HC says on the matter without having to stop and consult it while you are driving.

Much of it is just plain old common sense though. It costs very little to go one for one through a merge point like this.

Strider590

tho wrote: »

So your reaction to you and your passengers being put in danger is to put yourself in even more danger? Sure that makes sense somewhere.

At what point in my explanation does it state that i'm creating more danger?

I'm blocking the blocker before they can block, sure it usually p1sses them right off, but dillygaf.

The reason I take a hardline approach now is because I once had an articulated lorry accelerate up and block me, causing me to have to stop completely at the end of the merge, annoyingly the road opens back out into 2 lanes less than 100 yrds later and I simply overtook the truck. I don't know what these people think they're achieving by being such morons.

Mercdriver

Strider590 wrote: »

At what point in my explanation does it state that i'm creating more danger?

I'm blocking the blocker before they can block, sure it usually p1sses them right off, but dillygaf.

The reason I take a hardline approach now is because I once had an articulated lorry accelerate up and block me, causing me to have to stop completely at the end of the merge, annoyingly the road opens back out into 2 lanes less than 100 yrds later and I simply overtook the truck. I don't know what these people think they're achieving by being such morons.

You'd rather potentially cause an accident? Have you informed your insurance company?