How do you know if a roundabout has two lanes?

deaston

Near me is a roundabout fed by four single carriageway roads. As each road meets the roundabout, it widens and two cars can comfortably sit side-by-side. But there are no road markings suggesting there are two lanes going around the roundabout.

I often get beeped at as it's a tight roundabout and hard to keep in the outside lane as you go round, but I wonder if actually there's only one lane?

https://www.instantstreetview.com/@51.901053,-0.648003,303.83h,-8.59p,1z

Laz123

Yes, as long as everyone knows the correct rules of roundabout procedures, but as sadly not everyone does it can be quite risky.

neilmcl

deaston wrote: »

Near me is a roundabout fed by four single carriageway roads. As each road meets the roundabout, it widens and two cars can comfortably sit side-by-side. But there are no road markings suggesting there are two lanes going around the roundabout.

I often get beeped at as it's a tight roundabout and hard to keep in the outside lane as you go round, but I wonder if actually there's only one lane?

https://www.instantstreetview.com/@51.901053,-0.648003,303.83h,-8.59p,1z

Depends where your were going and how you were positioned. If for example your were taking the first exit or going straight on and were impeding the progress of someone taking the third exit then I'm not surprised you were "beeped".

The number of drivers who think the road is "tight" when in reality you could pass a couple of elephants through side-by-side often amazes me, particularly when drivers start off OK then begin encroaching on the car to their inside.

NBLondon

The approach road shown isn't divided into 2 lanes, so I wouldn't expect the roundabout to be. It might be wide enough for 2 cars side by side but what about a bus, coach or artic? I'm assuming that by "outside lane" you mean the one nearest the centre island when turning right to the 3 o'clock position.


Could well be the case that locals have applied their own presumed rules.

facade

We have lots of those here. Some have the left lane marked as turn left only, but that doesn't help as most people can't drive the behemoth they are sat in, and pretty much have to go straight out and touch the island to turn left anyway.

The simple answer would be to make it a single lane entry, but that is too obvious.

I tend to break the Highway code and straddle both lanes to go straight on (if there isn't a turn left only lane), to prevent an optimistic right turner thinking there is room for another humvee alongside mine, when really there isn't room for a bicycle.

molerat

Too many drivers do not go "round" a roundabout when going straight ahead but go "through" it taking the shortest route. That one looks plenty wide enough for 2 cars.

neilmcl

Can I ask OP what car do you drive?

deaston

NBLondon wrote: »

The approach road shown isn't divided into 2 lanes, so I wouldn't expect the roundabout to be. It might be wide enough for 2 cars side by side but what about a bus, coach or artic? I'm assuming that by "outside lane" you mean the one nearest the centre island when turning right to the 3 o'clock position.


Could well be the case that locals have applied their own presumed rules.

Yes, when turning right, it's hard to keep in the outside lane (assuming there are two lanes) and people going straight on can often think you're veering into the inside lane.

My thoughts were with you - there are no markings on the approach or exits to split into to lanes/merge back into one, so I assume it's actually only one lane going around the roundabout and people are, therefore, overtaking illegally (?).

Money_maker

molerat wrote: »

Too many drivers do not go "round" a roundabout when going straight ahead but go "through" it taking the shortest route. That one looks plenty wide enough for 2 cars.

Many drivers don't realise that their steering wheel can actually turn their wheels. For instance, the number of people turning right who seem to need to use the left hand lane to veer into first rather than just turning their steering wheel.

Strider590

OP I'm sorry, but I think your lying to yourself, there's no excuse for straight lining that roundabout other than laziness or wannabe racing driver syndrome.

I positively hate people straight lining roundabouts without checking their mirrors and I never do it full stop.

Ironically i've had people honk at me for taking the ADI recommended line into and out of corners. Using a wide line to maintain the best possible view of the road ahead.

As well as pure laziness and failing to check mirrors, there are a lot of untrained clueless drivers who seemingly think that straight lining roundabouts makes them a superior driver to everyone else. This must be the case because some continue to do it roundabout after roundabout even though everyone around them has had to use their horn several times.

neilmcl wrote: »

The number of drivers who think the road is "tight" when in reality you could pass a couple of elephants through side-by-side often amazes me, particularly when drivers start off OK then begin encroaching on the car to their inside.

I would add to that, people who'd rather hit an oncoming car, than get too close to a few twigs.
Like somehow they must be thinking that if there is a collision, it'll be the other drivers fault.

neilmcl

deaston wrote: »

Yes, when turning right, it's hard to keep in the outside lane (assuming there are two lanes) and people going straight on can often think you're veering into the inside lane.

My thoughts were with you - there are no markings on the approach or exits to split into to lanes/merge back into one, so I assume it's actually only one lane going around the roundabout and people are, therefore, overtaking illegally (?).

Don't be daft, just because there isn't two defined lanes doesn't mean there isn't room for 2 vehicles to pass each other safely. If you're going straight on or turning left you should be over to the left as far as and as safe as you can so as not impeded the progress of other road users. Similarly if you're taking the third exit (turning right) you should not be driving in a way that causes another driver to change his direction of travel or put yourself or them in danger. It's common sense plain and simple. Also, care to explain what an illegal overtake is?

Now I ask again what vehicle do you drive because unless you drive anything larger than a bus there isn't any reason why 2 vehicles can't take that roundabout side by side.