Roundabout accident, who's fault ?

unholyangel

boliston wrote: »

Any cyclist who turns right from the left hand lane is unlikely to live very long :eek:

In that case THC would recommend they dismount and walk around, not that they use the right lane.

boliston

unholyangel wrote: »

In that case THC would recommend they dismount and walk around, not that they use the right lane.

Some roundabouts don't really have safe places to walk around - this is a roundabout near my home I cycle round most days and there is a 'priority lane' on one leg which would make walking round quite hazardous as traffic never actually stops! https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.0206631,-3.0902363,3a,75y,117.88h,69.82t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sj_38UR-Pdm-YJoTqGBsl5g!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Car_54

PasturesNew wrote: »

I must admit that if I'm going straight over in a "busy but local usage" roundabout where there are 3 lanes and I want the middle one, as soon as I pass the first exit and start indicating that I'm exiting the roundabout I always take a peek out of the corner of my left eye to check nobody's trying to nip up the inside and over the hashed area "just in case"

But you should carry out your observations before you signal, not afterwards.

RichardD1970

prowla wrote: »

A pedal cyclist is allowed to do whatever they like, because the rules of the road don't apply to them.

Yes they do. (except speed limits due to the wording AFAIA)

Richard53

Car_54 wrote: »

A pedal cyclist is allowed to keep to LH lane regardless of his intended exit.

Of course. I was thinking in terms of the OP and two road users challenging for the exit, but the bicycle is perfectly entitled to continue round the left lane until he/she reaches their exit, and in slow traffic this may involve passing cars quite legitimately on the nearside.


If I recall Roadcraft correctly, you should do a mirror check (or a full shoulder check) on either side if you are moving out of your lane - whether this be taking an exit or simply changing lanes on a dual carriageway. It has saved my bacon (or someone else's) a few times.

prowla

Richard53 wrote: »

Of course. I was thinking in terms of the OP and two road users challenging for the exit, but the bicycle is perfectly entitled to continue round the left lane until he/she reaches their exit, and in slow traffic this may involve passing cars quite legitimately on the nearside.

Can you point out where in the Highway Code it says that, please?

Mercdriver

prowla wrote: »

Can you point out where in the Highway Code it says that, please?

Rule 77

You may feel safer walking your cycle round on the pavement or verge. If you decide to ride round keeping to the left-hand lane you should

be aware that drivers may not easily see you
take extra care when cycling across exits. You may need to signal right to show you are not leaving the roundabout
watch out for vehicles crossing your path to leave or join the roundabout.



and rule 187:

cyclists and horse riders who may stay in the left-hand lane and signal right if they intend to continue round the roundabout. Allow them to do so

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/using-the-road-159-to-203#roundabouts-184-to-190

unholyangel

boliston wrote: »

Some roundabouts don't really have safe places to walk around - this is a roundabout near my home I cycle round most days and there is a 'priority lane' on one leg which would make walking round quite hazardous as traffic never actually stops!

No more hazardous than a pedestrian with a buggy trying to cross the road (if the junction is too busy, walk up the road slightly to cross) and undoubtedly still safer than going around in either lane given the propensity for accidents on roundabouts.

maddol1

Sorry to reopen this thread!
I was just wandering if anyone could offer me some advice.


I went into the back of someone midway over a roundabout.
The car in front stopped suddenly as the exit ahead was blocked and they were letting cars pass from the left.
Am I automatically at fault being the car behind or is he at fault for stopping suddenly on the roundabout (there was no obstruction immediately ahead of him).


Thanks

AdrianC

maddol1 wrote: »

I went into the back of someone midway over a roundabout.
The car in front stopped suddenly as the exit ahead was blocked and they were letting cars pass from the left.
Am I automatically at fault being the car behind or is he at fault for stopping suddenly on the roundabout (there was no obstruction immediately ahead of him).

Your fault 100%.


Why he stopped is not relevant. You were clearly too close to react in time to him stopping.


In this case, though, it sounds as if his stopping was sensible - rather than gridlock the roundabout, he stopped in sufficient time to allow other traffic to continue to flow.