Almost had a crash today because of these road markings

CreditCardChris

Can someone tell me if this was "my fault" or not?

So I'm driving down this road and see the roundabout sign https://i.imgur.com/yzA4gW8.png so I remain in the left hand lane as this is first exit and pretty much straight ahead. As I get closer I see the road markings https://i.imgur.com/MJdUlhR.jpg and I think I'm in the wrong lane because the straight ahead arrow is on the right hand lane... And the marking on the left hand lane shows an actual left hand turn but I didn't remember seeing a left hand exit on the sign.

So me trying to be correct, I move over to the right hand lane and as I get a few feet from the roundabout I realise there is no left hand exit but as I try to get back over to the left hand lane again I almost hit the guy behind me as he thought I was going right at the roundabout...

I've only been driving for a damn week, I feel terrible.

Is it just me or are these road markings very misleading? Why the hell is the first exit considered a left turn when it's pretty much straight ahead and the second exit is considered straight ahead when it's at the 3 oclock position!

This is why I hate driving on unfamiliar roads

marlot

CreditCardChris wrote: »

...Why the hell is the first exit considered a left turn when it's pretty much straight ahead and the second exit is considered straight ahead when it's at the 3 oclock position! ...

All right turns at roundabouts are now being signed with a straight ahead arrow. Apparently it's to reduce the number of people going around the roundabout the wrong direction.

I agree it's confusing.

I've driven close to a million miles in my career and still get caught out from time to time. My best advice would be that if you find yourself in the wrong lane, just continue in that lane unless you're absolutely sure it's safe to change back again. If that means you have to go down the wrong road and turn around, that's better than having a collision. Similarly, if you have to go all the way around the roundabout then that's fine too.

Kiran

I agree this can be a bit confusing, to add to the confusion, if the arrows are painted on the floor as in that photo they are only a guide and you can go straight over in either lane.


Welcome to the lawless world of motoring!

daveyjp

The sign shows the first exit is at 11 o clock, which isn't straight ahead. The clue is it doesn't line up with the line at 6 o clock.

Left hand lane for the zoo, right hand lane for other exits.

Not difficult, but as you found you only learn to drive after you have passed.

Supersonos

I agree it's confusing. A lot of the roundabouts in Milton Keynes do similar things.

Next time though, rather than suddenly trying to change lanes, just go all the way around the roundabout.

lebowski1980

At least they gave you some warning. There are quite a few roads I've driven on that don't indicate whether the left lane is left only or straight ahead until you are only 50-100 yards away and only by markings on the road. No- sign showing destinations until you are nearly on the roundabout.

Fine to change lane if the traffic is light but a nightmare around rush hour time and even worse if you're relying on the signs to tell you which way to go to get to your destination!

MovingForwards

If ever you find yourself in that situation again, stay in the right hand lane, stick your right indicator on and go round the RAB until you are back to where you want to go, indicate to come back off, watching out for cars on both sides.

NaughtiusMaximus

marlot wrote: »

All right turns at roundabouts are now being signed with a straight ahead arrow.

On all roundabouts or just those which only have 3 exits like the one the OP's talking about? If it's on all of them that's a recipe for disaster due to people who really do want to go straight on using the right hand lane and then cutting across at the last second.

marlot wrote: »

Apparently it's to reduce the number of people going around the roundabout the wrong direction.

Something I've never witnessed in 25+ years of driving, can't be that big a problem surely.

pinkteapot

It happens to even the most experienced drivers on unfamiliar roads. Occasionally you'll also find a roundabout where the normal rules of what lane to be in don't seem to apply because locals all use it in a particular way. :eek:

These sorts of things are really unsettling when you're a new driver (and 20 years on I still feel awful if I annoy another driver inadvertently). You didn't crash. No-one else crashed. It's OK.

As others have said, going all the way round the roundabout is a good option, or just going down the wrong road if need be and turning round where possible.

I moved away from Colchester last year BTW - I don't miss its roundabouts!

lostelephant

To answer your question unfortunately yes it was technically "your fault", but thankfully nothing happened so try and just see it as a learning curve.

The roundabout sign shows there are only two exits, and the road where you wanted to go is towards the left (albeit only slightly), so naturally people turning left need to be positioned left and people turning right need to be positioned right.

A lot of driving just comes with experience, try not to let it knock your confidence, you'll see other drivers doing so much worse I'm sure!

hareng

Really annoying have to blame the Highways Agency yet again for these alterations to decades of Highway Code practice.
Have such an island 130 yards away now marked in left lane to go left only and right lane for ahead or right many indicate right and go straight over and indicate left.
Technically your road required is still left, put it down to experience and dont worry about it, were all here to learn.