Fault at roundabout

[Deleted User]

The_Unready said:

There's a similar roundabout near me that always causes me consternation:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.2091535,-2.3150437,3a,75y,180h,90.09t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sbfCcxP6OFI8FR3ZMlGUQtA!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

Note the green road sign on the approach, which shows exits at 11 o'clock and 1 o'clock. There is also an exit at 3 o'clock.

There are two lanes going into the roundabout but only one lane at both of the exits.

The 11 o'clock exit is straightforward - left hand lane. But the 1 o'clock exit is used by cars from both the LH and RH approach lanes, making it a bit of a free for all. As a previous poster said, you really need to have your wits about you!

There is a similar one near me which is not signed at all and two lanes split into 3

https://www.google.com/maps/@52.3608586,-1.9488572,3a,75y,348.68h,87.6t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1suk8N1WPllJChMTyvtS4jRA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192

The left lane is obviously (but not marked) to take the motorway slip and the middle/right are for straight ahead (both) and the services/motorway (right only) however I used to commute this way and the number of idiots who would go in the left slip and then try and go straight on was silly. If they weren't indicating then it was 50/50 as to whether you should pull out first and quickly and get on, or hang back and see where they were going.

TripleH

There is a big roundabout in South Leeds near the White Rose centre, I have seen on more than 1 ooccasion drivers going anticlockwise round it (when quiet) to turn right.

prowla

In my town the approach to indicating at roundabouts is as follows:

1. If taking the 1st exit, go into the left lane but don't indicate at any point.
2. If taking the 2nd exit, go into either lane and indicate right; allow the right indicator to self-cancel as you turn off.
3. If taking the 3rd or subsequent exits, go into the right lane but do not indicate; optionally indicate left as you are taking the exit.

I know that's not what it says in the Highway Code, but evidently the publishers don't know what they are talking about.

Jenni_D

Have you read @prowla's post and thought it was serious advice?  

Edit: the post I responded to has been deleted.  

Petriix

It's really simple: when driving your EV, take any lane you wish. You'll be gone before anyone has a chance to beep at you. Just be careful of other EVs.

tightauldgit

luaive said:

Nearly drove into a car today and I'd just like clarity of whether I was in the wrong lane, so I can amend my driving if so!! Car in left lane, I'm in the right (from our position there is an exit to the left of the other car they can turn as soon as they enter the roundabout (single lane) an exit at about 1o clock (single lane) and another exit at 4 o'clock (2 lanes) as if you had forgotten something and was returning to the start, but heading away from the roundabout so 3 exits in total. I always take the right hand lane, no markings, and then take the 1'oclock exit. Today its clear to my right, I'm first in the queue, I go to pull forward and suddenly theres a car on my left taking the inside of the roundabout. Had to slam on brakes as its not a large roundabout and they had pretty much cut into my lane, they exited at the 1 o'clock the same as I was. If I had hit them it would have been probably near the back door/wheel arch area. Have I been using the wrong lane?? 🤔 

I think by the letter of the HC you are probably in the right as anything past the 12 o clock position is considered turning right but it is I think a genuinely grey area for most drivers - if they consider it 'straight on' then the left lane is correct from that point of view. 

Probably the kind of place where some signage or road markings might help and just a spot to keep your wits about you in future. 

No idea what insurance would have said had there been an accident but probably best not to have to find out.

tightauldgit

Funnily enough I just had one there... cyclist in left lane at roundabout so I assume he's going straight and move to overtake him giving him a wide berth - without signalling decides he is going right after all and narrowly avoids cycling straight into me.. and then I am the one on the receiving end of the w-er gestures. 

ontheroad1970

tightauldgit said:

Funnily enough I just had one there... cyclist in left lane at roundabout so I assume he's going straight and move to overtake him giving him a wide berth - without signalling decides he is going right after all and narrowly avoids cycling straight into me.. and then I am the one on the receiving end of the w-er gestures. 

He should have been signalling, but the HC recommends that cyclists keep left even if turning right at a roundabout.  Sans signalling by cyclist, I assume that they are going to pass at least one junction.  I try and avoid overtaking cyclists in situations like this.

DE_612183

in those situations I always assume the RHL is for right turn, and LHL is left turn or straight ahead

The reason being as soon as you start off the LH turn disappears and you are left with two lanes and two options.

RichardD1970

tightauldgit said:

Funnily enough I just had one there... cyclist in left lane at roundabout so I assume he's going straight and move to overtake him giving him a wide berth - without signalling decides he is going right after all and narrowly avoids cycling straight into me.. and then I am the one on the receiving end of the w-er gestures. 

Although, yes, he should have signalled (not always the easiest of thing to do when negotiating turns, road conditions, traffic etc), from the Highway Code.

From Rule 186

You should give priority to cyclists on the roundabout. They will be travelling more slowly than motorised traffic. Give them plenty of room and do not attempt to overtake them within their lane. Allow them to move across your path as they travel around the roundabout.
Cyclists, horse riders and horse drawn vehicles may stay in the left-hand lane when they intend to continue across or around the roundabout and should signal right to show you they are not leaving the roundabout. Drivers should take extra care when entering a roundabout to ensure that they do not cut across cyclists, horse riders or horse drawn vehicles in the left-hand lane, who are continuing around the roundabout. 

Also Rule 79

If you are turning right, you can ride in the left or right-hand lanes and move left when approaching your exit. Position yourself in the centre of your lane if it is safe to do so (see Rule 72) and signal right to indicate that you are not leaving the roundabout.