If I'm turning left at a two-lane roundabout where there are two lanes on the approach, two lanes on the roundabout and two lanes on the exit, do I need to wait / give way to someone in the right hand lane of the roundabout?
My thinking is that, if someone's in the right hand (outside) lane going round the roundabout, they should be coming off the roundabout in the outside lane so I should be able to just go, in the inside lane, and off in the inside lane, effectively at the same time as the car in the outside lane. Is that reasonable?
The problem is when someone who's going round the roundabout in the outside lane exits in the inside lane.
Someone hooted at me the other evening for turning left in the inside lane when he was in the outside lane (he came off in the inside lane and I was obviously in his way).
Simon
|
"My thinking is that, if someone's in the right hand (outside) lane going round the roundabout, they should be coming off the roundabout in the outside lane so I should be able to just go, in the inside lane, and off in the inside lane, effectively at the same time as the car in the outside lane. Is that reasonable?"
What you do is creeping in and I've seen plenty of near misses.
No it's not reasonable. You are pulling out onto a roundabout with traffic on it by assuming they will do what you THINK they should do. It's not defensive driving and you will have a collision - as you have almost experienced. Do not enter a roundabout unless your way is clear.
If they have arrived at 3 o clock and are leaving at 12 o clock they should move across and exit on the inside lane anyway.
|
|
|
If I understand you correctly, according to the Highway code, a vehicle can exit using either lane.
www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycod...8 (see picture )
Besides which, regardless if the left hand lane that you want is empty, you "should give priority to traffic approaching from your right, unless directed otherwise by signs, road markings or traffic lights"
Edited by Dynamic Dave on 22/10/2007 at 11:53
|
|
|
A bit confusing Simon, but I think I get it :-)
I can sort of see your logic, but in practice it's best to 'play safe' and only go when you are 100% sure that no-one is going to cross your path. Even when lane markings dictate otherwise, many drivers' lane discipline at roundabouts is truly abysmal :-(
|
|
|
Would he be able to see your left indicator from his position? If not, he may think you are not taking the first exit, then he would be very weary of taking that exit at all with you on his left. Also, even if your indicator is visible, it's a bit risky for the other car to assume you will take the exit (you could have forgotten to turn it off).
In theory it should be possible, but in practice it increases the risk. Also, the other driver may want to turn left just after the exit.
|
You are taking chances and asking for an accident. You are at liberty to drive in whatever way you like... but don't complain if you end up with bent metal!
|
|
And the majority of the minority of drivers who signal at roundabouts seem to get it wrong, e.g. continuing to signal right when making a left turn to leave the roundabout. I gave up trusting signals a while ago.
|
|
|
Thinking a bit more on this, a lot depends on the relative 'importance' of the intersecting roads.
I can think of a junction on the A1, where some local traffic joins from just one direction i.e. only three 'arms' at the roundabout.
Most times, traffic from the right (southbound) moves fairly briskly using both lanes to go straight on. Most drivers getting onto the A1 from the local access will only wait for a break in traffic in the nearside lane and pull out, exiting in the nearside lane - whilst faster traffic continues unabated in the offside lane.
This works most of the time without mishap, though I have seen outside lane drivers 'drift' across to the inside (either in an attempt to 'straighten' the roundabout, or just plain incompetence) - just as someone is pulling out from the 'local' access.
|
There's a give way line across the entrance to the roundabout as well as a general rule of giving way to traffic from the right on a roundabout - so yes, you do have to give way.
To continue into the left lane of the first exit REQUIRES traffic on the roundabout to stay in the right lane - that isn't giving way and may well result in a collision if they chose the left lane of the exit.
If a driver was on the roundabout in the right-most lane but taking the next exit, they couldn't be sure, if you pulled out, whether you were taking the first exit or continuing further - they would have to give way to you or go round again.
Some busy junctions have a segregated left turn lane, with no give way markings, which leads directly into the left lane of the first exit - in these cases you can "filter" left but should give way at conventional roundabouts.
|
I see it as the same principle as wanting to enter a dual carriageway from a nearside side turning and there's traffic already on the dual carriageway
a decent driver on the dual carriageway would either stay in lane two or move from lane one to two to facilitate your progress.....but nevertheless, they, being on the main road, would have right of way and you'd have to give way to them and take the most care/ responsibility.
Most drivers being total mimsers wouldn't even think about it, let alone do anything to help you.... :-)
|
Most drivers being total mimsers wouldn't even think about it let alone do anything to help you.... :-)
Too true, Westpig, too true :-(
|
|
|
|
It's an interesting example of a case where someone changing lane can none the less have priority.
What is the rule on joining a motorway or other dual carriageway, if someone moves across from the outer lane into an inner lane that someone else is just joining? Technically the joiner has to "give way", but in practice we are encouraged to speed up and filter in.
|
In the final analysis discretion is the better part of valour. I try to make sure I'm reasonably confident where other traffic is going before I join a roundabout. It's doesn't do any good protesting that you were in the right after someone has collided with you.
--
L\'escargot.
|
The important thing is not to be on a collision course with anyone. I am a firm believer in barrelling through roundabouts at undiminished speed if possible, but a small upward or downward adjustment should prevent collisions. Of course the nervous mimser who starts to hesitate when you have already estimated his or her speed is an ever-present problem. As are those utterly moronic wooden fences designed to hide approaching traffic from the driver's view until he has stopped at the white line on the entry to the roundabout.
Whoever thought of this, and those council members who voted for it notably in Surrey, should be slowly and disgustingly tortured to death on worldwide television. That would have me (as well as Westpig) in fits of happy laughter.
|
To change the nature of the thread a little: on my journey to work:
The first exit of the roundabout - to a very rarely taken 'B' road - is to my eight o'clock;
The second exit to a motorway onslip is to my ten o'clock:
The third exit (which I want to take is to my twelve o'clock)
(Fourth is a motoway offslip; the fifth an entrance to a factory)
There are two lanes at the entrance to the roundabout but only one on each of the exits.
Now, I'm inclined to take the right-hand lane, as it's the third exit I want; many others take the left-hand lane: I imagine they feel that as so few people (if ever) take the 'B' road exit they discount it (even though approach signs do signpost it!).
Suggestions welcome!
AA
|
"The problem is when someone who's going round the roundabout in the outside lane exits in the inside lane."
I do this in a van for safety as i have had people driving right round in front of me on the outside cutting me off from the exit.
If i do exit in the outer lane of the exit, cars either blast past on the inside when I come off the RB or horn me for being slower than them and in the outer lane.
this is in a van with obvious restricted visibility at the rear quarters and its invariably women aged about 20 who really go for the horn and aggression in the rush hour,whichever option I take.
|
|
Once you are certain the other driver is indeed turning right, it would be OK to edge forward, since you would not actually be in anyone's path. But it depends on the nature of the roundabout. If in doubt, don't pull out!
|
Absolutely. If you don't trust what's in front of you you're mad not to hesitate.
Otherwise, foot hard down through the obvious route.
|
|
|
|
|
|
