Has the rules on roundabouts changed over the last 15 years?
Specifically, the code says on a roundabout:
to turn left use the left hand approach lane and signal left (makes sense).
for any intermediary exit, do not signal, approach in the left hand lane or centre lane on a 3 lane road (on a 2 lane road you may approach in the RH lane if the LH lane is blocked) Stay in this lane until you need to alter courseto exit. Signal left after you have passed the exit b4 the one you want.
When taking the last exit or going full circle signal right and approach in the right hand lane. keep right until you need to change lanes to exit the roundabout. Signal left after you have passed the exit b4 the one you want.
I thought it used to say to go straight across don't indicate on approach and don't indicate on exit and approach in the *right* hand* lane.
to turn right approach in the right lane indicate right, and then left b4 exit.
The illustrated roundabout has five exits, the purple car is taking an intermediary exit (not the last one) but the car approaches in the right hand lane, not following the code. This is how I would do it too but it is not how the code says to do it.
Has anyone got an older copy of the code and you could look this up for me. I've allways thought to go straight across, you should approach in the right lane, *unless otherwise indicated.
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Has anyone got an older copy of the code and you could look this up for me. I've allways thought to go straight across, you should approach in the right lane, *unless otherwise indicated.
My 1978 HC says when going ahead approach in the left lane, unless conditions dictate otherwise (left lane blocked)
Signal on exit.
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Thanks Doc
I can't understand why I've allways thought RH lane.
I will try to change my habit, it's been 15 years.
"Left hand lane Blocked" what exactly does this mean?
If it means simply that there is traffic in this lane waiting to go over the roundabout, the result could be that you use the right hand lane and end up along side someone on the roundabout who is going to the same exit as you are. Which usually leads to sparks flying.
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I always assume that the left hand lane (of two lanes) is the 'default' position for going straight ahead at roundabouts. If road markings dictate otherwise, or there are 2 lanes on the straight ahead exit, it's sometimes OK to negotiate the roundabout beside another vehicle that's also going straight on.
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How do you know, for certain, that it's going straight on? That is not an adverse criticism of your poest, just a thought that arises.
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Like this?
www.highwaycode.gov.uk/17.shtml#160
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And you know for certain that the other guy a) has read it and b) observes it? Surely not an advisable assumption to make.
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How about the only safe course of action is "Do as per HC - and watch out for the plonkers"?
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. . . as the text under the diagram makes clear -- it advises you to be aware of the fact that other drivers may not be signalling correctly, or at all, and that is my point. Plus the fact that, in the real world, heavy congestion on the lanes can force drivers into a less than ideal route.. Anticipate, anticipate, anticipate.
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Sorry, Older_not_wiser. We hit the button at the same time. I take your point.
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Like this? www.highwaycode.gov.uk/17.shtml#160
Well That's not what my highway code book says. I typed it above word for word. It clearly says the default lane for any intermediary exit is the left hand lane.
This link just says choose the appropriate lane, which to me is the right hand lane.
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