Right of way when exiting a roundabout?
Discussion
As far as I know, a pedestrian walking along a main road and crossing a side road has priority over a car which wants to turn into that side road.
What about roundabouts?
I have to negotiate a 3-way roundabout on my way to college. Built up area, exits evenly spaced, narrow roads and pavements, so the view along one of the 3 roads is restricted as a pedestrian. Cars coming along this road and wishing to take the first exit can easily see that their entry onto the roundabout is clear, so they rarely slow down. What they can't see until they are on the roundabout is me, as a pedestrian, crossing the road that they want to take as the exit.
Where I am crossing has dropped kerbs and a central reserve, set back a few metres from the roundabout. Had a few near misses here. Legally, who has priority?
What about roundabouts?
I have to negotiate a 3-way roundabout on my way to college. Built up area, exits evenly spaced, narrow roads and pavements, so the view along one of the 3 roads is restricted as a pedestrian. Cars coming along this road and wishing to take the first exit can easily see that their entry onto the roundabout is clear, so they rarely slow down. What they can't see until they are on the roundabout is me, as a pedestrian, crossing the road that they want to take as the exit.
Where I am crossing has dropped kerbs and a central reserve, set back a few metres from the roundabout. Had a few near misses here. Legally, who has priority?
Due to the layout and visibility issues, I can't see cars driving along this road until they are 3 or 4 metres from the roundabout. I should've said that it's a painted mini roundabout. The roundabout can look clear as I step off the kerb, but a car can be on top of me by the time I'm halfway across.
It's always me that takes avoiding action, either running to complete the crossing, or stepping backwards. The cars just keep going, like they haven't seen me at all. I know that I'm vulnerable on this crossing, so I'm continually looking over my right shoulder.
I'm just wondering where fault would lie if the worst happened. Having dropped kerbs and a central refuge, it's obviously designed as a crossing point, but there are no road markings to tell drivers to give way like there would be on the entry to a side road or crossing.
It's always me that takes avoiding action, either running to complete the crossing, or stepping backwards. The cars just keep going, like they haven't seen me at all. I know that I'm vulnerable on this crossing, so I'm continually looking over my right shoulder.
I'm just wondering where fault would lie if the worst happened. Having dropped kerbs and a central refuge, it's obviously designed as a crossing point, but there are no road markings to tell drivers to give way like there would be on the entry to a side road or crossing.
KevinCamaroSS said:
It may well be 'designed' as a crossing place, but, has it been designated as an official crossing with the correct hardware and signage? By what you say I suspect it is not. In your position I would simply walk down the road 10 or 15 metres and cross there, then walk back up the other side of the road. Much better to be safe than sorry.
At certain times of the day, that would be the best way to cross the road. Due to traffic flows, it would possibly be more dangerous for me.There is a lot more traffic approaching the roundabout on the road that I am crossing. I can cross this traffic safely, as it has often stopped and queued at the central refuge. Crossing further up the road would put me up against moving traffic in both directions, with no central refuge.
If I were to cross over before I got to the roundabout, there is no pavement on the other side.
I think the local authority have put the crossing point in the most suitable place at this junction, but maybe should've added a zebra crossing. It's possible that a zebra would make things worse though. Car drivers approaching the roundabout on the "blind" road wouldn't see the crossing in advance, and pedestrians may take more risks because they feel safer.
I've just looked at a government document showing recommended layouts and markings for mini roundabouts, and none of them show dashed lines on the exit lanes, only on the entry lanes. Looks like the exits aren't classified as side roads, so pedestrians don't have priority when crossing.
Jarcy said:
Really? I know that every day is a school day, but I would have thought that road users have priority on the road over pedestrians who are not on the road.
Even at a zebra crossing, my understanding is that the highway code says that you 'should' stop to let someone cross who is waiting on the pavement, but that the pedestrian only has right of way once he has set foot off the pavement onto the crossing.
I meant pedestrians who has started crossing, even if they had just put one foot onto the roadway. Personally, as a driver, I look out for pedestrians who may be about to cross, and prepare to give way. If they aren't looking my way, I'll stop.Even at a zebra crossing, my understanding is that the highway code says that you 'should' stop to let someone cross who is waiting on the pavement, but that the pedestrian only has right of way once he has set foot off the pavement onto the crossing.
The problem with the roundabout in question is poor sight lines for both pedestrians and drivers. It's made worse because drivers can clearly see that their entry onto the roundabout is clear, so they don't slow down at all. The fact that they can't see that their exit is clear doesn't seem to occur to some of them, they just drive through at 25 or 30.
mjb1 said:
Dunno about these days, but I remember as a young kid we had it drilled into us at school. Wouldn't surprise me if all they teach kids these days is that if a car hits you it's the drivers fault, along with all motorists are speeding, environment wrecking scum that should be using public transport instead. </Daily Mail rant>.
I'm surprised a mini round about has been created that introduces blind spots so serious that you can't possibly be aware of a car until it's about to hit you. They usually have nice, wide open layouts with good visibility all around.
Maybe the OP could post a google maps link (or otherwise state the location) of this particular roundabout?
Junction of Green Lane and Drump Road, Redruth, CornwallI'm surprised a mini round about has been created that introduces blind spots so serious that you can't possibly be aware of a car until it's about to hit you. They usually have nice, wide open layouts with good visibility all around.
Maybe the OP could post a google maps link (or otherwise state the location) of this particular roundabout?
Yes, I am walking along Green Lane, crossing Drump Road, from right to left in that picture. At about 17:30, so traffic heading down Drump Road to the roundabout is fairly heavy (rat run from industrial estate out to the A30). Fair amount of traffic comes from the right, and leaves the roundabout onto Drump Lane. Minimal traffic entering or exiting the roundabout from Green Lane on the left of the pic, so cars coming from Green Lane on the right and going into Drump Road often don't slow down at all.
When I do the return journey at 21:30, it's a lot easier to see any cars, plus there are a lot less of them.
Further up Green Lane (to the right) is a 20 limit, with plenty of speed humps. Simple solution would be to just extend this down to the roundabout, so the traffic is going a bit slower.
When I do the return journey at 21:30, it's a lot easier to see any cars, plus there are a lot less of them.
Further up Green Lane (to the right) is a 20 limit, with plenty of speed humps. Simple solution would be to just extend this down to the roundabout, so the traffic is going a bit slower.
Edited by clockworks on Friday 13th January 14:15
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