How do I Approach These Roundabouts?

[Fatman2]

Hi all

I'm not an advanced driver but try to improve constantly (sometime failing completely!). Anyway, since another post in this forum I've decided to be non agressive so have changed my commute to work. Unfortunately it involves this roundabout that causes me problems on a daily basis. It's a two lane roundabout, which subsequently splits into three lanes. However, I believe the road markings split into two lanes on the outside lane (the one I usually take). This seems to get me into trouble no-end as I always get either beeped at or cars that cut me up. I've tried different approaches from the downright agressive, out accelerate, to being passive but get caught out all the time. Maybe I'm approaching in the wrong lane so any advice would be appreciated.

The two approaches are near identical and shown in the streetviews below.

In this one I enter from the outside lane with a view to sticking in the middle lane, to go straight ahead. Today, in slow moving traffic, I was side by side with a car that tried to ram into the side of me. The driver subsequently started gesticulating madly in my rear view mirror.

First Approach

This one is identical but normally faster due to the time of morning I go to work and the fact that the road splits further round the roundabout.

Second Approach

I guess the simplest answer is to approach on the nearside lane but am battling with the advice I was given, by an ex police driving instructor, who said that I should stick to the route I wish to take to make the best/most efficient progress (obviously taking into account any hazzards). However, I'm wondering if I'm either in the wrong or should just go for the easy life.

Thanks

[Glosphil]

Can't understand your Google views. The first view seems to show your route as over the grass verge when travelling under the motorway bridge!!!

[7db]

Isn't the lane indicated on the road in big letters? Which exit are you taking? If it's the A602 it's the nearside lane.

Whilst that's not legally enforceable instruction it does set an expectation in other drivers' minds. It's also worth renoting here the advice never to go round a roundabout with anyone else and also if you must cut in, cut in being overtaken, not overtaking: people are more accepting of it.

[Fatman2]

7db said:

Isn't the lane indicated on the road in big letters? Which exit are you taking? If it's the A602 it's the nearside lane.

Whilst that's not legally enforceable instruction it does set an expectation in other drivers' minds. It's also worth renoting here the advice never to go round a roundabout with anyone else and also if you must cut in, cut in being overtaken, not overtaking: people are more accepting of it.

Yes it is but I get into trouble so often that it's making me question myself.

The way I interpret the markings is that the near side lane (from the dual carriageway on approach) follows the near side on the roundabout, whilst the outside lane follows the outside lane on the roundabout (obvious enough). The outside lane subsequently divides into two lanes. I don't know if it is clear but the markings show the divide clearly staggered so that the dividing line starts further round the roundabout (if this makes sense!).

As the roundabout is so big then it is often impractical not to go round with anyone else as normally you are simply following the flow of traffic. I would totally agree for any other 'regular' roundabout but perhaps not one of this size.

Apologies if the google maps didn't work as planned.

Eta, yes it is the 602 to hitchin but the 602 exit is also dual carriageway too.

Edited by Fatman2 on Wednesday 15th August 06:31

[R0G]

I got this ...

Entering from hitchin road....
Lane 1 leads to the first exit (A1s) and both 602 lanes (1+2)
Lane 2 leads to both A1 north lanes (2+3)

This means that BOTH lanes have the same right to lane 2

Not a very clever set up !!!!!!!!!!!!

[Fatman2]

Well this is Stevenage we're talking about ;-)