Priority at a 3 way roundabout
Discussion
If you’re at a 3 way roundabout.
You’re at the 6 o’clock position
A car approaches on your right at the 3 o’clock position
Another car approaches on your left at 9 o’clock
Who should yield?
I was in this situation yesterday and nobody could decide so I decided to go as it was over 30 seconds!
Sorry for the dumb question.
You’re at the 6 o’clock position
A car approaches on your right at the 3 o’clock position
Another car approaches on your left at 9 o’clock
Who should yield?
I was in this situation yesterday and nobody could decide so I decided to go as it was over 30 seconds!
Sorry for the dumb question.
Edited by anonymous-user on Tuesday 21st September 21:11
Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 22 September 22:25
Traffic to your right has priority. So, give way to traffic on your right is the rule/principle.
But, as often happens, as in your case, the driver to your right, the one who has priority, isn't sure of the rule/is confused/is nervous/is waiting for someone else to make a decision, then you have to take the initiative and slowly edge forward while all the time watching for a reaction from the other two drivers, particularly the one to your right. Usually it's fine because the driver to your left understands the rule and is waiting for you to take the initiative.
It's a situation I often come across on mini-roundabouts nowadays.
Edited to add: it doesn't matter whether it's a 3-way, 4-way, or 5-way roundabout, the principle is the same.
But, as often happens, as in your case, the driver to your right, the one who has priority, isn't sure of the rule/is confused/is nervous/is waiting for someone else to make a decision, then you have to take the initiative and slowly edge forward while all the time watching for a reaction from the other two drivers, particularly the one to your right. Usually it's fine because the driver to your left understands the rule and is waiting for you to take the initiative.
It's a situation I often come across on mini-roundabouts nowadays.
Edited to add: it doesn't matter whether it's a 3-way, 4-way, or 5-way roundabout, the principle is the same.
Edited by johnao on Wednesday 22 September 08:54
johnao said:
Traffic to your right has priority. So, give way to traffic on your right is the rule/principle.
But, as often happens, as in your case, the driver to your right, the one who has priority, isn't sure of the rule/is confused/is nervous/is waiting for someone else to make a decision, then you have to take the initiative and slowly edge forward while all the time watching for a reaction from the other two drivers, particularly the one to your right. Usually it's fine because the driver to your left understands the rule and is waiting for you to take the initiative.
It's a situation I often come across on mini-roundabouts nowadays.
Edited to add: it doesn't matter whether it's a 3-way, 4-way, or 5-way roundabout, the principle is the same.
Drivers are often nervous as people turning right will often cut the turn, for example 3 could reach the line a little ahead of 9 and it would be perfectly viable for 3 to proceed and 9 to enter as they cross and turn behind them, however quite often they decide 3 should have given way and deliberately turn into their path early on the entry.But, as often happens, as in your case, the driver to your right, the one who has priority, isn't sure of the rule/is confused/is nervous/is waiting for someone else to make a decision, then you have to take the initiative and slowly edge forward while all the time watching for a reaction from the other two drivers, particularly the one to your right. Usually it's fine because the driver to your left understands the rule and is waiting for you to take the initiative.
It's a situation I often come across on mini-roundabouts nowadays.
Edited to add: it doesn't matter whether it's a 3-way, 4-way, or 5-way roundabout, the principle is the same.
Edited by johnao on Wednesday 22 September 08:54
As you say you keep an eye on the other drivers and edge forwards gently to take the initiative so everyone can then go on their way. If I see a three way simultaneous arrival about to happen I'll sometimes slow earlier so the other two can sort themselves out first, whichever direction you are approaching from there should be an opportunity to proceed once they have gone so it doesn't really matter if you are last, it is still better than coming to a stop and staring at one another.
Some roundabouts have gibe ways sign on the approach to one enterance and there are such marking on the road too.
Obviously the car at that entrance has to give way and that allows the other two to go in the order they should. Not that anyone notices. Those give ways might as well not be there.
Obviously the car at that entrance has to give way and that allows the other two to go in the order they should. Not that anyone notices. Those give ways might as well not be there.
The good news is that the sort of people who find themselves in this situation by definition aren't the sort who blast onto roundabouts with their hand hovering over the horn, so proceeding with caution is unlikely to result in tears as the person to your right is unlikely to suddenly floor it at the same time as you pulling away, so you might need to stop after a foot or so but no big deal.
If you are at the roundabout, and the other two cars are approaching the roundabout, then you should be the one to go. You give way to vehicles to your right on the roundabout if the other cars are not yet on it, proceed with caution before they get there.
I realise that this goes against the previous suggestion to hold back to reach the roundabout last and take advantage of the other cars stopping, but I think that's wrong.
I realise that this goes against the previous suggestion to hold back to reach the roundabout last and take advantage of the other cars stopping, but I think that's wrong.
Desiderata said:
If you are at the roundabout, and the other two cars are approaching the roundabout, then you should be the one to go. You give way to vehicles to your right on the roundabout if the other cars are not yet on it, proceed with caution before they get there.
I realise that this goes against the previous suggestion to hold back to reach the roundabout last and take advantage of the other cars stopping, but I think that's wrong.
Mini roundabouts are a little different as you should be prepared to give way to traffic on your right approaching the line if they are proceeding straight on. My understanding is that if they have a view to the right and can see it is clear they will expect to proceed and if you pull out just before they reach the line there may be insufficient space for them to stop.I realise that this goes against the previous suggestion to hold back to reach the roundabout last and take advantage of the other cars stopping, but I think that's wrong.
Pragmatically if you can see there is nothing to stop the vehicle approaching from the right from continuing across the roundabout and there isn't room for you to either get out of the way or for them to react to you pulling in front of them then don't.
If three cars arrive at a mini roundabout simultaneously, then the give way to the right rule is, er a failure. You could all sit there looking at each other forever. If give way to the LEFT, was substituted, all 3 could move together, and pass behind the car coming from their left. Think about it.
robinessex said:
If three cars arrive at a mini roundabout simultaneously, then the give way to the right rule is, er a failure. You could all sit there looking at each other forever. If give way to the LEFT, was substituted, all 3 could move together, and pass behind the car coming from their left.
Think about it.
I did think about it...the way you scrolled through to page 6 of the Advanced Driving topic before you found an 18 month old thread to comment on.Think about it.
You must have plenty of time on your hands today.
Ron240 said:
robinessex said:
If three cars arrive at a mini roundabout simultaneously, then the give way to the right rule is, er a failure. You could all sit there looking at each other forever. If give way to the LEFT, was substituted, all 3 could move together, and pass behind the car coming from their left.
Think about it.
I did think about it...the way you scrolled through to page 6 of the Advanced Driving topic before you found an 18 month old thread to comment on.Think about it.
You must have plenty of time on your hands today.
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