Consistency of roundabout lanes and marking
Discussion
Having just come back from a recent trip to North Wales I was struck by how appallingly little consistency there is when it comes to roundabouts and which lane does what. Too often you'd be approaching a roundabout in the left lane to go straight over when at the last second the road markings show a left only arrow and you're screwed. This would be despite the previous roundabout 1 mile earlier on the same bit of road allowing left and straight on from the left lane.
Who comes up with these things and why oh why are the markings always about 20 feet from the roundabout where 99% of the time it's too late to do anything? Probably my number one cause of frustration and explains why so many people get roundabouts wrong as they try and change lanes halfway round.
Is it just me that thinks this?
Who comes up with these things and why oh why are the markings always about 20 feet from the roundabout where 99% of the time it's too late to do anything? Probably my number one cause of frustration and explains why so many people get roundabouts wrong as they try and change lanes halfway round.
Is it just me that thinks this?
I find that it varies, some council area's are better than others. There now seems to be a need for councils to buy white paint and a then think they need a use for it. It is not usual to come across a roundabout where you follow the route in then be stuck needing to get across as it has just become the direction you do not want. Coldra (Newport M way Junction) in S Wales was a case in point until the re did the junction.
The biggest issue I have with this is the local yokels who know the area but will give you no slack when you are quite obviously at the mercy of a poor layout.
The biggest issue I have with this is the local yokels who know the area but will give you no slack when you are quite obviously at the mercy of a poor layout.
thecremeegg said:
Having just come back from a recent trip to North Wales I was struck by how appallingly little consistency there is when it comes to roundabouts and which lane does what. Too often you'd be approaching a roundabout in the left lane to go straight over when at the last second the road markings show a left only arrow and you're screwed. This would be despite the previous roundabout 1 mile earlier on the same bit of road allowing left and straight on from the left lane.
Who comes up with these things and why oh why are the markings always about 20 feet from the roundabout where 99% of the time it's too late to do anything? Probably my number one cause of frustration and explains why so many people get roundabouts wrong as they try and change lanes halfway round.
Is it just me that thinks this?
I agree. They never have signs up! Always a single, small arrow painted on the road which will be covered by a car.Who comes up with these things and why oh why are the markings always about 20 feet from the roundabout where 99% of the time it's too late to do anything? Probably my number one cause of frustration and explains why so many people get roundabouts wrong as they try and change lanes halfway round.
Is it just me that thinks this?
Then there's the current trend of marking right-hand (= right turn) lanes with only 'straight ahead' arrows, presumably as mouth-breathers have been known to turn right (at the give-way line) without bothering to go around the roundabout?
Dumbing down, once more making it more difficult for real drivers.
Dumbing down, once more making it more difficult for real drivers.
Cliftonite said:
Then there's the current trend of marking right-hand (= right turn) lanes with only 'straight ahead' arrows, presumably as mouth-breathers have been known to turn right (at the give-way line) without bothering to go around the roundabout?
Dumbing down, once more making it more difficult for real drivers.
Ah yes,this always confuses me as well. Since when on a 3 exit roundabout does right mean straight on? Dumbing down, once more making it more difficult for real drivers.
thecremeegg said:
Who comes up with these things and why oh why are the markings always about 20 feet from the roundabout where 99% of the time it's too late to do anything? Probably my number one cause of frustration and explains why so many people get roundabouts wrong as they try and change lanes halfway round.
Is it just me that thinks this?
No not just you. I thought of this problem as soon as I read the subject. Busy roundabouts can be queued back 100m and the cars obscure the painted arrows.Is it just me that thinks this?
Same with traffic lights where some have a turn-right-only lane and others allow straight on also.
garycat said:
No not just you. I thought of this problem as soon as I read the subject. Busy roundabouts can be queued back 100m and the cars obscure the painted arrows.
Same with traffic lights where some have a turn-right-only lane and others allow straight on also.
Particular issue on many roads in central London too IME.Same with traffic lights where some have a turn-right-only lane and others allow straight on also.
Makes you look a right knob where a road which was previously straight on suddenly becomes left/right turn only and you have to try to merge across.
It's a big issue to me. There are areas around here where the left lane is consistently left only, and then you head somewhere else and it's usual left/ahead.
Markings on the road are usually next to useless, too close to the roundabout, and your only chance to see them is if you leave a big enough gap for a car to your right to nip into.
There seems to be an issue with roadsign clutter, but if there's not going to be a consistent approach, then it's something that needs signs. Especially as locals are pretty unforgiving. Although I'm extremely unforgiving on one roundabout near here that is clearly marked by signs over 200yds before the roundabout that the left lane is left only, and I still regularly get sliced up from the left.
It'd be nice to see an improvement in the signs and lane markings around more complex roundabouts too. I suspect some on here will be familiar with the roundabout at Lydiate Ash. I use it all the time coming from the A491 heading on to the M5 south. It's a nightmare, with people entering the roundabout from the A491 in the middle lane, which should be used for the A38 North or South exits, not the M5 south exit. The lane markings are confusing, as it initially suggests that the lane can be used for ahead and right, but it means the 2nd and 3rd exits, not the 4th exit. By the time the lane markings are clear, you're usually in a queue of traffic waiting for lights and won't have seen them.
Markings on the road are usually next to useless, too close to the roundabout, and your only chance to see them is if you leave a big enough gap for a car to your right to nip into.
There seems to be an issue with roadsign clutter, but if there's not going to be a consistent approach, then it's something that needs signs. Especially as locals are pretty unforgiving. Although I'm extremely unforgiving on one roundabout near here that is clearly marked by signs over 200yds before the roundabout that the left lane is left only, and I still regularly get sliced up from the left.
It'd be nice to see an improvement in the signs and lane markings around more complex roundabouts too. I suspect some on here will be familiar with the roundabout at Lydiate Ash. I use it all the time coming from the A491 heading on to the M5 south. It's a nightmare, with people entering the roundabout from the A491 in the middle lane, which should be used for the A38 North or South exits, not the M5 south exit. The lane markings are confusing, as it initially suggests that the lane can be used for ahead and right, but it means the 2nd and 3rd exits, not the 4th exit. By the time the lane markings are clear, you're usually in a queue of traffic waiting for lights and won't have seen them.
Edited by Ahimoth on Sunday 23 November 13:26
This has been an issue for a couple of years or so now.
You actually need local knowledge these days.
I can show you at least one in Worcester that actually wants you to exit at the 3 o'clock exit, and use the nearside lane to traverse the island.
None here now show any marking that indicates you may wish to turn right from the island (on approach), as they are worried the eastern europeans (why eastern I'm unsure), will go around the island in an anticlockwise direction.
You actually need local knowledge these days.
I can show you at least one in Worcester that actually wants you to exit at the 3 o'clock exit, and use the nearside lane to traverse the island.
None here now show any marking that indicates you may wish to turn right from the island (on approach), as they are worried the eastern europeans (why eastern I'm unsure), will go around the island in an anticlockwise direction.
I find most drivers tend to ignore roundabout markings these days. Last week I winessed a Polish guy first pull onto a rounadbout right in front of a artic, which had to break and swerve to avoid. I then joined the roundabout, and the Pole then meandered across three lanes and back again without indication. Stunning 30 seconds of driving.
They've gone one step even more ridiculous near me, one of the roundabouts has left hand lane markings telling you it's ok to get in the lane & turn right! It's to help the flow of traffic as the main route through is left one way, right the other. So coming in the opposite direction it tells you it's ok to get in the right hand lane to turn left!
This one is a classic for anyone who isn't local.On the roundabout lanes 2 and 3 are suddenly marked as turn right and then become three lanes before the right exit.In which case anyone who approached in lane 3 gets trapped on the roundabout.
www.google.com/maps/@51.3798597,-0.2814157,3a,75y,...
www.google.com/maps/@51.3798597,-0.2814157,3a,75y,...
Ozzie Osmond said:
I am completely convinced that there are some roundabouts where "no lane is the correct lane".
Mind you, there are even more drivers who think "so long as I drive round the outside I can use any exit I like and don't need to use my indicator".
And these days, they are correct !Mind you, there are even more drivers who think "so long as I drive round the outside I can use any exit I like and don't need to use my indicator".
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