Roundabout Question

[Moist_Van_Lipwig]

Hello everyone,

I'm looking for some guidance about how to approach a roundabout I have to navigate each week. A friend of mine is an advanced driver, and suggested I post my question on here.

I've recently started a new job, and as part of my duties, I have to visit a site in Eccles, Salford. The site is just off the M60, and to get there, I have to navigate the roundabout at Junction 11. In my first month (April 2016), I was involved in an accident as I entered the roundabout, and since then have been involved in several "near misses" - each one being an almost carbon copy of the first accident. Both insurance companies agreed that the accident was the fault of the other driver, and has been recorded as 'non fault' claim on my record.

It would be very easy to continue doing what I've always done, but the number of near misses has made me wonder if there is a better way to approach this. I don't fancy having another bump on my record, even if the chances are it would go down as another non fault claim.

This is the junction in question. I need to travel from slip road (point A), to Brookhouse Avenue (point B). I think it's worth pointing out that the google maps satellite image shown is out of date - the roundabout layout has changed, and it is now light controlled.



I normally select the left hand lane on the slip road, continue onto the roundabout in the left hand lane, and then exit on to Brookhouse Avenue.





The accident I had was the result of a driver in the right hand lane of the slip road turning into me, as he attempted to exit onto the merge lane on the A57 (first exit). Since then, I've had a number of drivers do the same, forcing me to turn left.

The problem seems to be that a lot of drivers expect the traffic in the left hand lane of the slip road to exit the roundabout at the first exit, not continue straight ahead. At peak times, the A57 gets very busy, and a lot of drivers try to bypass the cars waiting to turn left onto the A57, by using the right hand lane on the slip road, and then using the short merge lane to cut into the traffic. The driver that hit me told me that as it was a 2 lane exit, all cars in the left lane of the slip road should turn left, and that he had the right of way as a user of the merge lane.

Is there a better way to approach this roundabout? I really don't want the hassle of another accident!

Thank you for your time!

[Moist_Van_Lipwig]

Thank you all for taking the time to reply! There are some great suggestions

I think I will try using Lane two of the slip road the next time I'm on the roundabout, and see if that works. At busy times, the left hand lane on the roundabout is often filled with traffic queueing to enter the M60 at the third exit, but at least, even if no one allows me to change Lane, they won't be driving into me!

I've been driving for nearly twenty years - it's amazing how something like this can knock your confidence, and make you question your understanding of the rules of the road!

Edited by Moist_Van_Lipwig on Thursday 14th July 14:39

[Moist_Van_Lipwig]

Thanks ROG! Luckily, there is a set of lights controlling access onto the roundabout from exit 1, so hopefully shouldn't have to contend with existing traffic, and new traffic at the same time!

I tried using Lane 2 this morning - it felt very wrong to be approaching in the wrong Lane on purpose!