''Taking the racing line''
Discussion
I was pulled last week for going around a large, dry, deserted motorway roundabout at a fair pace, although not exceeding the 50 limit. Claimed i was driving dangerously, as i ''clipped the apex''. Did i actually do anything wrong at all? Got off with a condescending mild bollocking by the roadside...i didnt know of differential speed limits on roundabouts!
RickApple said:
I was pulled last week for going around a large, dry, deserted motorway roundabout at a fair pace, although not exceeding the 50 limit. Claimed i was driving dangerously, as i ''clipped the apex''. Did i actually do anything wrong at all? Got off with a condescending mild bollocking by the roadside...i didnt know of differential speed limits on roundabouts!
If it was, as you say, deserted, I see nothing wrong with what you did. I do the same sort of thing (smoothly and elegantly of course
) so long as there is no one else near enough for it to cause them inconvenience or concern. Although you were within the speed limit, did you do it in a hairy looking fashion, bit of tyre squeal etc.?
Careful now, 'gone' may be watching!
Best wishes all,
Dave.
leosayer said:
I always straight-line roundabouts if it doesn't affect anyone else. Did it before, during and after my IAM observed drives and test (which I passed).
On one of these advanced driving days I was also told to straight-line roundabouts where possible.
Although I am reluctant to so just in case someone has got into my blind spot un-noticed.
Dwight VanDriver said:
Interesting as on my advanced course we were taught to straighten the road out. But that was last century and I gather that it's frowned on now adays --- lane discipline at all costs.
FiF what did your Instructor dictate?.
DVD
My IAM Observer had me straightening out roundabouts where there weren't lanes indicated through the roundabout, the correct indicated lane on the way in and then straight across.
I took my test like that a couple of weeks ago and it was commented on by my examiner that this was the correct method.
Dwight VanDriver said:
Interesting as on my advanced course we were taught to straighten the road out. But that was last century and I gather that it's frowned on now adays --- lane discipline at all costs.
FiF what did your Instructor dictate?.
DVD
Straighten it out, but (and a very very huge J-Lo size but) you really really really really have to have eyes in the back of your head AND use them or its a botty smacking on a scale that would cause overload on vixpy1's PC. Not to mention the bill for buns at the tea spot would double.
As it happened on last test there was no opportunity to straighten the line, and so lane descipline was observed. Good job perhaps considering the following.
One thing my instructor and examiner disagreed on was signalling on roundabouts.
I was taught signal when somebody to gain advantage. Examiner was of the school signal regardless on roundabouts as there is so much happening at once from so many directions. But then he couldn't cite a single instance where I didn't indicate and yet he considered there had been someone who could have taken advantage of the signal, so he shot himself in foot with that. To be honest that confused me that two people who worked together could have such opposing opinions, but hey ho I got a thumbs up.
FiF
>> Edited by Flat in Fifth on Wednesday 18th May 21:29
I don't know about the IAM, but I straight line roundabouts. Often I'll go straight over the top of a mini roundabout (maybe the wrong side).
Locally we have a few big rundabouts with a filter lane that is dedicated to a left turn, and in which you don't have to give way. When it's quiet, there's nothing to stop you using this lane to get a straighter line. There's no kerb or anything.
I must say that even if it's quiet I'll not use that lane to straighten the roundabout. I think I'd feel like the hand of god would strike me down!
It's funny how we all get our own interpretation of the rules. You know, which ones are more important than which other.
In the end, "GIVE WAY TO THE RIGHT" seem like the most important one to me. I suppose thats why I feel uncomfortable blurring the need to give way, and not.
It could potentially be a very nasty habit!
>> Edited by dilbert on Wednesday 18th May 22:00
Locally we have a few big rundabouts with a filter lane that is dedicated to a left turn, and in which you don't have to give way. When it's quiet, there's nothing to stop you using this lane to get a straighter line. There's no kerb or anything.
I must say that even if it's quiet I'll not use that lane to straighten the roundabout. I think I'd feel like the hand of god would strike me down!
It's funny how we all get our own interpretation of the rules. You know, which ones are more important than which other.
In the end, "GIVE WAY TO THE RIGHT" seem like the most important one to me. I suppose thats why I feel uncomfortable blurring the need to give way, and not.
It could potentially be a very nasty habit!
>> Edited by dilbert on Wednesday 18th May 22:00
I didn't know roundabouts were a 50-limit.
And no, I don't think there's anything wrong with straight-lining. If I'm in the "wrong" mood, my line on a r-bout usually has more to do with where the slow cars aren't...and on the big under/over M-way junctions you've a lot of leeway to get past people!!!
And no, I don't think there's anything wrong with straight-lining. If I'm in the "wrong" mood, my line on a r-bout usually has more to do with where the slow cars aren't...and on the big under/over M-way junctions you've a lot of leeway to get past people!!!
I straight line roundabouts when I know that they are clear and that there isnt anything in my blindspot.
When I'd been driving about a year and a passenger of mine had just passed his test he gave me the biggest bollocking about doing it while he was in the car! It was a bit rich as hes written off 2 cars in the last 10months and normally drives with one hand on the wheel and 1 one tucked under his leg on the seat
. I dont go in a car with him any more.
When I'd been driving about a year and a passenger of mine had just passed his test he gave me the biggest bollocking about doing it while he was in the car! It was a bit rich as hes written off 2 cars in the last 10months and normally drives with one hand on the wheel and 1 one tucked under his leg on the seat
. I dont go in a car with him any more.havoc said:Eh? Roundabouts bear the same limit as the major road they are situate in. The Shepherd and Flock Roundabout (actually a circulatory system) is 70 ... and before the traffic signals were installed, I regularly took it at such a speed - Streaky
I didn't know roundabouts were a 50-limit.
Flat in Fifth said:
botty smacking on a scale that would cause overload on vixpy1's PC. Not to mention the bill for buns at the tea spot would double.
For some reason that made me guffaw whisky down my nose.
Phil
and before anyone asks, I've just finished a night shift, and "winding down"
towman said:
What you on at the moment Phil? I`m back on bloody Business Post to that shithole at J5. Still, it pays the bills.
Bloody hell mate ! as usual with our trade missed you by a whisker. I was on that a couple of weeks ago. Nice area isn't it ?
I told 'em to shove it in the end, was the last driver away, and getting all the shite. I'll bump into you yet !
On wincanton, doing the flower run from Chichester, easy money! only pain in the arse is doing 40 all the way down the A35......as if!
Phil
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