Roundabouts, lane discipline and road markings

[NikBartlett]

The M4 J17 roundabout is in process of being upgraded, traffic lights added, extra lane on one side to add capacity, improved crossing points. Part of this has involved making the left hand lane of the 2 lane northbound A350 for M4 West only with right hand lane now for all for other exits. At the of writing this the road signs don't show this, only the markings on the road at and on the roundabout junction and the traffic lights are not yet operational which means you are concentrating on traffic approaching from the right. I use this junction everyday to go north across the roundabout so taking the 2nd exit and use the right hand lane as directed. Everyday I run the gauntlet of being taken out by drivers who ignore the new road markings and use the left hand lane go anything but down the M4 West as directed. If a collision were to occur on the roundabout how would an insurance company view it ? 100% liability for the driver in the wrong lane or a 50/50 as it's a roundabout collision which is hard to prove fault ? If a driver fails to follow the road markings then is that a clear driving without due care charge if they cause an accident or is the lack of signage before the roundabout a mitigating factor ?

[Turbobanana]

NikBartlett said:

The M4 J17 roundabout is in process of being upgraded, traffic lights added, extra lane on one side to add capacity, improved crossing points. Part of this has involved making the left hand lane of the 2 lane northbound A350 for M4 West only with right hand lane now for all for other exits. At the of writing this the road signs don't show this, only the markings on the road at and on the roundabout junction and the traffic lights are not yet operational which means you are concentrating on traffic approaching from the right. I use this junction everyday to go north across the roundabout so taking the 2nd exit and use the right hand lane as directed. Everyday I run the gauntlet of being taken out by drivers who ignore the new road markings and use the left hand lane go anything but down the M4 West as directed. If a collision were to occur on the roundabout how would an insurance company view it ? 100% liability for the driver in the wrong lane or a 50/50 as it's a roundabout collision which is hard to prove fault ? If a driver fails to follow the road markings then is that a clear driving without due care charge if they cause an accident or is the lack of signage before the roundabout a mitigating factor ?

I live in Milton Keynes - this is an every day occurrence. Most drivers regard abiding by road signs and markings as "advisory" rather than "mandatory". By and large it works out fine in the end, but you do need to keep your wits about you. Having plenty of experience driving in foreign countries helps a lot.

I have no answer to your actual question, sorry.

[TheDrownedApe]

I think PH history on roundabout accidents/near misses would suggest most (if not all) are judged 50/50.

Near us there are 4 with lane markings showing two on approach then zero on the roundabouts themselves. trust is easily lost

[rdjohn]

Turbobanana said:

I live in Milton Keynes - this is an every day occurrence. Most drivers regard abiding by road signs and markings as "advisory" rather than "mandatory". By and large it works out fine in the end, but you do need to keep your wits about you. Having plenty of experience driving in foreign countries helps a lot.

I have no answer to your actual question, sorry.

Rectangular signs and lane markings are advisory. Obviously, this does not include solid white lines, STOP and GIVE WAY markings which are mandatory.

[Turbobanana]

rdjohn said:

Turbobanana said:

I live in Milton Keynes - this is an every day occurrence. Most drivers regard abiding by road signs and markings as "advisory" rather than "mandatory". By and large it works out fine in the end, but you do need to keep your wits about you. Having plenty of experience driving in foreign countries helps a lot.

I have no answer to your actual question, sorry.

Rectangular signs and lane markings are advisory. Obviously, this does not include solid white lines, STOP and GIVE WAY markings which are mandatory.

Yeah, I get that, but people approach roundabouts differently and with widely varying levels of confidence.

It doesn't help that on a lot of the roads where there are "dedicated" lanes for left, right turns etc, the markings are positioned so near to the roundabouts that at busy times they are covered by stationary traffic, leading to all manner of panicked, last-minute lane swapping or desperate manoeuvres on roundabouts.

[Pica-Pica]

Never get alongside someone at a roundabout, if you cannot avoid it, take extra care. The Highway Code, says at the very start:
Rule H1
It is important that ALL road users are aware of The Highway Code, are considerate to other road users and understand their responsibility for the safety of others.
…
I would say unless there is incontrovertible evidence otherwise, it would be 50/50.

[donkmeister]

Turbobanana said:

rdjohn said:

Turbobanana said:

I live in Milton Keynes - this is an every day occurrence. Most drivers regard abiding by road signs and markings as "advisory" rather than "mandatory". By and large it works out fine in the end, but you do need to keep your wits about you. Having plenty of experience driving in foreign countries helps a lot.

I have no answer to your actual question, sorry.

Rectangular signs and lane markings are advisory. Obviously, this does not include solid white lines, STOP and GIVE WAY markings which are mandatory.

Yeah, I get that, but people approach roundabouts differently and with widely varying levels of confidence.

It doesn't help that on a lot of the roads where there are "dedicated" lanes for left, right turns etc, the markings are positioned so near to the roundabouts that at busy times they are covered by stationary traffic, leading to all manner of panicked, last-minute lane swapping or desperate manoeuvres on roundabouts.

I frequently drive in MK and people using the wrong lanes to go straight on the main dual carriageways can be a ball-ache. As you have three lanes to enter the roundabout, then a different set of three lanes on the roundabout, then two lanes to exit, you can find yourself having to brake to stop getting squeezed out by some twonk who decided the lanes should be used differently to how they are marked (and thus how everyone expects to use them). Given the propensity for some to try and carry DC speeds across the roundabouts it can make for an unpleasant experience.