Roundabout - lane discipline
Discussion
I stumbled upon an "interesting" thread on Reddit. Nothing to do with me.... but what I did find interesting was that a seemingly simple question "which lane should I be in" on a smallish roundabout with 4 (not the usual 3) exits, and arrows painted on the road, caused a pretty much 50:50 split between "it's definitely the left lane" and "it's definitely the right lane".
Here is the original thread (but I might suggest visiting it after considering it for yourself as it's a rabbit hole) - https://www.reddit.com/r/drivingUK/comments/1rk5p9...
I will try to keep this as factual as possible to not misguide, nor give my own opinion first. The below is the scenario (I have deliberately given what you'd see if approaching this for the very first time).
Question - to take the second exit, do you use the left or right lane?
The split on Reddit broadly falls into two camps:
1) "You obviously use the right lane for the 2nd exit, because the arrow on the left lane points left which means you should only use that for the 1st exit"
2) "You obviously use the left lane for the 2nd exit, because the 2nd exit is shown on the sign as a left turn and the arrow in the left lane points left"
What do the good folks of Pistonheads feel about this? I am assuming everyone here are fairly keen and experienced drivers!
Here is the original thread (but I might suggest visiting it after considering it for yourself as it's a rabbit hole) - https://www.reddit.com/r/drivingUK/comments/1rk5p9...
I will try to keep this as factual as possible to not misguide, nor give my own opinion first. The below is the scenario (I have deliberately given what you'd see if approaching this for the very first time).
Question - to take the second exit, do you use the left or right lane?
The split on Reddit broadly falls into two camps:
1) "You obviously use the right lane for the 2nd exit, because the arrow on the left lane points left which means you should only use that for the 1st exit"
2) "You obviously use the left lane for the 2nd exit, because the 2nd exit is shown on the sign as a left turn and the arrow in the left lane points left"
What do the good folks of Pistonheads feel about this? I am assuming everyone here are fairly keen and experienced drivers!
Edited by jdoubleu on Friday 6th March 14:42
Edited by jdoubleu on Friday 6th March 14:45
The correct answer begins with the words, "It depends...".
The practical answer is, "whichever lane gets you through the roundabout with the maximum safety and minimum inconvenience for both you and everyone else."
The safest answer has already been given as, "assume other vehicles could be in any lane for any exit...".
Is there a prize?
The practical answer is, "whichever lane gets you through the roundabout with the maximum safety and minimum inconvenience for both you and everyone else."
The safest answer has already been given as, "assume other vehicles could be in any lane for any exit...".
Is there a prize?
Strangely Brown said:
The correct answer begins with the words, "It depends...".
The practical answer is, "whichever lane gets you through the roundabout with the maximum safety and minimum inconvenience for both you and everyone else."
The safest answer has already been given as, "assume other vehicles could be in any lane for any exit...".
Is there a prize?
The correct answer is that it depends on your mindset. If you are a Bruv or a ditzy, you straight line the roundabout in any lane you like and cut others up, because #me.The practical answer is, "whichever lane gets you through the roundabout with the maximum safety and minimum inconvenience for both you and everyone else."
The safest answer has already been given as, "assume other vehicles could be in any lane for any exit...".
Is there a prize?
No prizes, sorry. I guess the interesting thing to me is that at a straw poll - most people on Reddit seemed to go with the side of "you must take 2nd exit in the right lane as the left arrow in the left lane means 1st exit only".
That is the opposite of my default (and it seems the above all agree) that the likely intention of the signage is that this roundabout has 2 left exits and therefore you are best to take 2nd exit in the left lane.
I would of course take with caution myself and give as much space as needed in case I get cut up. Let's be honest - this can happen any time.
That is the opposite of my default (and it seems the above all agree) that the likely intention of the signage is that this roundabout has 2 left exits and therefore you are best to take 2nd exit in the left lane.
I would of course take with caution myself and give as much space as needed in case I get cut up. Let's be honest - this can happen any time.
Whoever thinks painting arrows on the road that close to the roundabout is helpful should be taken out and shot at dawn.
As their is likely to be stationary traffic on top of the arrows, anyone new to the area is likely to end up in the wrong lane and those that know it well are likely to be intolerant of them changing lane at the last moment.
My opinion was left lane like the above.
The arrows being for guidance only are as useful as a chocolate tea pot.
As their is likely to be stationary traffic on top of the arrows, anyone new to the area is likely to end up in the wrong lane and those that know it well are likely to be intolerant of them changing lane at the last moment.
My opinion was left lane like the above.
The arrows being for guidance only are as useful as a chocolate tea pot.
Dixy said:
Whoever thinks painting arrows on the road that close to the roundabout is helpful should be taken out and shot at dawn.
As their is likely to be stationary traffic on top of the arrows, anyone new to the area is likely to end up in the wrong lane and those that know it well are likely to be intolerant of them changing lane at the last moment.
My opinion was left lane like the above.
The arrows being for guidance only are as useful as a chocolate tea pot.
To be somewhat fair, there are repeated arrows earlier (closer to the sign) that I did not show on the photos. But your point is valid and why it would be tough to be specific about what is expected with road markings when they can easily be obscured and often faded.As their is likely to be stationary traffic on top of the arrows, anyone new to the area is likely to end up in the wrong lane and those that know it well are likely to be intolerant of them changing lane at the last moment.
My opinion was left lane like the above.
The arrows being for guidance only are as useful as a chocolate tea pot.
Looks to me like the first exit is a minor road and therefore doesn't get its own arrow. So left lane covers both left exits.
'Straight on' looks pretty clear on the sign to be the continuation of the road you're entering from. I am amazed there are many (any) people who think the right hand lane in this case would be appropriate for second exit.
What I have found is most of the people commenting on the Reddit Driving UK forum have no clue.
'Straight on' looks pretty clear on the sign to be the continuation of the road you're entering from. I am amazed there are many (any) people who think the right hand lane in this case would be appropriate for second exit.
What I have found is most of the people commenting on the Reddit Driving UK forum have no clue.
The Highway code is not very helpful in this case.
If the road had written in it "Turn Left" then a "left" arrow, you would have to turn left as it is compulsory.
However
This approach just has a left arrow (lane 1) and a double headed arrow for straight on and right so it is "Appropriate" guidance only.
If I was driving this road for the first time I would likely have selected lane 2 on approach if I was going straight on as the guide is "appropriate".... but
The difficulty is taking the second exit from lane 2, and getting across at the appropriate time safely after the mid point of the 1st exit, if I couldn't I would put on right signal, go around the roundabout and then try to exit .
If I knew this roundabout, and found that taking lane 1 on approach, not signalling left until passing the 1st exit then signalling left was the safest way then I would do that. You would need to have your signalling spot on properly timed and correct and be prepared to "give way" rather than risk having an accident
How busy is exit 2?
It looks like it may be a minor road owing to the vehicle restrictions and may not be that hazardous to enter and leave?
Are there many accidents on it?
On looking at the overhead shot of the roundabout after I wrote the above , it looks like I would more than likely take lane 1 on approach to exit 2nd exit, and be looking around me to make sure someone from the inside track of the roundabout was not going to T bone me from my off side as I passed the first exit.
An interesting one, but, if you are slightly behind or along side another vehicle you shouldn't assume they are going to do what you think, leave space and time to react and avoid, and ideally try to avoid going alongside someone and possibly be in their blind spot!
If the road had written in it "Turn Left" then a "left" arrow, you would have to turn left as it is compulsory.
However
This approach just has a left arrow (lane 1) and a double headed arrow for straight on and right so it is "Appropriate" guidance only.
If I was driving this road for the first time I would likely have selected lane 2 on approach if I was going straight on as the guide is "appropriate".... but
The difficulty is taking the second exit from lane 2, and getting across at the appropriate time safely after the mid point of the 1st exit, if I couldn't I would put on right signal, go around the roundabout and then try to exit .
If I knew this roundabout, and found that taking lane 1 on approach, not signalling left until passing the 1st exit then signalling left was the safest way then I would do that. You would need to have your signalling spot on properly timed and correct and be prepared to "give way" rather than risk having an accident
How busy is exit 2?
It looks like it may be a minor road owing to the vehicle restrictions and may not be that hazardous to enter and leave?
Are there many accidents on it?
On looking at the overhead shot of the roundabout after I wrote the above , it looks like I would more than likely take lane 1 on approach to exit 2nd exit, and be looking around me to make sure someone from the inside track of the roundabout was not going to T bone me from my off side as I passed the first exit.
An interesting one, but, if you are slightly behind or along side another vehicle you shouldn't assume they are going to do what you think, leave space and time to react and avoid, and ideally try to avoid going alongside someone and possibly be in their blind spot!
Edited by Majorslow on Tuesday 14th April 17:05
This is an odd one.
The arrow could confuse/cause incidents as:
i) it may indicate the 1st exit only
ii) it may cause those in exit one to emerge unsafely if they have knowledge of the turn left road marking
iii) it may cause drivers on approach to select the right lane, as there may be a possibility of not being able to leave by the 2nd exit, due to a bollard, etc
This gives credance to the thought that, on a complicated or poorly signed roundabout, it may be safer and give more clarity to the situation if one signals right on approach and sight the markings/exit positions, etc.
Obviously this does not work in every case, eg, artics and mini roundabouts might be a bit tight.
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