Roundabout Opinions please.

[CarlosTJackal]

Hi all, I was wondering what your opinions are on the following as I'm in a bit of debate with a few people about it.

At the following roundabout would you think it would be acceptable to take the right hand lane on the slip road and then exit onto the right hand lane of the second exit (A666)?

http://g.co/maps/7bcvj

There are no road markings indicating the correct lane on the slip road or roundabout however the roundabout sign shows as follows on the slip road:

http://g.co/maps/b3vux

When on the actual roundabout in the right hand lane you would see

http://g.co/maps/nvesq

Again there are no specific lane markings apart from broken lines on the actual roundabout.

I think that it would be acceptable and correct to use the right hand lane so am I just being a moron or not?

[R11ysf]

It might be acceptable, but i wouldn't do it. You are turning left, therefore use the left lane.

[anonymous-user]

This is quite possibly the most exciting thread ever posted on PH on a Friday afternoon

[Mr Gear]

I think it would be acceptable, but look out for vehicles on your left when exiting... they might be going straight on, and are entitled to do so.

In summary, do it, but look out for other road users. If in any doubt, give way.

[Wafflesmk2]

You're gonna end up crashing into people wanting to go straight on.

Anything before 12 o'clock, left lane. Anything after 12, right lane.

Simples.

[to3m]

Mr Gear said:

I think it would be acceptable, but look out for vehicles on your left when exiting... they might be going straight on, and are entitled to do so.

In summary, do it, but look out for other road users. If in any doubt, give way.

I don't think people going straight on are entitled to do so, because they'd be driving through that hatched area. That's not strictly speaking against the rules or anything, though I think calling it an "entitlement" is going a bit far. The hatching is a strong suggestion that you not drive through it (don't ask me why it is there in this particular case though - I have no idea).

If I wanted to be in the right lane going off, I'd be in the right lane coming on, though I suspect that if I used that roundabout regularly I'd get very used to people undercutting me in an attempt to go straight on in the wrong lane. Definitely a roundabout that needs better signage on the way in, I think.

[Krikkit]

It's difficult to get the impression on the internets, but having driven that junction I'd say yes, do it, if traffic conditions allowed.

[davepoth]

Lane markings on a roundabout mean the highway code rules about where to put your car don't really apply. In this case the markings show that the right lane on the roundabout is directed to the right lane on the DC, so IMO it's fine.

[Somnophore]

With regards hatching a recent ruling means all hatching is to be treated as "do not enter unless in emergency" whether solid white line or dotted.

[Six Fiend]

Somnophore said:

With regards hatching a recent ruling means all hatching is to be treated as "do not enter unless in emergency" whether solid white line or dotted.

Could you bung up a source for this? Would be very grateful

[JSquaredJim]

Wafflesmk2 said:

You're gonna end up crashing into people wanting to go straight on.

Anything before 12 o'clock, left lane. Anything after 12, right lane.

Simples.

Finally, someone who knows how to use a roundabout. Very rare in the South East.

[R0G]

JSquaredJim said:

Wafflesmk2 said:

You're gonna end up crashing into people wanting to go straight on.

Anything before 12 o'clock, left lane. Anything after 12, right lane.

Simples.

Finally, someone who knows how to use a roundabout. Very rare in the South East.

WRONG!! in this case

I just took a streetview drive and lane 1 coming off the slip is deffo for exit 1 and 2 only with exit 2 being lane 1 only - check out the lane lines!!

Using lane 2 from the slip to lane 2 of exit 2 is perfectly safe and legal but would require a signal for lane 2 exit 2 if others were around to show the intention
I would signal as I got onto the roundabout if the need was there

[CarlosTJackal]

Thanks for all of the replies, It seems it's a bit of a contentious issue. It may not be clear from street view initially but you cannot continue onto the third exit from lane one as it is hatched off after the second exit as has been pointed out(although people do get it wrong/ignore this on a fairly regular basis and drive over the hatchings).

Based on that I would say it was safe and right to use the right hand lane for the second exit.

Thanks again all.

[jamei303]

It's unacceptable unless you can do it without anyone particularly noticing.

[R0G]

jamei303 said:

It's unacceptable unless you can do it without anyone particularly noticing.

WHY?

[TallbutBuxomly]

Perfectly reasonable manouvre but you will need to be aware of your left and esp the services exit as they would be your biggest risk as they may think you are going round. As you enter roundabout hit left turn indicator as you approach the services entrance.

Check left shoulder and carry on providing you are at least half a length ahead of any car to your left.

You will be in the right BUT it is an extremely tricky one. You will have the muppets who have no clue about roundabouts trying to go all the way round the outside and cutting across you.

Even if hypothetically someone pulls off next you to go onto the roundabout they have to follow their lane or take up a lane position either ahead of or behind you to go past that exit . If ahead they need to give fair indication and to be properly courteous they really should pass behind you.

[jamei303]

R0G said:

WHY?

For the same reason it's only acceptable to straight-line a roundabout if there aren't any other road users there to be alarmed by your actions.

[R0G]

jamei303 said:

R0G said:

WHY?

For the same reason it's only acceptable to straight-line a roundabout if there aren't any other road users there to be alarmed by your actions.

Have you actually looked at the set up in the original post links?

Lane 1 exiting from the slip road only goes to lane 1 of exit 2 which leaves lane 2 of exit 2 for those leaving the slip road in lane 2

[Needa308GT4]

Try getting into Basingstoke from the M3 at J6

Apparently, according to some, the A30 ONLY markings on the road don't apply to Mr 1 Series, Then forced him/herself into TOWN CENTRE ONLY lane markings, then narrowly missing the front of the big, fully laden Sprinter, decided to barge their way into the complete opposite lane and turn right!


Those that know the Vileness that is basingstoke will have often encountered this tttish style of driving.

[Nickyboy]

There is an A666 really?