Can I ignore the painted left lane arrow roundabout approach
Discussion
CoolHands said:
Heaveho said:
I'm going to say that if you caused an accident with me that resulted in damage to something I was bothered about because you did what you are suggesting, I'd thump you. Are you willing to risk injury to save a few seconds or minutes? I'm really not joking.
Why don’t you look where you’re going?OP,
Most drivers with a few years under their belt understand that we all have to be prepared for the unexpected when out on the road. Good drivers are patient, observant, and follow the rules.
As a part of this, you learn to understand that some people make mistakes. They may be disabled, very old, under the influence of drink or drugs, or even having a blazing row with their partner. With those possibilities, routinely doing what you’ve suggested at that junction will eventually go badly for you.
Forget who’s at fault for a moment. You now have a damaged car. You’re not going to arrive at your destination on time. You’re going to have hassle with the insurance company. It might be just before Christmas so you could be without transport for weeks.
Or you could just leave a few minutes earlier and do the right thing.
Most drivers with a few years under their belt understand that we all have to be prepared for the unexpected when out on the road. Good drivers are patient, observant, and follow the rules.
As a part of this, you learn to understand that some people make mistakes. They may be disabled, very old, under the influence of drink or drugs, or even having a blazing row with their partner. With those possibilities, routinely doing what you’ve suggested at that junction will eventually go badly for you.
Forget who’s at fault for a moment. You now have a damaged car. You’re not going to arrive at your destination on time. You’re going to have hassle with the insurance company. It might be just before Christmas so you could be without transport for weeks.
Or you could just leave a few minutes earlier and do the right thing.
There is a DC roundabout near me with only a straight and right exit. You can only go straight from L1, but can use both lanes to turn right.
Then you get people with the OP's mindset going straight from L2, almost invariably SUV's.
Which doesn't end well when a lorry is using L1 to turn right.
Then you get people with the OP's mindset going straight from L2, almost invariably SUV's.
Which doesn't end well when a lorry is using L1 to turn right.
98elise said:
CoolHands said:
Heaveho said:
I'm going to say that if you caused an accident with me that resulted in damage to something I was bothered about because you did what you are suggesting, I'd thump you. Are you willing to risk injury to save a few seconds or minutes? I'm really not joking.
Why don’t you look where you’re going?OP is trolling.
Smurfsarepeopletoo said:
What insurance case law would be in his favour, Grace Vs Tanner is the normal caselaw to use for roundabouts, but that covers 2 lanes roundabouts, normally over roundabouts, where 1 person has crossed the other persons lane, and this settles it as 50/50.
In this case there is no lane markings on the actual roundabout, and the lanes onto the roundabout are marked, so the likelihood is that the insurers would hold the OP at fault as he has intentionally decided to ignore them and has been negligent in his actions.
In my experience, I think it's doubtful the OP would be found responsible unless there was proof.In this case there is no lane markings on the actual roundabout, and the lanes onto the roundabout are marked, so the likelihood is that the insurers would hold the OP at fault as he has intentionally decided to ignore them and has been negligent in his actions.
I was hit on a roundabout a few years ago - large roundabout (4 lanes). I was in the correct lane to take the 3rd exit - elderly lady was in the lane to my right, but decided to take the first exit and clipped my drivers side rear wing as she tried to change lanes.
I called my insurers, who told me that "since it's a roundabout, it will almost certainly go 50/50 - she will probably claim you changed lanes". I had dashcam footage which would have proved this not to be the case - but fortunately, she admitted liability.
As for the OP - intentionally doing something that you know is not correct - regardless of whether you could technically get away with it - is pretty dumb.
Desiderata said:
Ok, I'm a stranger here, just arrived at this roundabout in the left lane during rush hour, the traffic is backed up to a standstill and queuing in both lanes so there is no way for me to see road markings, there are no roadside signs telling me which lane to take. As far as I can see, it would be perfectly reasonable for me to carry on in the left lane if intending to take the left lane of the second exit from the roundabout.
If I can do it, why can't the OP? Yes it's a bit of a dick move if you're doing it while aware of the situation, but not illegal.
If you are a stranger to this roundabout you would not know that the right turn goes into 2 lanes. Therefore any sensible person would go in the right lane to turn right and the left lane to turn left. You don't even need lane markings to get into the most appropriate and sensible lane. I can't understand why anyone would think differently. If I can do it, why can't the OP? Yes it's a bit of a dick move if you're doing it while aware of the situation, but not illegal.
The OP originally asked about the legality of such a move. It is not illegal to go over the dotted white line in the middle of a straight piece of road, but if you cause an accident by doing it, guess who gets the blame.
Vickers_VC10 said:
OP is trolling.
Why do people always seem to assume that if someone is being stupid and/or obstinate, they must be trolling?It's more likely they're just stupid and/or obstinate.
Also, if you're "trolling", and you're the one who comes across as the fool, rather than those you're trolling... you're not very good at it.
InitialDave said:
Vickers_VC10 said:
OP is trolling.
Why do people always seem to assume that if someone is being stupid and/or obstinate, they must be trolling?It's more likely they're just stupid and/or obstinate.
Also, if you're "trolling", and you're the one who comes across as the fool, rather than those you're trolling... you're not very good at it.
The OP is trying to justify ignoring a road sign, but thinks a resulting crash would be someone else's incompetence.
CoolHands said:
2 lanes leading to roundabout. Are we allowed to ignore the painted one on the ground and when you get to the roundabout take the 2nd exit if you want? It looks more ok from the overhead shot than it appears on the ground. But sometimes traffic backs up on the right lane for no reason other than joey at the front. I wonder if I commit any offence if I just go in the left lane and around. All 3 exits are 2 lane.
Someone did exactly that to me. One of attending coppers said it would go 50/50, so it did.Edited by CoolHands on Sunday 20th June 11:54
Still annoys; treated the lane markings as if they didn't exist.
Waste of paint.
vonhosen said:
Mandatory marking? No.
Does ignoring amount to Careless/Inconsiderate driving? Could.
Consideration in assessing liability if a collision? Yep.
All true, but the markings on other routes are illogical nonetheless. For my part I would follow the rules and mutter under my breath. No matter how silly the marking are perceived to be, it's what you are expected to do by other road users that makes your manoeuvre safe.Does ignoring amount to Careless/Inconsiderate driving? Could.
Consideration in assessing liability if a collision? Yep.
Drawweight said:
I can sort of see your point.
Just because what you are doing is ‘iffy’ that doesn’t excuse another driver from not noticing what’s going on around him.
‘Oh I didn’t expect him to be there’ is not an excuse.
Fair comment but it is “Dickish” to drive like that, why would you even put yourself in that position.Just because what you are doing is ‘iffy’ that doesn’t excuse another driver from not noticing what’s going on around him.
‘Oh I didn’t expect him to be there’ is not an excuse.
There’s enough risk on roads without driving with added risk that is well within your own control.
Seems bizarre to put yourself in that position, but I suppose that’s what we have on the road today “ it’s all about me”
All those saying rules and road signs, those are not present, just advisory road markings. You can't contravene a rule that doesn't exist. OP can you confirm that there isn't a sign on a post by the road on approach?
OP: as the centre reserve hatching is only bounded by a broken line it would be equally legal to drive up the middle of the road past the queue and cut in at the front, HTH.
OP: as the centre reserve hatching is only bounded by a broken line it would be equally legal to drive up the middle of the road past the queue and cut in at the front, HTH.
speedking31 said:
. You can't contravene a rule that doesn't exist.
Yes you can, dangerous driving, careless driving, driving without due care, and a host of other catch all offenses.I don't think there is a specific rule that says you can't run over pedestrians, but I wouldn't recommend it!
CoolHands said:
I’m not trolling I had a genuine question. The person saying he would thump me etc & others - if you are the driver in the right lane you shouldn’t then veer to the left lane as you exit without checking what is there? Could be a bicycle or even a car which had (legally and legitimately!) come from the 2nd exit as it’s arrows indicate perfectly acceptably. It shouldn’t matter where I come from.
Yet you are all saying it would be my fault if the person to my right in the right lane did that. I think you are wrong. I’m not saying it would happen as I would prevent it, but even so.
God forbid if I was ever dim enough to do what you're suggesting and use the left hand lane for your purposes, I would at least have the common sense to know I was in the wrong and defer to the person in the right lane if necessary. You're like the pedestrians in a city centre who just step off the kerb without looking because you want everyone else to assume responsibility for your stupidity.Yet you are all saying it would be my fault if the person to my right in the right lane did that. I think you are wrong. I’m not saying it would happen as I would prevent it, but even so.
CoolHands said:
I’m not trolling I had a genuine question. The person saying he would thump me etc & others - if you are the driver in the right lane you shouldn’t then veer to the left lane as you exit without checking what is there? Could be a bicycle or even a car which had (legally and legitimately!) come from the 2nd exit as it’s arrows indicate perfectly acceptably. It shouldn’t matter where I come from.
Yet you are all saying it would be my fault if the person to my right in the right lane did that. I think you are wrong. I’m not saying it would happen as I would prevent it, but even so.
To be fair though,Yet you are all saying it would be my fault if the person to my right in the right lane did that. I think you are wrong. I’m not saying it would happen as I would prevent it, but even so.
You, or the other party involved, don't get to determine whether you are at fault or not. You can just express your view in relation to it which carries no weight beyond your personal view point.
It's others who make the decision that counts.
In addition, as said by another earlier, what you are describing would result in a serious/dangerous fault on a driving test (that is the simple turning right from a lane indicated with a left arrow & without any collision when turning right from it).
Edited by vonhosen on Monday 21st June 19:58
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