Straight-lining roundabouts
Discussion
A discussion has broken out on the "Your biggest fear about driving" thread on straight-lining roundabouts.
On a motorbike, having made good observations and ensured that you're not going to inconvenience anybody or put yourself in harm's way, I think it's OK. Keeps the bike more upright, possibly avoids the area where there might be diesel spills, less dramatic changes of direction etc. Others think it's the sign of a lazy driver.
What's the view of the advanced driving contingent on here?
On a motorbike, having made good observations and ensured that you're not going to inconvenience anybody or put yourself in harm's way, I think it's OK. Keeps the bike more upright, possibly avoids the area where there might be diesel spills, less dramatic changes of direction etc. Others think it's the sign of a lazy driver.
What's the view of the advanced driving contingent on here?
underwhelmist said:
A discussion has broken out on the "Your biggest fear about driving" thread on straight-lining roundabouts.
On a motorbike, having made good observations and ensured that you're not going to inconvenience anybody or put yourself in harm's way, I think it's OK. Keeps the bike more upright, possibly avoids the area where there might be diesel spills, less dramatic changes of direction etc. Others think it's the sign of a lazy driver.
What's the view of the advanced driving contingent on here?
If you straight-line in the way you describe then it would be considered advanced driving/riding. It’s also ok to straight-line a roundabout in a car if safe to do so. I would normally straight-line only when no other road user was in the close vicinity.On a motorbike, having made good observations and ensured that you're not going to inconvenience anybody or put yourself in harm's way, I think it's OK. Keeps the bike more upright, possibly avoids the area where there might be diesel spills, less dramatic changes of direction etc. Others think it's the sign of a lazy driver.
What's the view of the advanced driving contingent on here?
Automatically deviating to the left, without thinking too much about it and because “that’s what we were taught to do when learning to drive”, could be considered lazy driving!
_Hoppers said:
When I was a bike tutor for RoSPA, both examiners in the group who were also ex traffic both had their views on this. One said it was ok, the other not! Hope this helps 
Current Roadcraft teaching is that it's the correct technique where it's safe and most expedient to do so. Much like using all the road, it is approved and encouraged where safe. Strudul said:
I do it every time it won't impede someone else.
Hate other people that do it though as they always obliviously cut me up.
This! I also blame more recent roundabout designs that have more awkward entry angles that points the left lane in a tangential trajectory towards the inside of the roundabout: Hate other people that do it though as they always obliviously cut me up.
https://goo.gl/maps/Pew5fB8qbr8DDBbx5
Rather than this where the angle points the left lane in a tangential trajectory to the outside of the roundabout:
https://goo.gl/maps/RGJQTv1qQXHff1nf8
Negotiating the latter “properly” feels more natural.
Don Roque said:
_Hoppers said:
When I was a bike tutor for RoSPA, both examiners in the group who were also ex traffic both had their views on this. One said it was ok, the other not! Hope this helps
Current Roadcraft teaching is that it's the correct technique where it's safe and most expedient to do so. Much like using all the road, it is approved and encouraged where safe. stogbandard said:
This! I also blame more recent roundabout designs that have more awkward entry angles that points the left lane in a tangential trajectory towards the inside of the roundabout:
https://goo.gl/maps/Pew5fB8qbr8DDBbx5
Rather than this where the angle points the left lane in a tangential trajectory to the outside of the roundabout:
https://goo.gl/maps/RGJQTv1qQXHff1nf8
Negotiating the latter “properly” feels more natural.
More modern designs are intended to slow drivers on approach even if the roundabout is empty. You get those acute angles created by islands, foliage and other rubbish intended to block your view an approach so you have to slow down and check behind it etc. https://goo.gl/maps/Pew5fB8qbr8DDBbx5
Rather than this where the angle points the left lane in a tangential trajectory to the outside of the roundabout:
https://goo.gl/maps/RGJQTv1qQXHff1nf8
Negotiating the latter “properly” feels more natural.
stogbandard said:
Strudul said:
I do it every time it won't impede someone else.
Hate other people that do it though as they always obliviously cut me up.
This! I also blame more recent roundabout designs that have more awkward entry angles that points the left lane in a tangential trajectory towards the inside of the roundabout: Hate other people that do it though as they always obliviously cut me up.
https://goo.gl/maps/Pew5fB8qbr8DDBbx5
Rather than this where the angle points the left lane in a tangential trajectory to the outside of the roundabout:
https://goo.gl/maps/RGJQTv1qQXHff1nf8
Negotiating the latter “properly” feels more natural.
The first roundabout entries are not too bad but I would say that some of the road markings would tend to send drivers close to the central island.
I think I agree with most people on this thread; fine when there's not another car in sight but otherwise just lazy and dangerous.
I've learned first hand why cutting roundabouts should only be done when you're absolutely sure there's not another car nearby: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7kxfaH4nUg&ab...
I've learned first hand why cutting roundabouts should only be done when you're absolutely sure there's not another car nearby: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7kxfaH4nUg&ab...
slipknotted said:
I think I agree with most people on this thread; fine when there's not another car in sight but otherwise just lazy and dangerous.
I've learned first hand why cutting roundabouts should only be done when you're absolutely sure there's not another car nearby: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7kxfaH4nUg&ab...
I think there is a completely different message to take from that clip (where the camera car goes to the right of a car just ahead, which proceeds to straightline the roundabout, clipping the camera car). That is - don't position on a roundabout alongside another vehicle, or at least always make sure you will be able to get out of the way if another vehicle fails to maintain lane discipline.I've learned first hand why cutting roundabouts should only be done when you're absolutely sure there's not another car nearby: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7kxfaH4nUg&ab...
The fact that one elderly gent straightlined without adequate observations is not a reason for not doing it. As you say, do it only when you are absolutely sure - not that there is no other car nearby, but that you will not adversely affect any other vehicle.
col711 said:
stogbandard said:
Strudul said:
I do it every time it won't impede someone else.
Hate other people that do it though as they always obliviously cut me up.
This! I also blame more recent roundabout designs that have more awkward entry angles that points the left lane in a tangential trajectory towards the inside of the roundabout: Hate other people that do it though as they always obliviously cut me up.
https://goo.gl/maps/Pew5fB8qbr8DDBbx5
Rather than this where the angle points the left lane in a tangential trajectory to the outside of the roundabout:
https://goo.gl/maps/RGJQTv1qQXHff1nf8
Negotiating the latter “properly” feels more natural.
The first roundabout entries are not too bad but I would say that some of the road markings would tend to send drivers close to the central island.
I straight line everything if (and only if) the road is clear and no other people are anywhere (cars, bikes, horses, people) near me. The biggest risk is unseen side junctions or bikes at high speeds. My principal is that I pay road tax for both sides so I may as well use all the available road. Roundabouts are just 'wiggly' corners with whitle lines painted on them, enter left, clip internal apex, exit left makes a straight line in most cases and saves braking or slowing down so it must be better for the environment.
Might be a rally driving thing but I go from A to B in a straight line where possible. Other people may have a different opinion.
Might be a rally driving thing but I go from A to B in a straight line where possible. Other people may have a different opinion.
Totally fine when safe to do so.
Anybody who says otherwise does not understand the absolutely critical "when safe to do so" part.
People always like to disagree with others because it is human nature, and the subject of driving is one that causes a lot of disagreements.
Drivers who routinely follow the curvature of a roundabout are often doing so out of habit and not using proper observation and judgement.
The perfect example of this is a small island roundabout with only one unmarked lane - the driver I mentioned above will exaggerate the manouevre by turning the wheel hard left then right then left again when following the road ahead. Completely unnecessary of course...but if it makes them happy.
Anybody who says otherwise does not understand the absolutely critical "when safe to do so" part.
People always like to disagree with others because it is human nature, and the subject of driving is one that causes a lot of disagreements.
Drivers who routinely follow the curvature of a roundabout are often doing so out of habit and not using proper observation and judgement.
The perfect example of this is a small island roundabout with only one unmarked lane - the driver I mentioned above will exaggerate the manouevre by turning the wheel hard left then right then left again when following the road ahead. Completely unnecessary of course...but if it makes them happy.
Edited by Ron240 on Tuesday 20th April 11:38
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