Roundabouts, giving way & priority
Discussion
Mr Whippy said:
Jeez how hard is this.
People coming from the right have priority.
Don’t pull out in front of them.
No one has a right of way, you can only give way.
And here it’s not even ROW, it’s give priority.
You merge into the flow, if there is flow there, with the right hand traffic being the priority flow.
People coming from the right have priority- if they are already on the R/A. is my understanding.People coming from the right have priority.
Don’t pull out in front of them.
No one has a right of way, you can only give way.
And here it’s not even ROW, it’s give priority.
You merge into the flow, if there is flow there, with the right hand traffic being the priority flow.
I think what the OP is asking is,
You come to a R/A and stop.
Car approaching from right, but NOT on R/A.
Should OP wait for car coming from right to enter R/A and pass him before moving onto R/A.
I was taught when approaching a R/A, expect to stop, but sadly people don't seem to do this.
The answer is 'it depends'. How big is the roundabout and how far is their point of joining from you? How close is that person to joining the roundabout? How fast are they travelling? Is there anyone on the roundabout to their right which is going to cause them to slow down or stop? Basically, can you safely join the roundabout in the gap before they get to you without causing them to have to substantially slow down?
You have to assume that anyone to your right is going to carry on and join the roundabout if it's clear to THEIR right. To look at it another way, if you're joining a roundabout, are you looking at people to your left who are about to join and giving them priority? I doubt it - you'll be giving way to the right and, as long as it's clear straight ahead, ploughing on - albeit adjusting your speed if someone to your left is joining as well. But ultimately you'd expect that person to the left to only join if it's not going to slow you down substantially. So do the same if the roles are reversed.
You have to assume that anyone to your right is going to carry on and join the roundabout if it's clear to THEIR right. To look at it another way, if you're joining a roundabout, are you looking at people to your left who are about to join and giving them priority? I doubt it - you'll be giving way to the right and, as long as it's clear straight ahead, ploughing on - albeit adjusting your speed if someone to your left is joining as well. But ultimately you'd expect that person to the left to only join if it's not going to slow you down substantially. So do the same if the roles are reversed.
As I approach, I
1) check to the right on approaching and traffic on the roundabout to the right
2) check anyone entering from left and already on roundabout ahead.
3) then re-check right for anyone coming up late
4) if 2 and 3 are OK I enter while returning my head to forward to ensure still clear ahead.
My aim is not to stop, so 2nd gear if in a manual
Priorities? Main one is not to have a collision.
1) check to the right on approaching and traffic on the roundabout to the right
2) check anyone entering from left and already on roundabout ahead.
3) then re-check right for anyone coming up late
4) if 2 and 3 are OK I enter while returning my head to forward to ensure still clear ahead.
My aim is not to stop, so 2nd gear if in a manual
Priorities? Main one is not to have a collision.
rambo19 said:
People coming from the right have priority- if they are already on the R/A. is my understanding.
Even on a mini roundabout? You're approaching a mini roundabout, and there's a vehicle approaching from the right. Ok to pull out in front of him as he's 'not on the roundabout'?
Even on a mini roundabout? You're approaching a mini roundabout, and there's a vehicle approaching from the right. Ok to pull out in front of him as he's 'not on the roundabout'?
Pica-Pica said:
As I approach, I
1) check to the right on approaching and traffic on the roundabout to the right
2) check anyone entering from left and already on roundabout ahead.
3) then re-check right for anyone coming up late
4) if 2 and 3 are OK I enter while returning my head to forward to ensure still clear ahead.
My aim is not to stop, so 2nd gear if in a manual
That is more observation than what the majority of drivers seem to do at roundabouts, and commendable if you do this all the time.1) check to the right on approaching and traffic on the roundabout to the right
2) check anyone entering from left and already on roundabout ahead.
3) then re-check right for anyone coming up late
4) if 2 and 3 are OK I enter while returning my head to forward to ensure still clear ahead.
My aim is not to stop, so 2nd gear if in a manual
There is just one small point I want to pick up on, and this is stating the specific gear that you always enter a roundabout. Second gear is not applicable for all roundabouts at all times so it should be judged on an individual basis and the most appropriate gear selected.
Mogsin said:
Part of the confusion is caused be the Highway Code and the rules. In summary Highway Code traffic from the right has priority. Govt road markings rules show that if the entry to the roundabout is marked with a single dashed line - give way to the right but if it is marked with a double dashed line then traffic on the major road I.e. roundabout, has priority.
Around my way most of the lines have worn away.
The highway code is vague, but the RTA is a bit more specific. It refers to giving way to traffic "circulating the roundabout" approaching from the right. It makes no reference to giving way to traffic approaching the roundabout. Of course pragmatically avoiding an accident always takes precedent. Around my way most of the lines have worn away.
no-one in the UK has right of way on the roads - we only ever have priority.
priority means that as you both approach a hazard / point of conflict - the driver with priority gets first dibs...
if they are not there in time, then effectively they don't have priority as at the point the other driver tackles the hazard, they are not there...
Arriving later at a hazard where you would have had priority had you been there earlier, but where the other car has proceeded, does not suddenly give you priority...
so the same applies eg. to passing parked cars on the high street by going into the other lane - if cars arrive at the same time from both ends, the one with the empty lane has priority, but if they are in the distance and only arrive once the other car has already arrived and started to pass, then they don't suddenly acquire priority - they can't now bully the other driver out of the way...
roundabouts - traffic approaching from the right has priority, but if they are far enough away, then it is okay to go - they don't suddenly acquire priority by arriving later (in fact on a roundabout they lose it anyway as the car now on the roundabout is technically to their right
)
if all drivers observed this we would have a lot less aggro on the roads! one of the least understood rules on our roads...
priority means that as you both approach a hazard / point of conflict - the driver with priority gets first dibs...
if they are not there in time, then effectively they don't have priority as at the point the other driver tackles the hazard, they are not there...
Arriving later at a hazard where you would have had priority had you been there earlier, but where the other car has proceeded, does not suddenly give you priority...
so the same applies eg. to passing parked cars on the high street by going into the other lane - if cars arrive at the same time from both ends, the one with the empty lane has priority, but if they are in the distance and only arrive once the other car has already arrived and started to pass, then they don't suddenly acquire priority - they can't now bully the other driver out of the way...
roundabouts - traffic approaching from the right has priority, but if they are far enough away, then it is okay to go - they don't suddenly acquire priority by arriving later (in fact on a roundabout they lose it anyway as the car now on the roundabout is technically to their right
)if all drivers observed this we would have a lot less aggro on the roads! one of the least understood rules on our roads...
Ron240 said:
Pica-Pica said:
As I approach, I
1) check to the right on approaching and traffic on the roundabout to the right
2) check anyone entering from left and already on roundabout ahead.
3) then re-check right for anyone coming up late
4) if 2 and 3 are OK I enter while returning my head to forward to ensure still clear ahead.
My aim is not to stop, so 2nd gear if in a manual
That is more observation than what the majority of drivers seem to do at roundabouts, and commendable if you do this all the time.1) check to the right on approaching and traffic on the roundabout to the right
2) check anyone entering from left and already on roundabout ahead.
3) then re-check right for anyone coming up late
4) if 2 and 3 are OK I enter while returning my head to forward to ensure still clear ahead.
My aim is not to stop, so 2nd gear if in a manual
There is just one small point I want to pick up on, and this is stating the specific gear that you always enter a roundabout. Second gear is not applicable for all roundabouts at all times so it should be judged on an individual basis and the most appropriate gear selected.
As for the observation bit, it is always about constantly scanning your surroundings, and that is definitely something many drivers fall down on.
Mave said:
The highway code is vague, but the RTA is a bit more specific. It refers to giving way to traffic "circulating the roundabout" approaching from the right. It makes no reference to giving way to traffic approaching the roundabout. Of course pragmatically avoiding an accident always takes precedent.
It doesn't appear to be in the RTA, but this appears in The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2016
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/362/sched...
Make of that what you will!
Personally, I work on the basis that most drivers believe that they are entitled to charge through the roundabout they are approaching and that anyone in their path already waiting to enter must give way to them, and that what they expect to happen is probably more useful information than what ought to happen.
Ron240 said:
Pica-Pica said:
As I approach, I
1) check to the right on approaching and traffic on the roundabout to the right
2) check anyone entering from left and already on roundabout ahead.
3) then re-check right for anyone coming up late
4) if 2 and 3 are OK I enter while returning my head to forward to ensure still clear ahead.
My aim is not to stop, so 2nd gear if in a manual
That is more observation than what the majority of drivers seem to do at roundabouts, and commendable if you do this all the time.1) check to the right on approaching and traffic on the roundabout to the right
2) check anyone entering from left and already on roundabout ahead.
3) then re-check right for anyone coming up late
4) if 2 and 3 are OK I enter while returning my head to forward to ensure still clear ahead.
My aim is not to stop, so 2nd gear if in a manual
There is just one small point I want to pick up on, and this is stating the specific gear that you always enter a roundabout. Second gear is not applicable for all roundabouts at all times so it should be judged on an individual basis and the most appropriate gear selected.
As for the observation bit, it is always about constantly scanning your surroundings, and that is definitely something many drivers fall down on.
ScoobyChris said:
Pica-Pica said:
All academic now as I have an automatic, and one that uses GPS at road features like roundabouts!
Minor thread derailment but how does this manifest on the road and what is the actual benefit to the driver? I don't believe I've ever driven an auto with it...Chris
The confusion arises from the difference between the highway code (give way to right) and the regulations themselves which say (give way to vehicular traffic circulating on the carriageway). Subject to safety, I apply the second rule, but any concept of priority at a roundabout encourages drivers to approach it too fast, I think.
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/362/sched...
https://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2016/362/sched...
I usually apply the rule if you can join a road/roundabout with causing the approaching traffic to have to lift/brake then your good to go.
Obviously this depends on how much you get a wriggle on and how far away the other vehicle is
unless of course its nose to tail driving and you will be stuck there all day in which case a little less consideration is called for
thats certainly how my instructor taught me
Obviously this depends on how much you get a wriggle on and how far away the other vehicle is
unless of course its nose to tail driving and you will be stuck there all day in which case a little less consideration is called for
thats certainly how my instructor taught me
This small island is an issue and the street view makes visibility look better than it is in practice.
School Ln
https://maps.app.goo.gl/QD7muYhSHYpQdymdA
Entering the island when traffic from right and left, right main problem, is barrelling in at over the 40 limit with zero intention of stopping or even slowing.
Likewise this one from right.
6 Brook Rd
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bnWfFPZSt9bYH4BXA
School Ln
https://maps.app.goo.gl/QD7muYhSHYpQdymdA
Entering the island when traffic from right and left, right main problem, is barrelling in at over the 40 limit with zero intention of stopping or even slowing.
Likewise this one from right.
6 Brook Rd
https://maps.app.goo.gl/bnWfFPZSt9bYH4BXA
popeyewhite said:
The concept of timing when you pull out not to inconvenience a car approaching from the right (on the roundabout or just about to be on the roundabout) isn't exactly advanced driving - nor is it as nuanced as some on here seem to think.
In principle agree with that, though it does depend somewhat on speed of approach by traffic from your right and line of sight, i.e. how early you can see them when they are still on approach. Devil in the detail as usual.HertsBiker said:
very interesting read.
What about the "creeper" driver who slips out at 3mph no matter who is approaching?!!
They do this a lot in my town at a specific RA, creep left and hope no one notices.
On the increase here as well. Just what on Earth do they think they're doing?What about the "creeper" driver who slips out at 3mph no matter who is approaching?!!
They do this a lot in my town at a specific RA, creep left and hope no one notices.
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