Indicating at roundabouts
Discussion
wong said:
Slightly OT, but what if the 2nd exit is at 1 o'clock or 2 o'clock (instead of 12). Do you signal right?
From my earlier post.Is the signal needed?
What I am trying to inform and to whom?
Could it be misinterpreted?
We do have one nearby, with an exit at 1 o’clock or so, my only indication is a left signal as I have passed the previous exit.
caziques said:
Similar problem in NZ - I've seen a number of people indicating right at a standard roundabout...then go straight on.
Even worse is indicating right from the left hand land...then going straight on. Are people that stupid?
It must be taught, for some odd reason, no one would take it upon themselves to just do it as it makes no sense whatsoever, unless I'm missing something! Even worse is indicating right from the left hand land...then going straight on. Are people that stupid?
I saw it again a few days ago, 2 cars ahead of me, first car approaches a small roundabout, gets in the left lane, 2nd car approaches in the right hand lane, indicating right, just as it is approaching the 1st car whacks on the right hand indicator, both cars pull away, 2nd car hanging back, I guess assuming as I am "likely a bit confused, has made a mistake and needs to go right", nope they go straight on!
Raging Bu11 said:
Why Indicate right ?? That would indicate that you are intending to go all the way around the roundabout and head back the other way, causing traffic coming in the other direction to stop assuming you are about to do that !!
It infuriates me when people do this as you end up coming to a standstill, only to watch the thicko indicating right go straight on !!!
This. Indicate to disambiguate a situation. Don't indicate if it would introduce some ambiguity into said situation. But remember, all you proponents of not indicating unless it's necessary, that pedestrians are 'Road Users' too, and there's many a time a driver has not bothered indicating (at roundabouts) when I'd have benefitted, as a pedestrian, from them giving a signal...It infuriates me when people do this as you end up coming to a standstill, only to watch the thicko indicating right go straight on !!!
It was said on another thread some time ago that some EU countries teach drivers to indicate left when entering a roundabout to go straight on, then right when exiting... so when we see someone indicating right to go straight on, it's probably someone from one of those countries translating the behaviour to our roads, or a British driver who has picked up that habit from one. Don't know if this is true.
yellowjack said:
Raging Bu11 said:
Why Indicate right ?? That would indicate that you are intending to go all the way around the roundabout and head back the other way, causing traffic coming in the other direction to stop assuming you are about to do that !!
It infuriates me when people do this as you end up coming to a standstill, only to watch the thicko indicating right go straight on !!!
This. Indicate to disambiguate a situation. Don't indicate if it would introduce some ambiguity into said situation. But remember, all you proponents of not indicating unless it's necessary, that pedestrians are 'Road Users' too, and there's many a time a driver has not bothered indicating (at roundabouts) when I'd have benefitted, as a pedestrian, from them giving a signal...It infuriates me when people do this as you end up coming to a standstill, only to watch the thicko indicating right go straight on !!!
i was taught, years ago, and jt was confirmed at a car factory run drivi ng instruction course that
on approachibg a roubdabout if there are several lanes that are marked which one you need for your exit..to indicate should you need to change lanes. ..once positioned...cancel indicator*
enter roundabout and on passing the junction prior to your exit indicate left after checking you are in the correct lane to exit, this applies to every exit
2) it gives those on the exit you are taking that they can enter in front of you should it be safe to do so and the reason why only a left hand indicator is reqd on entering. plus lack of indicator whilst on the rounabout should remind anyone wishing to enter on 'taking a chance' that you have right of way whilst on the roundabout
how many times have you seen drivers still indicating right when exiting or not at all?
as it was put another way, approaching a roundabout is nothing more than approaching a T junction on a one way street with traffic flow from your right
both have blue turn left only arrow signs
both only have exits on the left ( The T juunction was drawn as such as an extreme example to illustrate the point)
all the entry roads have give way markings. the question was then put..
You are coming up the spine of the T and wish to take any exit apart from the first.. would you indicate right on approach ( in fact he HC does not say keep signalling)
Unlike entering a roundabout to take the 1st exit with a continuous lh signal the same action at the T junction scenario would be confusing. to a following driver .....has he forgotten to cancel the indicator.? so no need to indicate on approach
And the golden rule if you realise yku are in the wrong exit lane DO NOT try and rectify jt..take the exit and then sort yourself out when convenient..affer all you could be there a lot longer as being the catalyst of an accident caused by swerving into the path of another vehicle thzn accepting you f
ked it up.
on approachibg a roubdabout if there are several lanes that are marked which one you need for your exit..to indicate should you need to change lanes. ..once positioned...cancel indicator*
enter roundabout and on passing the junction prior to your exit indicate left after checking you are in the correct lane to exit, this applies to every exit
- the reasons for doing this are fwofold and only when taking the first exit
2) it gives those on the exit you are taking that they can enter in front of you should it be safe to do so and the reason why only a left hand indicator is reqd on entering. plus lack of indicator whilst on the rounabout should remind anyone wishing to enter on 'taking a chance' that you have right of way whilst on the roundabout
how many times have you seen drivers still indicating right when exiting or not at all?
as it was put another way, approaching a roundabout is nothing more than approaching a T junction on a one way street with traffic flow from your right
both have blue turn left only arrow signs
both only have exits on the left ( The T juunction was drawn as such as an extreme example to illustrate the point)
all the entry roads have give way markings. the question was then put..
You are coming up the spine of the T and wish to take any exit apart from the first.. would you indicate right on approach ( in fact he HC does not say keep signalling)
Unlike entering a roundabout to take the 1st exit with a continuous lh signal the same action at the T junction scenario would be confusing. to a following driver .....has he forgotten to cancel the indicator.? so no need to indicate on approach
And the golden rule if you realise yku are in the wrong exit lane DO NOT try and rectify jt..take the exit and then sort yourself out when convenient..affer all you could be there a lot longer as being the catalyst of an accident caused by swerving into the path of another vehicle thzn accepting you f
ked it up.On the indicating right to go straight on….there is always one!
There is a nightmare roundabout we use almost daily that has 5 exits. 1 o’clock, 3, 6,7, and 9.
On the route we take daily we will arrive at the junction at the 6 oclock and leave the roundabout at the 1 o’clock exit. The approach is 2 lanes, left to go left or straight on, right to go right. So from the left lane upon entering the roundabout we indicate right so that the cars waiting at 7 and 9 know we are continuing on, once past 9 we indicate left and exit at 1. Almost everyone does exactly the same if they use their indicators at all (rare event these days it seems). Most of the flow of traffic is either going from 3 to 9 or 9 to 3, so it makes sense to alert other road users at 7 and 9 we are not doing that (a vehicle waiting at 9 may assume approaching cars in the left lane are exiting at 9 unless indicating right), plus cars coming on at 3 to go to 9 might not be expecting us to continue round). This is the only roundabout I’ve ever driven/rode with this awkward arrangement, but completely understandable as it was designed by chimps to form part of the York outer ring road (B1363 if anyone wants to bother checking it out). Entering in the right hand lane doesn’t work because a vehicle will enter at 7 or 9 and stop you moving across to exit.
There is a nightmare roundabout we use almost daily that has 5 exits. 1 o’clock, 3, 6,7, and 9.
On the route we take daily we will arrive at the junction at the 6 oclock and leave the roundabout at the 1 o’clock exit. The approach is 2 lanes, left to go left or straight on, right to go right. So from the left lane upon entering the roundabout we indicate right so that the cars waiting at 7 and 9 know we are continuing on, once past 9 we indicate left and exit at 1. Almost everyone does exactly the same if they use their indicators at all (rare event these days it seems). Most of the flow of traffic is either going from 3 to 9 or 9 to 3, so it makes sense to alert other road users at 7 and 9 we are not doing that (a vehicle waiting at 9 may assume approaching cars in the left lane are exiting at 9 unless indicating right), plus cars coming on at 3 to go to 9 might not be expecting us to continue round). This is the only roundabout I’ve ever driven/rode with this awkward arrangement, but completely understandable as it was designed by chimps to form part of the York outer ring road (B1363 if anyone wants to bother checking it out). Entering in the right hand lane doesn’t work because a vehicle will enter at 7 or 9 and stop you moving across to exit.
Here's a good one, which I drive through every weekday, and there is often contention between cars who take different approaches:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/MTppCGDhRoRSPmy17
The problem is with people wishing to exit at the "A327 Aldershot" direction. Some people approach the roundabout in the left lane, without indicating right, and then another car which has approached in the right hand lane can get "cut up" as they try to exit for the A327 direction by cars on their inside. Contention, shaking of fists and honking commences.
So what's the right way to approach this manoeuvre?
a) Left lane on approach, no need to indicate.
b) Left lane on approach, but should indicate right.
c) Right lane on approach, no need to indicate.
d) Right lane on approach, but should indicate.
e) Either lane is OK on approach, no need to indicate.
f) Either lane on approach, but indicating required.
I think that covers the options!
The problem seems to stem from some people who see it as a "straight on", and some who see it as a right turn - an exit past 12 o'clock. And of course some people who don't give a st and do exactly as they please.
Probably best to look at the link, and then click through to see the layout on the roundabout itself before forming your opinion. I know what my opinion is, but I'm not saying, to avoid the usual pile-ons and flaming. Just interested to see what others think.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/MTppCGDhRoRSPmy17
The problem is with people wishing to exit at the "A327 Aldershot" direction. Some people approach the roundabout in the left lane, without indicating right, and then another car which has approached in the right hand lane can get "cut up" as they try to exit for the A327 direction by cars on their inside. Contention, shaking of fists and honking commences.
So what's the right way to approach this manoeuvre?
a) Left lane on approach, no need to indicate.
b) Left lane on approach, but should indicate right.
c) Right lane on approach, no need to indicate.
d) Right lane on approach, but should indicate.
e) Either lane is OK on approach, no need to indicate.
f) Either lane on approach, but indicating required.
I think that covers the options!
The problem seems to stem from some people who see it as a "straight on", and some who see it as a right turn - an exit past 12 o'clock. And of course some people who don't give a s
t and do exactly as they please.Probably best to look at the link, and then click through to see the layout on the roundabout itself before forming your opinion. I know what my opinion is, but I'm not saying, to avoid the usual pile-ons and flaming. Just interested to see what others think.
Edited by CivicDuties on Wednesday 17th January 10:04
CivicDuties said:
Here's a good one, which I drive through every weekday, and there is often contention between cars who take different approaches:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/MTppCGDhRoRSPmy17
The problem is with people wishing to exit at the "A327 Aldershot" direction. Some people approach the roundabout in the left lane, without indicating right, and then another car which has approached in the right hand lane can get "cut up" as they try to exit for the A327 direction by cars on their inside. Contention, shaking of fists and honking commences.
So what's the right way to approach this manoeuvre?
a) Left lane on approach, no need to indicate.
b) Left lane on approach, but should indicate right.
c) Right lane on approach, no need to indicate.
d) Right lane on approach, but should indicate.
e) Either lane is OK on approach, no need to indicate.
f) Either lane on approach, but indicating required.
I think that covers the options!
The problem seems to stem from some people who see it as a "straight on", and some who see it as a right turn - an exit past 12 o'clock. And of course some people who don't give a st and do exactly as they please.
Probably best to look at the link, and then click through to see the layout on the roundabout itself before forming your opinion. I know what my opinion is, but I'm not saying, to avoid the usual pile-ons and flaming. Just interested to see what others think.
I would approach in the rh lane, and attempt to follow the arrows around the roundabout for my exit, indicating when a lane change is needed.https://maps.app.goo.gl/MTppCGDhRoRSPmy17
The problem is with people wishing to exit at the "A327 Aldershot" direction. Some people approach the roundabout in the left lane, without indicating right, and then another car which has approached in the right hand lane can get "cut up" as they try to exit for the A327 direction by cars on their inside. Contention, shaking of fists and honking commences.
So what's the right way to approach this manoeuvre?
a) Left lane on approach, no need to indicate.
b) Left lane on approach, but should indicate right.
c) Right lane on approach, no need to indicate.
d) Right lane on approach, but should indicate.
e) Either lane is OK on approach, no need to indicate.
f) Either lane on approach, but indicating required.
I think that covers the options!
The problem seems to stem from some people who see it as a "straight on", and some who see it as a right turn - an exit past 12 o'clock. And of course some people who don't give a s
t and do exactly as they please.Probably best to look at the link, and then click through to see the layout on the roundabout itself before forming your opinion. I know what my opinion is, but I'm not saying, to avoid the usual pile-ons and flaming. Just interested to see what others think.
Edited by CivicDuties on Wednesday 17th January 10:04
HOWEVER, this is easy in theory, but in busy traffic the arrows on the road and the signs on the exits may be obscured.
I would expect people to be in the wrong lane, and be needing to change lanes at any time. This roundabout looks like a nightmare even for locals who have used it many times. Imagine seeing it for the first time.
CivicDuties said:
c) Right lane on approach, no need to indicate.
I would treat that as a right turn, and as always use the RL to avoid conflict with cars using RL to go straight on.Indicating Right could cause confusion, so no signal until passing the straight on junction then left signal in case of cars who have used LL despite wanting to take the third exit.
Just my VOXPOP to add to the conversation.
If I'm approaching a roundabout with 3 exits (to the left, straight ahead and back the way I came), I'd do the following...
- Left exit (exit 1). Left hand lane. Indicate left, go left.
- Straight ahead (exit 2). Assuming straight ahead exit from roundabout is single lane. Take left hand lane, unless the left hand lane is marked left turn only (in which case right hand lane). No indication on entry to roundabout and left indication once past the left exit.
- Back the way I came (exit 3). Right hand lane, indicate right on approach and entry. Swap to left indication once past exit 2.
Positioning on the roundabout will depend on layout, signage and road markings.
If I'm approaching a roundabout with 3 exits (to the left, straight ahead and back the way I came), I'd do the following...
- Left exit (exit 1). Left hand lane. Indicate left, go left.
- Straight ahead (exit 2). Assuming straight ahead exit from roundabout is single lane. Take left hand lane, unless the left hand lane is marked left turn only (in which case right hand lane). No indication on entry to roundabout and left indication once past the left exit.
- Back the way I came (exit 3). Right hand lane, indicate right on approach and entry. Swap to left indication once past exit 2.
Positioning on the roundabout will depend on layout, signage and road markings.
This is a relatively new roundabout built to provide access for a new housing estate.
On paper it looks fine but the implementation is quite different. Cars approaching from the right hand side effectively have to turn off at 2:00 to go straight on.
The left hand exit is for the housing estate.
In my mind the left hand lane should have an arrow for left turn only but it doesn’t. Most users straddle both lanes and don’t indicate (at all) - I approach in the right hand lane and indicate right because Im leaving at the exit at 2:00
When it’s busy I just follow the car in front and don’t drive alongside anybody else. It’s a really poorly designed roundabout imho. If they’d just made it one lane it would be a lot easier to use
On paper it looks fine but the implementation is quite different. Cars approaching from the right hand side effectively have to turn off at 2:00 to go straight on.
The left hand exit is for the housing estate.
In my mind the left hand lane should have an arrow for left turn only but it doesn’t. Most users straddle both lanes and don’t indicate (at all) - I approach in the right hand lane and indicate right because Im leaving at the exit at 2:00
When it’s busy I just follow the car in front and don’t drive alongside anybody else. It’s a really poorly designed roundabout imho. If they’d just made it one lane it would be a lot easier to use
I wouldn't indicate, I'd go straight on as I would if there was an exit to the right and therefore wouldn't indicate.
Potentially it could be confused with someone going back round on themselves on the roundabout.
Oddly people seem to think that if a roundabout isn't a perfect cross and if the junctions are slightly askew they need to indicate differently. Followed a guy the other day, get to a roundabout with four exits. It couldn't be a more perfectly laid out roundabout, but the straight on from our lane was a few degrees to the right but without question straight on. He indicates right, cars opposite stop as he joins and he just sails straight on. Makes no sense.
Potentially it could be confused with someone going back round on themselves on the roundabout.
Oddly people seem to think that if a roundabout isn't a perfect cross and if the junctions are slightly askew they need to indicate differently. Followed a guy the other day, get to a roundabout with four exits. It couldn't be a more perfectly laid out roundabout, but the straight on from our lane was a few degrees to the right but without question straight on. He indicates right, cars opposite stop as he joins and he just sails straight on. Makes no sense.
I had been taught that if going beyond 12:00 to indicate right and be in right hand lane unless directed otherwise.
As I said, the illustration is misleading - it’s a definite 2:00 exit for “straight on”
As I said, the illustration is misleading - it’s a definite 2:00 exit for “straight on”
Edited by Miserablegit on Wednesday 31st January 16:17
Edited by Miserablegit on Wednesday 31st January 17:37
Miserablegit said:
I had been taught that if going beyond 12:00 to indicate right and be in right hand lane unless directed otherwise.
As I said, the illustration is misleading - it’s a definite 2:00 exit for “straight on”
I was taught to pass the test. Then I learnt to make my own mind up about what would be most informative and least confusing to other road users (especially important for pedestrians). That often meant no signal at all.As I said, the illustration is misleading - it’s a definite 2:00 exit for “straight on”
Edited by Miserablegit on Wednesday 31st January 16:17
Edited by Miserablegit on Wednesday 31st January 17:37
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