Roundabout lanes part 2

[Spearmint]

There is a roundabout on my route to work which has two approaching lanes, no lane markings and two exits. Imagine my entry is at the 6 o'clock position and my exit is at the 2 o'clock position. Seeing as there are no lane markings, my correct lane to use would be the right-hand lane with my indicators indicating right.

Correct?

I have always assumed that that would be correct usage of the roundabout unless the lanes are clearly marked otherwise.

So why is it in Corby, the majority of it's residents have decided to only use the left-hand lane weather they are turning left or exiting at the 2 o'clock postion?? This then means they swing across both lanes like some huge long vehicle that needs orange warning lights, nearly ttting the front end of my car in the process.

[Major Bloodnok]

"Never rule out stupidity as a possible explanation".

[Spearmint]

That, Major Bloodnok sir, sums up the majority of Corby's residents in their entirety...

[gridgway]

that'll be local conditions then. Maybe something the advanced driver could deal with?
Graham

[vonhosen]

Physical layout will matter but as general rules.

If you want to take the first exit, lane one on approach unless markings say otherwise.

If you are going past 12 o'clock (if past the first exit) OR past the 2nd exit, right signal on approach if of benefit to others.

[gridgway]

I have regularly used a roundabout for a long period that has (coming on at 6 o'clock) an exit at 10 o'clock, an exit at 1 o'clock and an exit back the way at 6 o'clock (IYSWIM).

Local custom is that L1 and a lh indicator is used for exit 1, no indicator (until after exit 1) and L1 used for exit 2, and rh indicator and L2 used for exit 3.

I don't think it means that all the drivers that I have seen using it for the last 18 years are stupid, it's just that the shape promotes the way it is used.

Graham

[GreenV8S]

Regardless of lane markings, local customs etc it isn't a good idea to ever be along side another car on a roundabout. Because sooner or later (probably sooner) one of them *will* wander sideways into you. If you can arrange to be alongside a gap you're much better off.

[gridgway]

an especially bad place being in the rh blind spot of another car!

[combover]

GreenV8S said:

Regardless of lane markings, local customs etc it isn't a good idea to ever be along side another car on a roundabout. Because sooner or later (probably sooner) one of them *will* wander sideways into you. If you can arrange to be alongside a gap you're much better off.

This is standard practice for me and my o/h now, if only from a survival point of view. If it is not possible, I always keep in mind the idea that the other road user could be lost and then decide to change lanes quickly and without much warning. Keeping this in mind allows me the 'space' to react should they do such a thing.

[zed sump]

this happens on atleast 2 roundabouts on the A3049 around tower park in poole and on ashley heath roundabout over the A31. i go by the standard spelt out in the top post.... but am now well aware (and occasionally practised on roads i know well) that if there are 2 lanes coming into a roundabout and 2 exiting elsewhere, people will often come in on the nearside lane, turn more than '6 hours of the clock' right and exit in the nearside lane, but maintain their lane on the roundabout.
i was recently caught out and hit on 1 of the A3049 roundabout's after approaching in the fast lane and trying to maintain that lane while on the r'bout while passing the slow laner who was going right round. he dithered into mine after i honked and later admitted he hadn't looked and claimed fault. i won't try overtaking on a roundabout again if in doubt, even tho i know i was in the correct lane.

[Ross_T_Boss]

I've seen a recent trend to take the middle of 2 lanes, and often the left lane where there's 2 marked lanes to take 2 o'clock when the only other exit it 10 o'clock. As mentioned, I put it down to shear stupidity and inconfidence - some are thick and other are scared to drive in close proximity of other vehicles.

I'd agree with the comments to give clearance, I had a few very close calls with people changing lanes randomly without indication... it's about survival!

[BOF]

GreenV8S said:

Regardless of lane markings, local customs etc it isn't a good idea to ever be along side another car on a roundabout. Because sooner or later (probably sooner) one of them *will* wander sideways into you. If you can arrange to be alongside a gap you're much better off.

Like...

"Never be in a metal sandwich"

BOF.

[Mr Whippy]

vonhosen said:

Physical layout will matter but as general rules.

If you want to take the first exit, lane one on approach unless markings say otherwise.

If you are going past 12 o'clock (if past the first exit) OR past the 2nd exit, right signal on approach if of benefit to others.

You see that would REALLY help in the highway code book I think.


Local roundie on my way home. My lane splits into two, both un-marked. 1st exit is at about 10 o'clock single lane, 2nd at about 2 o'clock which is a dual carriageway, and that is it except for a small hotel entrance combo as a potential 3rd exit.
All three entry points have dual lanes on their approach (or that is how the one to the South is used)..

Tonight I followed a Royal Mail lorry side by side, he had right flasher, so I assumed right lane on exit and onto dual carriageway, while I maintained the left lane and straight on/over route into the left hand exit lane down the DC on the 2nd exit. Cue me watching him in wing mirror in his rear 1/4 not indicate, not look and just straighten his exit out and me having to brake considerably

Not sure if I was wrong, I didn't go side by side as an obvious rule of thumb but his line was like a racing driver and thankfully even with his exaggerated and sudden exit cutting I had chance to avoid a squash.
I always use roundabouts with clear signaling, strict clear lane occupancy to other users (I hope I display that anyway), and always check blind spots and so on when changing lanes to exits and so on.

Now as a user often coming from all directions cars from the East use both lanes onto the DC, both entrances from the South use both left and right lanes onto the DC, though traffic from the North uses left for 1st exit and right for 2nd exit/right round.



I always assumed right entry lane was for right only, or occupt right lane on two-lane exit straight on, with left lane being for left only or left lane on two-lane exit, with more complex roundabouts having clear road markings.

Really not sure who would be at fault here if the worst happened!? It seems 50:50 but surely I was in a lane and the other driver was trying to occupy the space I was taking up by moving into the lane I was in?

Dave

[vonhosen]

If you are coming from Methley Lane (is that it ?) & wanting to take the second exit (which is at about 1 to 2 O'clock for you), you could (IMHO) approach the roundabout in either lane 1 or 2 legitimately with no markings to the contrary. I would personally consider a right signal on approach, particularly if approaching in lane 1.

Edited by vonhosen on Monday 23 October 22:55

[Mr Whippy]

vonhosen said:

If you are coming from Methley Lane (is that it ?) & wanting to take the second exit (which is at about 1 to 2 O'clock for you), you could (IMHO) approach the roundabout in either lane 1 or 2 legitimately with no markings to the contrary. I would personally consider a right signal on approach, particularly if approaching in lane 1.

Edited by vonhosen on Monday 23 October 22:55

Yes thats correct on where I was going.

I often right signal if in that lane to imply I'm not exiting at the first, then proceed to left indicate for anyone who may benefit from it in a following or ahead position who may be considering moving to L1 on the DC or entering the roundabout from my exit...


So, in a stalemate situation where two vehicles leave Methley Lane at the same time and stay side by side, would a resulting collision be the fault of the L2 driver taking position to leave the roundabout in L1?

Of course I aim to not be in that situation for blame to be a consideration, but does it simply come down to existing lane occupancy having right of way and other driver needs to check that the space they are about to move into is clear?

Thanks for the reply!

Dave

Edited by Mr Whippy on Monday 23 October 23:12

[vonhosen]

Mr Whippy said:

vonhosen said:

If you are coming from Methley Lane (is that it ?) & wanting to take the second exit (which is at about 1 to 2 O'clock for you), you could (IMHO) approach the roundabout in either lane 1 or 2 legitimately with no markings to the contrary. I would personally consider a right signal on approach, particularly if approaching in lane 1.

Edited by vonhosen on Monday 23 October 22:55

Yes thats correct on where I was going.

I often right signal if in that lane to imply I'm not exiting at the first, then proceed to left indicate for anyone who may benefit from it in a following or ahead position who may be considering moving to L1 on the DC or entering the roundabout from my exit...


So, in a stalemate situation where two vehicles leave Methley Lane at the same time and stay side by side, would a resulting collision be the fault of the L2 driver taking position to leave the roundabout in L1?

Of course I aim to not be in that situation for blame to be a consideration, but does it simply come down to existing lane occupancy having right of way and other driver needs to check that the space they are about to move into is clear?

Thanks for the reply!

Dave

You should avoid getting alongside others in the roundabout, but it is incumbent upon those in lanes towards the centre of the roundabout (lane 2 on approach) to make sure they can safely get to the outside (where needed) & their exit in good time.

Edited by vonhosen on Monday 23 October 23:22

[Mr Whippy]

Yep, avoidance is always best than being able to point the finger after an avoidable accident

Thanks for the advice though, nice to know that I wasn't entirely in the wrong

Dave