roundabouts and the HWC

[apache]

I recently had my Saab written off by a german tourist who turned right from the l/h lane as I was passing him. It now appears I have to accept some liability because I should have moved to the l/h lane to go accross the roundabout (he should also have been in the r/h lane to go right)

The roundabout is on the A1 at Biggleswade, dual carriageway and no markings. Time to swot up on the HWC methinks

[cptsideways]

If it's dual which I think it is then you were in the right. Left lane is left or straight on, right lane is stright on or right.

Simple as that

I assume your insurance co is wriggling out it?

[apache]

Yep

[motco]

I might depend a bit on whether there's lanes marked on the actual roundabout itself as to whether the rule is enforced - with no markings who's to say what lane you're in?. But the rule certainly is that straight on can be carried out from either left or right lane. The HWC and Roadcraft prefer straight on to be done from the left, though. But, there's NO option for right turners - it's right lane ONLY! Your insurance company doesn't want the hassle that's the bottom line I suspect. Good Luck!

[Peter Ward]

There was some discussion on this here recently. It seems that you can go right in the left lane if you wish, passing each exit in turn until you reach the one you want. Totally non-intuitive of course, but not illegal.

But I do agree that people who do this are a menace, especially as often they don't indicate but just pull into the side of you and expect you to notice them.

[apache]

motco said:

I might depend a bit on whether there's lanes marked on the actual roundabout itself as to whether the rule is enforced - with no markings who's to say what lane you're in?. But the rule certainly is that straight on can be carried out from either left or right lane. The HWC and Roadcraft prefer straight on to be done from the left, though. But, there's NO option for right turners - it's right lane ONLY! Your insurance company doesn't want the hassle that's the bottom line I suspect. Good Luck!

No markings or signeage and I can't find anything concrete in the HWC

[bluepolarbear]

apache said:

I recently had my Saab written off by a german tourist who turned right from the l/h lane as I was passing him. It now appears I have to accept some liability because I should have moved to the l/h lane to go accross the roundabout (he should also have been in the r/h lane to go right) The roundabout is on the A1 at Biggleswade, dual carriageway and no markings. Time to swot up on the HWC methinks

The HWC gives guidance only there are no laws IMHO as to which lane to take - lane markings are not enforcable

[hertsbiker]

why do people get narked when I am in front by some car length (but in RHL), then when I indicate left to leave, they then try to "close up" the lane & push me back onto the roundabout?

[apache]

I've asked the solicitors to furnish the part of the HWC that says I should have moved to the left to go straight across..........should be interesting

[GreigM]

I asked this question a while ago as there are a few roundabouts about here which are plagued by this problem. The answer I got was that it basically isn't clear, and that the person on the left can legally and insurance-wise do no wrong....so there you go, we should reduce all roundabouts to single lanes as using the other automatically puts you in the wrong.

Not the answer you wanted to hear, but unfortunately it is the attitude the insurance co will take.

[Apache]

Germans insurers have admitted full liability, so that would appear to be a case of UP YOURS HERMAN!!

[supraman2954]

A good result. Numpties be warned!