Question regarding hesitation at roundabout
Discussion
Can you be fined/receive a NIP/PCN for hesitating at a roundabout?
For context, where I usually drive, there’s a small roundabout that has an entrance and exit to a dual carriageway (north). If joining from a normal road (south) onto the roundabout, the visibility isn’t great especially as the cars travelling down the dual carriageway onto the roundabout are going at a fair speed.
I stopped at the roundabout a few days ago as I could see a car coming around with no indicating signals as to what exit, just as that was exiting I then saw a glimpse of another car coming down so waited for that to clear. However as I was waiting for that to clear a white van stopped very close into the back of me and beeped his horn constantly. I then had to wait until the car went as it exited on the exit after where I was.
So just to ask again can this be a fineable offence?
For context, where I usually drive, there’s a small roundabout that has an entrance and exit to a dual carriageway (north). If joining from a normal road (south) onto the roundabout, the visibility isn’t great especially as the cars travelling down the dual carriageway onto the roundabout are going at a fair speed.
I stopped at the roundabout a few days ago as I could see a car coming around with no indicating signals as to what exit, just as that was exiting I then saw a glimpse of another car coming down so waited for that to clear. However as I was waiting for that to clear a white van stopped very close into the back of me and beeped his horn constantly. I then had to wait until the car went as it exited on the exit after where I was.
So just to ask again can this be a fineable offence?
I wouldn't allow the angry driver of a white van to be an arbiter of good or bad driving.
You exercised caution in the situation, proceeded when you felt safe to do so and no one came to any harm. That appears to be perfectly reasonable on the face of it.
On the other hand, dont you DARE dawdle in front of me, sunshine!
You exercised caution in the situation, proceeded when you felt safe to do so and no one came to any harm. That appears to be perfectly reasonable on the face of it.
On the other hand, dont you DARE dawdle in front of me, sunshine!
In theory there is an offence of inconsiderate driving that could be used if you were very hesitant (i.e. waiting through several gaps that a 90 year old obese, asmatic on a 300kg (loaded) cargo bicycle could safely pull out into...)
For a start as a defence, a horn is explicitly and exclusively a signal of hazard, so other drivers using one around you is ALWAYS a justification for hesitation (if stationary you aren't going to hit an unseen hazard...).
Not that rare to have this argument with drivers when cycling (yes, 95% of the traffic on RB near my house is going to turn off before my entrance despite not indicating, but 5% is still enough that assuming they are turning off before would kill me within a few weeks...)
For a start as a defence, a horn is explicitly and exclusively a signal of hazard, so other drivers using one around you is ALWAYS a justification for hesitation (if stationary you aren't going to hit an unseen hazard...).
Not that rare to have this argument with drivers when cycling (yes, 95% of the traffic on RB near my house is going to turn off before my entrance despite not indicating, but 5% is still enough that assuming they are turning off before would kill me within a few weeks...)
White van man is being a dick.
Remember he’s likely sitting high up compared to your view so wouldn’t take to heart. Had similar early this year when every council decided to leave verges uncut to support the wild life which is great if not sitting in a low seat in a sports car and can’t see over the grass.
Remember he’s likely sitting high up compared to your view so wouldn’t take to heart. Had similar early this year when every council decided to leave verges uncut to support the wild life which is great if not sitting in a low seat in a sports car and can’t see over the grass.
TonyF1 said:
White van man is being a dick.
Remember he’s likely sitting high up compared to your view so wouldn’t take to heart. Had similar early this year when every council decided to leave verges uncut to support the wild life which is great if not sitting in a low seat in a sports car and can’t see over the grass.
That’s exactly the same in my experience here, and I drive a fairly low car. Thanks for your reply. Remember he’s likely sitting high up compared to your view so wouldn’t take to heart. Had similar early this year when every council decided to leave verges uncut to support the wild life which is great if not sitting in a low seat in a sports car and can’t see over the grass.
Sebring440 said:
We cannot all be as perfect as you. #driving-god
What nonsense. Who in their right mind thinks, bloke behind beeping his horn, I must have committed an offence? Especially if you've actually read the HWC on the way to getting a driving licence.If that's driving God territory, your must have seriously low standards.
Edited by BertBert on Friday 16th December 23:41
BertBert said:
Sebring440 said:
We cannot all be as perfect as you. #driving-god
What nonsense. Who in their right mind thinks, bloke behind beeping his horn, I must have committed an offence? Especially if you've actually read the HWC on the way to getting a driving licence.If that's driving God territory, your must have seriously low standards.
Edited by BertBert on Friday 16th December 23:41
Super Sonic said:
gazza285 said:
I’d have waited longer, and basked in his fury.
You just like to wind people up then.
Riley Blue said:
Some people suffer from anxiety, others are intolerant. You come across both when you're driving.
Yes indeed, my wife is a nervous driver. I was just struck by the unexpected train of thought. If beeped, I'd think, what was that about and what did I do?I'd not go from a beep to "will I get prosecuted?"
As soon as white van got onto the dual carriageway, pound to a penny the driver would have been driving at around 70 mph.
Which IS an offence in any van that is larger than a converted car. Their dual carriageway limit is 60.
To paraphrase Michael Caine, not a lot of white van drivers know that, it would seem.
Which IS an offence in any van that is larger than a converted car. Their dual carriageway limit is 60.
To paraphrase Michael Caine, not a lot of white van drivers know that, it would seem.
I would be interested to know if this was an isolated incident or had happened more than once before to the OP. It's entirely possible that a, it's a roundabout at which more proper care than normal is needed, but also b, the OP unnecessarily hesitates, irritating following cars. Either way it's not an offence.
Edited by popeyewhite on Saturday 17th December 23:42
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