Q on roundabout lane usage
Discussion
I think my driving instructor has clouded the issue for me on this since he taught me to select the lane based upon the position of the intermediate exit relative to a clock face... before or up to 12 o'clock use the left hand lane, after 12 o'clock use the right... (which itself brings the interesting dilemma of when physical position and signage position differ...)
OK, Say Person A is in the left hand lane and wants an intermediate exit.
Person B uses the right hand lane and also wants the same intermediate exit.
Person B would argue (?) that Person A's vehicle constitutes a blocked left hand lane (and there may well be more cars waiting behind, some, none or all of which could be going for that very same intermediate exit.
A break in the traffic occurs and so both Person A and Person B enter the roundabout at the same time...
Just who has priority for the exit and who is at fault in the event of a collision?
Nice Mr. Highway Code Rule No.162 said:
When taking any intermediate exit (on a roundabout)
do not signal on the approach to the roundabout
approach in the left-hand lane or centre lane on a three-lane road (on a two-lane road you may approach in the right-hand lane if the left-hand lane is blocked)
stay in this lane until you need to alter course to exit the roundabout...
OK, Say Person A is in the left hand lane and wants an intermediate exit.
Person B uses the right hand lane and also wants the same intermediate exit.
Person B would argue (?) that Person A's vehicle constitutes a blocked left hand lane (and there may well be more cars waiting behind, some, none or all of which could be going for that very same intermediate exit.
A break in the traffic occurs and so both Person A and Person B enter the roundabout at the same time...
Just who has priority for the exit and who is at fault in the event of a collision?
This was the standard way to teach roundabouts when I was doing it.
The priority goes with the vehicle in the left hand lane.
If you think of a roundabout as a short road with only left turns off it then you cant go far wrong.
Once you have taken 'possession' of a lane then if you want to change lanes it is your responsibility to make sure it is safe.
So if someone is in the left lane they are perfectly entitled to go round and round all day long, if they choose to.
But in reality right for right turn, left for left and middle for middle and learn how to negotiate the numpties in the way
The priority goes with the vehicle in the left hand lane.
If you think of a roundabout as a short road with only left turns off it then you cant go far wrong.
Once you have taken 'possession' of a lane then if you want to change lanes it is your responsibility to make sure it is safe.
So if someone is in the left lane they are perfectly entitled to go round and round all day long, if they choose to.
But in reality right for right turn, left for left and middle for middle and learn how to negotiate the numpties in the way
planetdave said:
If you think of a roundabout as a short road with only left turns off it then you cant go far wrong.
Much obliged to you Mr Planetdave, sir.
Isn't it annoying how the little things in life end up really, really bugging the hell out of you and just won't go away...
Makes sense to me now!
My 'formal' training (subsequently confirmed on a course run by Gtr M/cr Police) many years ago was to:
1) Approach in the appropriate lane for exit (ie. NS for immediate right, OS for subsequent exits - unless road signage indicates otherwise).
2) Do not signal on approach, except if necessary to indicate lane change.
3) Enter the roundabout and move to the appropriate lane.
4) At large roundabouts/circulatory systems where you are proceeding three quarters or more around, it may be advantageous to other traffic if you use RH signal.
5) Commence LH signal when opposite the exit immediately preceeding the one you intend to take.
6) If roundabout has painted direction lanes, there is no need to signal unless you are changing lanes (but be aware of the need to indicate to those who do not observe the lanes).
I still do this. I wonder at those who approach indicating right and then go straight on ... what did they think they were telling me?
Of course, most numpties who do indicate, only do so to remind themselves what they are doing ... or have just done! Any thought to inform others is incidental.
Streaky
1) Approach in the appropriate lane for exit (ie. NS for immediate right, OS for subsequent exits - unless road signage indicates otherwise).
2) Do not signal on approach, except if necessary to indicate lane change.
3) Enter the roundabout and move to the appropriate lane.
4) At large roundabouts/circulatory systems where you are proceeding three quarters or more around, it may be advantageous to other traffic if you use RH signal.
5) Commence LH signal when opposite the exit immediately preceeding the one you intend to take.
6) If roundabout has painted direction lanes, there is no need to signal unless you are changing lanes (but be aware of the need to indicate to those who do not observe the lanes).
I still do this. I wonder at those who approach indicating right and then go straight on ... what did they think they were telling me?
Of course, most numpties who do indicate, only do so to remind themselves what they are doing ... or have just done! Any thought to inform others is incidental.
Streaky
motco said:
Planet Dave: If you did try to go round and around all day long in the left lane, you'd be hit by another car inside two laps, I reckon! Surely you'd need the right hand lane to circulate all day!
Read me again
quote
So if someone is in the left lane they are perfectly entitled to go round and round all day long, if they choose to.
Never said anything about it being sensible - its theoretical.
And bloody stupid to boot.
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