I wish they would go back to teaching how to use a roundabout the proper way reading the signs as approaching rather than this mad clock face rule that does not conform to common sense and the highway code.
Driving Techniques
- Thread starter portland_bill
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Driving Techniques
OP
OP
Don't know what to do with that. Rather unspecific.
So what would be the 'proper' way? And will it work now that roundabouts are often more than a simple crossroads?
I can't see how the clock face is mad. Every direction sign is set so you approach from the bottom (6 o'clock). How does it not conform to common sense? Most roundabouts do not help much with lane selection. The highway code is a bit vague, necessarily so as roundabouts are so many shapes, with a wide variety of exit locations. The highway code gives advice on first exit, or turning right, but everything in between it says, "select the appropriate lane on approach to the roundabout". We have to get the new drivers to think.
We all await your thoughts on how to do this a better way, please.
Argreed just look at the roundabouts with lane making one could half lane one as left only 100m down the road lane one could be left and forward
There is a particular roundabout I encounter at least once or twice a week, not far from where I live, at the end of a stretch of 70mph dual carriageway. There are three lanes on the approach of this roundabout and as where I live is off to the right I will always turn right at this roundabout.
The other two lanes go straight ahead (or the left one you can turn left).
What normally ends up happening is the left lane is the normal one, the middle lane is for morons who have gotten fed up with the person in the left lane doodling and the right-hand lane is for turning right, this, however, means that on the approach the right lane is often blocked by people turning right, limiting the morons ability to overtake.
So what happens is as you arrive at the roundabout to turn right the left-hand lane has a sensible driver, you enter the roundabout in the right-hand lane and usually a lunatic who hasn't bothered with the brakes for the roundabout (from 70mph) squeezes down the middle at full pelt hanging on to the steering wheel for dear life and end up straight lining the roundabout cutting off the right-hand lane entirely. another common occurrence is the left-hand driver straight lines the roundabout forcing the middle lane driver to do the same squashing the car turning right. It has happened so often to me, that I have had to emergency stop in the middle of the roundabout due to my lane suddenly disappearing in front of me, that on approach to the roundabout I now straddle the middle and right lane to make sure I can get around the roundabout without being squashed by an idiot.
This, Of course, would be totally wrong in the eyes of the highway code and any other driver desperate to get past at two thirds the speed of light, however, its what I have to do now to keep safe.
Any new driver obeying the rules of the road to the letter could easily have a nasty accident as a result of this design of roundabout, and due to the way, insurance companies view roundabouts would probably find themselves to be at least 50% at fault for any accident.
but they are not reading the signs on the approach here the sign clearly shows 2nd exit to be at 12 o'clock so most of the day drivers driving for a living will use left lane for 2nd exit straight across, but 9 to 5 drivers and people who have moved into them flats will use the right lane as they moved the roundabout slightly so HGVs could get around it better so by eye 2nd exit looks past 12.
also 99% of drivers using exit 1 do not indicate so everyone assumes everyone that isn't indicating is turning left even if they are going straight on.
Insurance companies are loving this as they now settle nearly all roundabout claims on a 50/50 so both drivers have to pay more the next year
but going the other way roundabout and sign also differ but no one has a problem there they all do as in the pif even though 2nd exit is past 12
no one seems to move left when they have passed the exit before the one they need anymore, and 505 seem to not know on a multi lane multi exit roundabout you move 1 lane left as you pass each exit before the one you need, then when you reach your exit you will find you are in the correct lane and not in the middle of the roundabout having to cut up 2 or 3 lanes of traffic to your left.
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OP
OP
Your original post was about being taught properly. This last post is about a specific roundabout where local custom dictates its use. I can't see the connection. Has there been a survey of all the drivers using that roundabout to find they've been taught apparently wrongly? Is there an assumption that local custom is the fault of the local driving instructors?
Sorry, I still can't see what you want as a solution.
Sorry, I still can't see what you want as a solution.
" local custom" what is that cant find it in the highway code.
if a roundabout has lane control different to highway code then it should be clearly signed as such, if it isnt then DVSA should campaign to get them up.
if a roundabout has lane control different to highway code then it should be clearly signed as such, if it isnt then DVSA should campaign to get them up.
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I tried to get my head round this earlier and even looked at the google maps and street view images to see if I could work out what the complaint was.
Looking at this picture
There appears to be a left turn and a straight ahead with the right turn being a dead end/termination so on approach to this roundabout where there are two lanes leading up to it, common sense would suggest that the left lane is to turn left and the right lane is to go straight ahead, although as I say I did look up the site and there are no specific marking that denote what you can and cannot do in the right hand lane.
In the interests of keeping traffic flowing if the majority are turning left then it’s would be considered good practice in terms of “making progress” to pass slower moving traffic turning left, to go straight ahead?
Or have I missed something?
Also people not indicating is not exclusive to roundabouts.
OP
OP
If you have a specific issue with local custom conflicting with highway code rules, this is not the right place to address that. Take the matter up with your local highway authority.
In Newbury there is a roundabout that always caused conflict. Following the lanes as marked brought squabbles with locals, and was always difficult for learners on test. The year before last the lanes were repainted to reflect what the locals had always done. It is now working well.
There are some fabulous roundabouts in Chesterfield...
Liquid Knight II
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Oh crap! I'm looking at a car for sale there. I think I'll get it delivered. :bang:
Liquid Knight II
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Noooooo! Not Chesterfield roundabouts! I once got chased by some **** in a van as I apparently hadn't gone fast enough or followed local custom or something. As far as I made out I didn't do anything wrong other than not pull over quickly enough to let him past. (Old car no passenger wing mirror)
Liquid Knight II
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Haha it's not that bad.Where abouts is it in Chesterfield?
Near Church lane; then home via Matlock to meet a mate and collect my track day trailer.
It's a back up plan as there's a Rover 620 Ti an hour away.
MattHarris19872016
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When would or wouldn’t you recommend a left signal to signal off a roundabout?
OP
OP
Any signal needs to have a benefit. It is for any other road user, which includes pedestrians that need to know your intended direction. As with any driving situation, there are guidelines, but you cannot apply one rule to fit every situation.
We start with the need to signal our intention to leave as we pass the exit before the one we want. With a 'standard' crossroads roundabout, with at least a couple of car lengths between each exit, that works well. When space reduces the questions start.
As you turn the signal on, or change from right to left, (and many new cars create a delay when changing, as the computer pauses - Fiesta!) others need to see the signal, then there is a delay equal to their reaction time, then their brain knows where you intend to go. At 30mph you're travelling 4 average car lengths a second, and the average reaction time is now getting on for 3/4second, so you've travelled 2-3 car lengths before anyone reacts. In a lot of cases it'll be too late, just in time for them to think you've signalled as you leave, so you'll get a cross look. But you should signal when you can. When to signal off can be planned as you approach for most roundabouts.
Most mini-roundabouts will give no benefit to a left signal, unless it is the first exit, and you then signal on approach. But taking the second exit, you'll be gone before anyone sees the leaving signal.
In driving we see many people who never seem to signal at all. Yet we avoid collisions by assessing their position and speed, and if those are changing. Your speed and position is therefore very important as you traverse a roundabout, the indicator then becomes confirmation, and is less important if time prevents its benefits.
MattHarris19872016
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Best way to stop brakes seizing if car left for a long time or in cold weather? Advise I’ve found includes applying the handbrake just enough to secure the car, some people even advise leaving the handbrake off
