How would you tackle this roundabout?
Discussion
Evening all.
Looking for opinions on how you'd handle this roundabout. I think I'm I approach this correctly, but the majority of driver seem to act differently.
Google Maps Link
I am approaching where the Black Corsa is on Google Maps(I've marked as the Red Dot/Line on the drawing) and am intending to take the third exit (most people do). As such, I've always been taught left lane for left or straight ahead. AS you can see at exit 3 I am intending on taking, there are no markings to suggest 2 separate lanes. Once you cross the box junction the road splits into a left and right lane.
However, most people approach in the same direction as myself, but follow the yellow line, before "cutting" back in to exit the retail park.
I'm always wary of staying in the left lane as most people assume I am turning into the junction I've marked "1" in green.
Am I in the right? Are the other drivers in the right? Are we both in the right and just need to be wary of people "cutting" across?
Interested on how you would handle this situation (I'm awaiting a date for my IAM Test at the end of the month)
Cheers
Looking for opinions on how you'd handle this roundabout. I think I'm I approach this correctly, but the majority of driver seem to act differently.
Google Maps Link
I am approaching where the Black Corsa is on Google Maps(I've marked as the Red Dot/Line on the drawing) and am intending to take the third exit (most people do). As such, I've always been taught left lane for left or straight ahead. AS you can see at exit 3 I am intending on taking, there are no markings to suggest 2 separate lanes. Once you cross the box junction the road splits into a left and right lane.
However, most people approach in the same direction as myself, but follow the yellow line, before "cutting" back in to exit the retail park.
I'm always wary of staying in the left lane as most people assume I am turning into the junction I've marked "1" in green.
Am I in the right? Are the other drivers in the right? Are we both in the right and just need to be wary of people "cutting" across?
Interested on how you would handle this situation (I'm awaiting a date for my IAM Test at the end of the month)
Cheers
Highway code 186 suggests you are wrong : https://www.gov.uk/using-the-road-159-to-203/round...
Left hand lane for exits 1 &2, right hand lane for 3 & 4 on that particular roundabout.
I tend to agree with the HC - the exit you have marked in green is closer to straight ahead than the one you intend to take.
Left hand lane for exits 1 &2, right hand lane for 3 & 4 on that particular roundabout.
I tend to agree with the HC - the exit you have marked in green is closer to straight ahead than the one you intend to take.
I would suggest I would start on the yellow line, not displaying an indicator on approach. Then I'd start indicating left, with a view to moving smoothly to my left (onto the red line), as I passed the island where you've put the 'green 1'. This would allow traffic for exits 1 and 2 to process smoothly through to their exits, and ensure that I was lined up nicely for my exit. Looking at streetview, I can see that the 'mouth' of the third exit does appear to be wide enough to allow two cars side by side, but there is no real road space to allow for a planned 'merge' before it narrows up.
That was my first thought from the thread title too.
I'd be on the yellow line.
The Highway Code advice for left lane for exit 1 and 2 isn't correct these days. There are a few big roundabouts where you can use the left lane for even the 3rd exit. These do tend to be big two lane roundabouts with multiple exits where the main road into the roundabout has its other side at the 3rd exit.
The Highway Code advice for left lane for exit 1 and 2 isn't correct these days. There are a few big roundabouts where you can use the left lane for even the 3rd exit. These do tend to be big two lane roundabouts with multiple exits where the main road into the roundabout has its other side at the 3rd exit.
pobox205 said:
I'd be on the yellow line.
Me too.pobox205 said:
The Highway Code advice for left lane for exit 1 and 2 isn't correct these days. There are a few big roundabouts where you can use the left lane for even the 3rd exit. These do tend to be big two lane roundabouts with multiple exits where the main road into the roundabout has its other side at the 3rd exit.
Don't forget that that Highway Code advice says "unless signs or markings indicate otherwise". There are plenty of roundabout where signs or markings do indicate otherwise.Just a badly designed roundabout... i mean, the inner ring of the roundabout - that doesnt go anywhere at all! a decent roundabout should be an outwards spiral so you can stay in a lane.
although from that approach id say that was more of a right than a straight ahead, so would be on the yellow line - but on badly designed roundabouts you just have to keep your wits about you and drive defensively!
although from that approach id say that was more of a right than a straight ahead, so would be on the yellow line - but on badly designed roundabouts you just have to keep your wits about you and drive defensively!
Sorry this is so late, and I hope you passed your IAM test but before you tackle another roundabout..........READ THE ROAD SIGN!
The sign is your map to the roundabout. On your approach, figure out if your exit is before or after '12 noon' if it's at or before 12, regardless of the physical lay out of the roundabout....you should take it in the left hand lane, following a marked/unmarked lane round the perimeter of the roundabout and indicate left as you pass the junction before your exit. If it's after 12, you should be in the right hand lane, indicating right and follow the marked/unmarked lane round the inside until you get to the exit before yours where you begin to indicate left. But before finally committing to that......READ THE ROAD MARKINGS, they may contradict the road signs and they are what you should follow.
On the approach to any hazard we should be scanning for road signs, generally followed by road markings, but not always.
As its an advanced test, depending on which one, you should be ensuring on approach to the roundabout the position/proximity of other vehicles and consider straightlining the roundabout, in other words going from outside lane on the approach, to the inside lane in the roundabout (assuming straight ahead) and outside lane on the exit..........best make sure you are good with your mirrors before you do it though!
The sign is your map to the roundabout. On your approach, figure out if your exit is before or after '12 noon' if it's at or before 12, regardless of the physical lay out of the roundabout....you should take it in the left hand lane, following a marked/unmarked lane round the perimeter of the roundabout and indicate left as you pass the junction before your exit. If it's after 12, you should be in the right hand lane, indicating right and follow the marked/unmarked lane round the inside until you get to the exit before yours where you begin to indicate left. But before finally committing to that......READ THE ROAD MARKINGS, they may contradict the road signs and they are what you should follow.
On the approach to any hazard we should be scanning for road signs, generally followed by road markings, but not always.
As its an advanced test, depending on which one, you should be ensuring on approach to the roundabout the position/proximity of other vehicles and consider straightlining the roundabout, in other words going from outside lane on the approach, to the inside lane in the roundabout (assuming straight ahead) and outside lane on the exit..........best make sure you are good with your mirrors before you do it though!
brillomaster said:
Just a badly designed roundabout... i mean, the inner ring of the roundabout - that doesnt go anywhere at all! a decent roundabout should be an outwards spiral so you can stay in a lane.
although from that approach id say that was more of a right than a straight ahead, so would be on the yellow line - but on badly designed roundabouts you just have to keep your wits about you and drive defensively!
Roundabouts are designed to be consistent, not spiralled to suit you.although from that approach id say that was more of a right than a straight ahead, so would be on the yellow line - but on badly designed roundabouts you just have to keep your wits about you and drive defensively!
Driving 'defensively' suggests you are a football player rather than a car driver/bike rider. If you know what you are doing you drive/ride assertively. I'm not prepared to drive/ride around cowering from other road users, competent assertive riding requires an understanding of road regulations, road conditions and considers other drivers. You will then be as safe as you possibly can be.
I would approach following the yellow line in the outside lane with my right indicator on but then move across to the inside lane once I was past the second exit marked with the green cross. I would then move smoothly across to the inside lane switching from a right to a left indication. Of course the signs may instruct a different approach on this roundabout and the road markings aren't well designed. In many places the locals tend to adopt their own approach to junctions regardless of signs, road markings and the traffic laws and expect everyone to conform. There is a toeing in line by the traffic island on the third exit implying there is room for two lanes of traffic to go round and merge but I wouldn't like to be side by side with someone there vying for position on the road.
Bohally said:
Evening all.
Looking for opinions on how you'd handle this roundabout. I think I'm I approach this correctly, but the majority of driver seem to act differently.
Google Maps Link
I am approaching where the Black Corsa is on Google Maps(I've marked as the Red Dot/Line on the drawing) and am intending to take the third exit (most people do). As such, I've always been taught left lane for left or straight ahead. AS you can see at exit 3 I am intending on taking, there are no markings to suggest 2 separate lanes. Once you cross the box junction the road splits into a left and right lane.
However, most people approach in the same direction as myself, but follow the yellow line, before "cutting" back in to exit the retail park.
I'm always wary of staying in the left lane as most people assume I am turning into the junction I've marked "1" in green.
Am I in the right? Are the other drivers in the right? Are we both in the right and just need to be wary of people "cutting" across?
Interested on how you would handle this situation (I'm awaiting a date for my IAM Test at the end of the month)
Cheers
definitely a right hand lane approach. It's past the 12 0'clock positionLooking for opinions on how you'd handle this roundabout. I think I'm I approach this correctly, but the majority of driver seem to act differently.
Google Maps Link
I am approaching where the Black Corsa is on Google Maps(I've marked as the Red Dot/Line on the drawing) and am intending to take the third exit (most people do). As such, I've always been taught left lane for left or straight ahead. AS you can see at exit 3 I am intending on taking, there are no markings to suggest 2 separate lanes. Once you cross the box junction the road splits into a left and right lane.
However, most people approach in the same direction as myself, but follow the yellow line, before "cutting" back in to exit the retail park.
I'm always wary of staying in the left lane as most people assume I am turning into the junction I've marked "1" in green.
Am I in the right? Are the other drivers in the right? Are we both in the right and just need to be wary of people "cutting" across?
Interested on how you would handle this situation (I'm awaiting a date for my IAM Test at the end of the month)
Cheers
The thing is there are two lanes on that exit, both of which tend to fill up with traffic waiting for the lights (which are just outside that shot), so people tend to get in lane as soon as they can. So I would say local usage would dictate which lane you should enter the roundabout in. I know if I'm turning left at the lights, i.e. towards town, I will tend to be in the left hand lane and stay there all the way round the roundabout. If I was going right at the lights I would be in the right hand lane.
But then again if my destination would take me right at the lights I would take the next exit at the roundabout (onto the Kingsway slip road), and miss the lights altogether.
But then again if my destination would take me right at the lights I would take the next exit at the roundabout (onto the Kingsway slip road), and miss the lights altogether.
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