3 lane roundabout confusion

[FlatToTheMat]

Hi guys, I frequent a three lane roundabout most days and want to know if I'm doing it right as today a guy got quiet irate at me when I beeped him for cutting across me (imo)



From 6 o'clock, I stuck to the left lane to my straight 12 o'clock exit. He, from 6 o'clock took the middle lane up around the roundabout before exiting at 12 at the very last moment.

Was I in the wrong? Bearing in mind I was ahead on the roundabout until that very exit

I want to know because I see it happening frequently. Should I take the central lane, in my opinion it's left and maybe central

[carlpea]

Personally this would be my approach due to being single lane exit roads. Dual lane is a completely different beast...

[FlatToTheMat]

carlpea said:

Personally this would be my approach due to being single lane exit roads. Dual lane is a completely different beast...

Thank you and that's the rote I take sometimes depending on traffic flow but never 100% sure. I don't always approach the roundabout from the same direction but I normally going straight

[Rick101]

I would have approached in the middle lane (lane 2) if looking to take the third exit.

Unfortunately not a massive amount of lane guidance on approach.
https://goo.gl/maps/yW31aqZ26Ek

Edited by Rick101 on Saturday 19th August 14:30

[FlatToTheMat]

Ok, I was at fault then. Thanks for clearing that.

I guess the easy way to think of it is. Left lane is any left exit, middle is straight abd right is anything past straight

Makes sense

[Rick101]

It is a bit of a strange set up.

It looks like exits 1,2 and 4 have space for a dual lane exit and a merge but they've opted not to do this.

Ironically, exit 3 which looks to be the primary route has lass space than any of the others.

[oldcynic]

The roundabout looks somewhat ambiguous to me, so I would either fall in line with the majority behaviour or pick the shortest queue. However the other guy barging ahead and cutting you up was in the wrong, in my opinion.

Perhaps he decided you were in the wrong and that this justified behaving like an arse.

[R0G]

3rd exit can be done from either lane 1 or 2 on approach BUT those exiting from lane 2 MUST give way to those in lane 1 - shown by the fact that a lane line must be crossed to do it

[FlatToTheMat]

oldcynic said:

The roundabout looks somewhat ambiguous to me, so I would either fall in line with the majority behaviour or pick the shortest queue. However the other guy barging ahead and cutting you up was in the wrong, in my opinion.

Perhaps he decided you were in the wrong and that this justified behaving like an arse.

I did pick the shortest queue and judging by his shouting and screaming, it outburst was indeed predetermined.

Thanks for replying

[cmaguire]

R0G said:

3rd exit can be done from either lane 1 or 2 on approach BUT those exiting from lane 2 MUST give way to those in lane 1 - shown by the fact that a lane line must be crossed to do it

It would still, in my opinion, be best practice for anyone in lane 2 to move into lane 1 at or after the prior exit so that ideally everyone should leave from lane 1 (particularly in view of what appears to be lanes as wide as a blue whale on the roundabout).

[Red Devil]

Rick101 said:

I would have approached in the middle lane (lane 2) if looking to take the third exit.

Unfortunately not a massive amount of lane guidance on approach.
https://goo.gl/maps/yW31aqZ26Ek

It would seem that the local custom is to take the 'racing line'.
https://goo.gl/maps/ni8Jz8VcBLJ2
https://goo.gl/maps/UKTtrg34TKr
https://goo.gl/maps/mcuvDEv2YEk
It might depend on traffic levels though.

[Pica-Pica]

I would take lane 2, without knowing more about it. I thinking beeping anyone in these circumstances is a waste of energy, unless there was an imminent collision. Even then evasive action, with pride awareness is easier all round. Maybe he was unsure where to go. It looks a small roundabout for three entry lanes.
The worst roundabouts are two lanes in, and two lanes on exit, but with an early keep left arrow as those two exit lanes rapidly squeeze down to one lane.

[FlatToTheMat]

Pica-Pica said:

I would take lane 2, without knowing more about it. I thinking beeping anyone in these circumstances is a waste of energy, unless there was an imminent collision. Even then evasive action, with pride awareness is easier all round. Maybe he was unsure where to go. It looks a small roundabout for three entry lanes.
The worst roundabouts are two lanes in, and two lanes on exit, but with an early keep left arrow as those two exit lanes rapidly squeeze down to one lane.

Replies so far are split on lane 1 or 2 but most are saying 2. Like I said I'm happy to be wrong, just want to know for sure in the future.

It was more a 'I'm here' kinda toot, than a full blown hand hand horn kinda thing too. He got quite animated over the whole thing mind you. Saying that I'm extremely calm and rarely flustered behind the wheel.

Thanks for all the replies!

[dvenman]

FlatToTheMat said:

Hi guys, I frequent a three lane roundabout most days and want to know if I'm doing it right as today a guy got quiet irate at me when I beeped him for cutting across me (imo)

Irrespective of the rights and wrongs - and even ADers get it wrong at times - if you're unsure of a situation then make sure you have a good idea of what's going on around you, plan accordingly, and then don't beep someone if something unexpected happens - all that does is inflame things.