Roundabout Rage
Discussion
Hi All,
I was hoping someone might be able put me straight on this one. I was driving to work this morning on a route which takes in a 2 lane roundabout with 3 exits. As I was taking the 2nd exit, I stopped to yield facing the inside lane. Meanwhile, angry chops in a big Safrane thing stopped to yield on my left facing the outside lane. When the way was clear, I moved off and around the the roundabout, indicating to the right first and then left as I passed the first exit. As I indicated to exit the roundabout, I noticed arsewit boy in my left mirror coming around me. I accellerated to exit the roundabout sharply ahead of him and avoid a sideswipe.
I was then flashed, blasted with the horn and tailgated until I stopped my car and gesticulated politely that If he did not desist he would require recal surgery to extract his car horn.
My question is, was I in the wrong ? Which lane are you supposed to use on a 3 exit roundabout ?
I was hoping someone might be able put me straight on this one. I was driving to work this morning on a route which takes in a 2 lane roundabout with 3 exits. As I was taking the 2nd exit, I stopped to yield facing the inside lane. Meanwhile, angry chops in a big Safrane thing stopped to yield on my left facing the outside lane. When the way was clear, I moved off and around the the roundabout, indicating to the right first and then left as I passed the first exit. As I indicated to exit the roundabout, I noticed arsewit boy in my left mirror coming around me. I accellerated to exit the roundabout sharply ahead of him and avoid a sideswipe.
I was then flashed, blasted with the horn and tailgated until I stopped my car and gesticulated politely that If he did not desist he would require recal surgery to extract his car horn.
My question is, was I in the wrong ? Which lane are you supposed to use on a 3 exit roundabout ?
The Highway code (online or hard copy!) covers this in great detail.
You've left out a few key details, but here goes (from memory!)...
If you were going straight on, and there were no directional arrows in the approach lanes, you have the option of which lane to use. You should NOT be indicating right.
Then, indicate left before your exit.
If matey was turning right, he SHOULD NOT have been in the left lane. And he SHOULD have had his right trafficator on to start with.
Of course, if he changed his mind half-way round, common sense says that you should probably stick to the lane you were in (and thus do another tour of the roundabout!) instead of dangerously cutting across him. Two wrongs don't make a right
Last time I quoted these rules I was shot down for quoting rules that didn't make sense, even though they are in the Highway Code
>> Edited by MattC on Wednesday 13th February 12:27
You've left out a few key details, but here goes (from memory!)...
If you were going straight on, and there were no directional arrows in the approach lanes, you have the option of which lane to use. You should NOT be indicating right.
Then, indicate left before your exit.
If matey was turning right, he SHOULD NOT have been in the left lane. And he SHOULD have had his right trafficator on to start with.
Of course, if he changed his mind half-way round, common sense says that you should probably stick to the lane you were in (and thus do another tour of the roundabout!) instead of dangerously cutting across him. Two wrongs don't make a right
Last time I quoted these rules I was shot down for quoting rules that didn't make sense, even though they are in the Highway Code
>> Edited by MattC on Wednesday 13th February 12:27
Left Lane -Turn Left or Straight on
Right Lane -Straight on or Right
Obviously some roundabouts have specific filters and road markings, but I thisnk the above is a good general rule.
I have to say it does amaze me how many people don't seem to be able to grasp the concept of roundabouts, they really are not that complicated, it's just common sense.
Cheers Dan
Right Lane -Straight on or Right
Obviously some roundabouts have specific filters and road markings, but I thisnk the above is a good general rule.
I have to say it does amaze me how many people don't seem to be able to grasp the concept of roundabouts, they really are not that complicated, it's just common sense.
Cheers Dan
The Highway Code only applies to UK roads, not Ireland where Joe lives.
On my last visit to Ireland, I concluded that, although the road layout and signs were similar to ours, the rules of the road were obviously different.
Whilst they still drive on the left (most of the time), right of way seems to be determined by how large a vehicle you are driving, how fast you're going and whether you have a picture of either the Pope, Roy Keene or Jack Charlton in your rear window.
On my last visit to Ireland, I concluded that, although the road layout and signs were similar to ours, the rules of the road were obviously different.
Whilst they still drive on the left (most of the time), right of way seems to be determined by how large a vehicle you are driving, how fast you're going and whether you have a picture of either the Pope, Roy Keene or Jack Charlton in your rear window.
quote:
The Highway Code only applies to UK roads, not Ireland where Joe lives.
Well that's hardly fair, is it - surely road law questions should specify country of origin?!?
One thing I liked in Ireland was the accident black spot signs. Fairly simple idea - yellow background, black spot in the middle!
When I was there the Irish Times had a pretty damning article about the Irish attitude to insurance claims (i.e if there's a 2mph crunch, 30 people claim loss of earnings from back pain). But they all seemed a jolly sensible lot to me. Particularly good was the attitude towards letting faster cars past on their very wide but single carriageway A-type roads.
quote:
If you were going straight on, and there were no directional arrows in the approach lanes, you have the option of which lane to use. You should NOT be indicating right.
Then, indicate left before your exit.
If matey was turning right, he SHOULD NOT have been in the left lane. And he SHOULD have had his right trafficator on to start with.
Yes, missed a detail of two there... The 2nd exit was 90 degrees to the right of me as I entered the roundabout. There was no exit directly ahead of me and no lane arrows.
The thing about driving over here is that you really have to know where you're going in the first place, because all the shaggin' signs have been robbed to use as decorations in all them Irish pubs over there !!! 
I seem to recall from my last reading of the Highway Code, that you can use the left lane to turn right (ie. drive the whole 'lap' on the outside) which is how large artics have to take smaller roundabouts. Admittedly you're liable to get sideswiped as you cut across people's paths, but it 'allowed' under the Highway Code rules.
I come from the midalnds but work darn sarf. I think you can do what the heck you like down here and there is never a need to indicate, either that or southern spec cars have non functioning indicators.
Everyone remember THE ORANGE LIGHTS AT THE CORNERS OF YOUR CAR ARE ON THE OUTSIDE FOR EVERYONE ELSE'S BENEFIT - EVEN PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS.
Indicators should even be used when you can see there is no-one around, because you may not have seen someone eg cyclist and that will be enough to give them a fighting chance of living - personal experience, so I painfully know what I'm talking about.
Everyone remember THE ORANGE LIGHTS AT THE CORNERS OF YOUR CAR ARE ON THE OUTSIDE FOR EVERYONE ELSE'S BENEFIT - EVEN PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS.
Indicators should even be used when you can see there is no-one around, because you may not have seen someone eg cyclist and that will be enough to give them a fighting chance of living - personal experience, so I painfully know what I'm talking about.
quote:
Everyone remember THE ORANGE LIGHTS AT THE CORNERS OF YOUR CAR ARE ON THE OUTSIDE FOR EVERYONE ELSE'S BENEFIT - EVEN PEDESTRIANS AND CYCLISTS.
Sadly, it appears the the local interpretation of the highway code daan saath is that permanent use of fog lights allows you to avoid using your indicators, even if you are driving a people carrier the size of a high-cube Transit.
quote:
Particularly good was the attitude towards letting faster cars past on their very wide but single carriageway A-type roads.
True, but we still get the infuriating numpties who drive at 30 and refuse to use the hard shoulder to pull in and let you past. And before anyone pulls me up about the use of a hard shoulder, the Irish rules of the road book states that provided the way is clear, you can pull in to let faster traffic past. We do get a lot of gardai (GAR-DEE, rozzers) stopping and checking on them though, so watch your speed around the bends, they're sneaky feckers !
quote:
Indicators should even be used when you can see there is no-one around, because you may not have seen someone eg cyclist and that will be enough to give them a fighting chance of living - personal experience, so I painfully know what I'm talking about.
According to the AIM, if you use your indicators all the time without thinking then you are not using them properly. You should look all around you to see if there is any danger or need for caution and if there is then you should indicate accordingly.
If there is no danger or need for caution then there is no need for indicating.
If you don't see the cyclist, then indicate and crash into them is that better than not seeing the cyclist, indicating, then crashing into them?
Surely you would be at error for driving without due care and attention.
Well, joe. Here's another one for you!
This morning I was going around a roundabout I travel on often. I was making a right turn BUT there are a large number of exits. (5). I will be leaving on the 3rd exit but after the first exit there is an entrance only.
I entered the roundabout via the right hand land of the two available and stayed hard right planning on staying there until after the exit before mine - then indicating to leave the roundabout and then moving over and heading down a double lane sliproad onto a dual carriageway.
OK. After the first exit the entrance is visible. I approach at about 40mph. The entrance is THREE LANES wide. The left hand two are filled with cars.
A blue Polo flies up the third lane and onto the roundabout without slowing. I start to brake and then realise IT IS FAR TOO LATE. So I slam my foot on the gas and my Porsche charges forward and I *just* get ahead of the blue car.
So I look in the rear view mirror and, fully expecting to see some young hoon from "So You Think You're A Good Driver" its a granny! She's looking absolutely disgusted at me thinking to herself "Idiot in a Porsche shouldn't have been going so fast".
I wave and leave. F******. What are you supposed to do? I was below the speed limit. I had observed the entrance. I thought I was approaching at a safe speed. Clearly I wasn't. Not if grannies don't have to "Give Way To the Right on a Roundabout" like the rest of us F***** well have to!
Still. No one harmed. But I'll be thinking about just what the hell I got wrong for a while...why didn't I clock her in time and work out she just didn't give a s***?
Ah well. There's some nice fresh "Roundabout Rage" for you. Sorry about the long post.
This morning I was going around a roundabout I travel on often. I was making a right turn BUT there are a large number of exits. (5). I will be leaving on the 3rd exit but after the first exit there is an entrance only.
I entered the roundabout via the right hand land of the two available and stayed hard right planning on staying there until after the exit before mine - then indicating to leave the roundabout and then moving over and heading down a double lane sliproad onto a dual carriageway.
OK. After the first exit the entrance is visible. I approach at about 40mph. The entrance is THREE LANES wide. The left hand two are filled with cars.
A blue Polo flies up the third lane and onto the roundabout without slowing. I start to brake and then realise IT IS FAR TOO LATE. So I slam my foot on the gas and my Porsche charges forward and I *just* get ahead of the blue car.
So I look in the rear view mirror and, fully expecting to see some young hoon from "So You Think You're A Good Driver" its a granny! She's looking absolutely disgusted at me thinking to herself "Idiot in a Porsche shouldn't have been going so fast".
I wave and leave. F******. What are you supposed to do? I was below the speed limit. I had observed the entrance. I thought I was approaching at a safe speed. Clearly I wasn't. Not if grannies don't have to "Give Way To the Right on a Roundabout" like the rest of us F***** well have to!
Still. No one harmed. But I'll be thinking about just what the hell I got wrong for a while...why didn't I clock her in time and work out she just didn't give a s***?
Ah well. There's some nice fresh "Roundabout Rage" for you. Sorry about the long post.
quote:
If you don't see the cyclist, then indicate and crash into them is that better than not seeing the cyclist, indicating, then crashing into them?
I think the idea is that if you indicate and don't see a cyclist, he may see your indicator and therefore avoid You.
Though, as I too come from Down Souff I don't think people can tell what an indicator is when you are using one judging by the way they still try and creep on the roundabout (in front of you) that you are trying to exit.
quote:Yes, I know that feeling ! It's so bad over here that you really have to watch the car on the outside of you in case he (or she's) forced to cut lane in front of you to avoid the creepers. Driving in Dublin is a gas too. It's full of dual carrigeways that end at traffic lights with the right lane marked straight ahead and the left marked left or straight ahead. All fairly logical it would seem except that the dual carrigeway becomes a single after the junction. This means it's a battle of throttle to get through alive. No wonder insurance is so bloody steep over here. !!!
I don't think people can tell what an indicator is when you are using one judging by the way they still try and creep on the roundabout (in front of you) that you are trying to exit.
My bugbear on roundabouts is people who indicate right when they are going straight on. Why? Do you indicate right because you're not turning left? Do you do this at T junctions on the left too? Grrr... 
If you're going straight on in the outside lane, and some twat in the inside lane is indicating right, it leaves you in a somewhat nervous state about their proposed actions...
>> Edited by Neil Menzies on Wednesday 13th February 17:23
If you're going straight on in the outside lane, and some twat in the inside lane is indicating right, it leaves you in a somewhat nervous state about their proposed actions...
>> Edited by Neil Menzies on Wednesday 13th February 17:23
Yes NM, that one winds me up too. I think they belive they are being helpful to the people waiting at the first exit by saying 'please wait, I'm not taking your exit'.
Seems strange to be complaining about people who *do* use their indicators but I often get confused by people who indicate their exit too early. Usually on a large-ish rbt with 4+ exits they start indicating for an exit before the one they take.
Dangerous actions by people who genuinely believe they are driving well.
Seems strange to be complaining about people who *do* use their indicators but I often get confused by people who indicate their exit too early. Usually on a large-ish rbt with 4+ exits they start indicating for an exit before the one they take.
Dangerous actions by people who genuinely believe they are driving well.
Don,
Thats reminds me of the 'accident' that I had in Surrey when I had a Range Rover. I entered a roundabout when it was clear (from stopped in queue), going to take second exit. Crossing the roundabout in right-hand lane when half asleep 20 year old girl comes steaming out of the first exit, no slowing, no looking and attempts to go to her second exit. Range Rover to close to stop (wet road, 18mph) so I T-bone her Clio. I managed to avoid hitting her door by swerving left and hit the rear side. Her Clio ended up at 90 degrees to the traffic and was a write-off, my Rangie had a slight ripple down the NSF wing, and a broken indicator lens. I called the police and an ambulance because she had hit her head on the side window. She then tried to blame me for the accident, saying I was following her and tried to overtake her on the roundabout
. I spent 6 months convincing the insurance company to make a claim against her, eventually succeeded and got my NCB back. Police did not help because they said no witnesses so no case, she should have been done for 'driving without due care and attention'. Basically nobody stopped although at least 6 other drivers saw what happened.
Thats reminds me of the 'accident' that I had in Surrey when I had a Range Rover. I entered a roundabout when it was clear (from stopped in queue), going to take second exit. Crossing the roundabout in right-hand lane when half asleep 20 year old girl comes steaming out of the first exit, no slowing, no looking and attempts to go to her second exit. Range Rover to close to stop (wet road, 18mph) so I T-bone her Clio. I managed to avoid hitting her door by swerving left and hit the rear side. Her Clio ended up at 90 degrees to the traffic and was a write-off, my Rangie had a slight ripple down the NSF wing, and a broken indicator lens. I called the police and an ambulance because she had hit her head on the side window. She then tried to blame me for the accident, saying I was following her and tried to overtake her on the roundabout
. I spent 6 months convincing the insurance company to make a claim against her, eventually succeeded and got my NCB back. Police did not help because they said no witnesses so no case, she should have been done for 'driving without due care and attention'. Basically nobody stopped although at least 6 other drivers saw what happened.Gassing Station | General Gassing [Archive] | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff