Roundabout Question

Archy · 15 Jun 2011 at 08:32

I don't post in Motors that often, but am calling on your infinite knowledge of the highways and byways to advise on a situation at a roundabout!

Below is the route I take to work in the mornings. Approaching the roundabout (moira road), there are 2 lanes, 2 lanes on the roundabout, 2 lanes at the 2nd exit, and 1 lane at my exit (Long rig road)

My question is, am I right in using the left hand lane for my journey? Almost daily I get people blaring the horn at me and near misses from people in the right hand lane trying to cut across to the second exit or that are taking the same route as me and have been in the right hand lane.

If I'm in the wrong I'll hold my hands up (well not literally, that would be dangerous while driving) and start using the other lane, but I don't think I am.

Thoughts?

NeverWinter · 15 Jun 2011 at 08:36

I'd do the same as you.

sovietspybob · 15 Jun 2011 at 08:37

from that angle i'd read the road you want to take as 'road ahead' so the left hand lane would be correct. perhaps it looks different on street-view though.

Liquidfox · 15 Jun 2011 at 08:39

Streetview shows no road markings, so i'd say you're correct

jaybee · 15 Jun 2011 at 08:49

Your exit is not past twelve 0' clock relative to where you started entering the roundabout, in which case the left hand lane should be used I thought.

Ryan-3 · 15 Jun 2011 at 08:51

I'd go with the same idea as you's. Ignore those other idiots, and just give them a 'friendly wave'.

Rabtech · 15 Jun 2011 at 08:55

Afterpassing my driving test in January (so got the new test that came out last October), I'd do the same as you. As mentioned its not 'after 12' so the left lane is fine.

NeverWinter · 15 Jun 2011 at 09:03

Ryan-3 said:
I'd go with the same idea as you's. Ignore those other idiots, and just give them a 'friendly finger'.

Fixed.

alx · 15 Jun 2011 at 09:17

I believe I am right in saying you should use the left hand lane to go straight ahead unless it's marked otherwise - so what you are doing is correct. However, it's amazing how many people don't know this.....

Freefaller · 15 Jun 2011 at 10:00

I'd do the same as you - but pull the people out of their car and kick the **** out of them, with my keyboard.

Raymond Lin · 15 Jun 2011 at 10:05

Freefaller said:
I'd do the same as you - but pull the people out of their car and kick the **** out of them, with my keyboard.

Me too, mine has hammer action

Morba · 15 Jun 2011 at 10:35

From that I see no issue being in the left lane as long as you aren't indicating too early

Archy · 15 Jun 2011 at 10:50

Thanks for clearing that up. Doesn't stop me having to take the wrong exit sometimes to avoid idiots trying to exit the roundabout from the wrong lane mind you. I think what a lot of people assume is that because the 2nd exit has 2 lanes for a short while it's ok to exit from the inner lane, when infact (I assume) its really for cars passing slow moving lorries as thats the road to the airport and gets a lot of hgv traffic.

And no, I only indicate after I have passed the exit before the one I wish to take.

rypt · 15 Jun 2011 at 10:55

What does the sign approaching the roundabout show?

Is your exit shown at the 12 o'clock position on it?

Either way, it is bad road design. There should be 2 lanes coming off that then merge in turn, or the 2nd exit should only be a single lane.

Stupot_ · 15 Jun 2011 at 10:55

I'm surprised at the responses... Maybe I'm just not reading this right.

At exit 2, surely both lanes of the roundabout are entitled to get off, surely you are creating a danger by being in the left hand lane if you're going on to exit 3. You're cutting across the turning traffic, rather than them cutting across you.

I don't know what the rules are but personally I'd rather be in the right hand lane and avoid any confrontations.

rypt · 15 Jun 2011 at 10:56

Stupot_ said:
I'm surprised at the responses... Maybe I'm just not reading this right.

At exit 2, surely both lanes of the roundabout are entitled to get off, surely you are creating a danger by being in the left hand lane if you're going on to exit 3. You're cutting across the turning traffic, rather than them cutting across you.

In the absence of correct marking or marking to say otherwise though, he is perfectly entitled to use the left lane

Stupot_ · 15 Jun 2011 at 10:58

rypt said:
In the absence of correct marking or marking to say otherwise though, he is perfectly entitled to use the left lane

Actually, looking at it on street view, I agree. The markings are crap.

Podmonkey · 15 Jun 2011 at 11:11

I would do the same. Left lane is generally for straight on unless otherwise stated. I think from the 'what annoys you on the road' or whatever threads that there are a lot of idiots who dont know how to drive and seem to be pretty angry at those who do. carry on.

brendy · 15 Jun 2011 at 11:22

If there is a dual lane exit on exit three then either lane is fine, if only one (as there is at nutts corner) left lane everytime.

Archy · 15 Jun 2011 at 11:52

This is the view at exit 2 (the one where people constantly cut across)

Markings are crap in that photo, they are better now, and there are 2 lanes marked on the exit. Are you entitled to exit from the right hand lane (inner) of the rounabout in this case? I was under impression that no you are not....

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en...4.634257,-6.147108&spn=0.007464,0.016222&z=16