Am I missing something?

SixTwoSix · 30 Nov 2015 at 08:18

4 times in the last 7 days i've almost been hit coming around this roundabout.

https://goo.gl/maps/iq1e6QjsJE82

I'm always in the right lane to take the second exit. I've done this on my commute for the last 3 years. Occasionally over that time i've either had to speed up or slam the breaks on to avoid someone in the left lane taking the 2nd exit.

I've previously just shrugged it off and got on with things. However this week it's happened 4 times and it's really bugging me. It's been happening more frequently over the last 6 months or so due to new business's opening nearby and a few new housing developments.

My concern is if I do have an accident where the blame would fall. I'm 99% sure i'm in the right but the increasing amount of times i'm getting cut up is making me doubt myself.

Havana_UK · 30 Nov 2015 at 08:28

A bit hard to see it easily on Google maps via the phone, but I'd say that with two entry lanes and two exits (effectively turn left or turn right) that the sensible thing to do is use the left lane for left turns and the right lane for right turns, which is what you're doing I think. That said, there are no lane marking ha dictating that one lane ahold be used for rah so it's a little ambiguous.

Personally, I'd carry on doing what you've been doing and just keep your eyes peeled. Poor drivers are, unfortunately, everywhere and the only thing you can do to protect yourself from them is drive with extra care and attention.

Cleisthenes · 30 Nov 2015 at 08:51

I would say that you are right, and people are stupid

Diagro · 30 Nov 2015 at 08:56

People are thick.

Its obvious that the left lane is to go left and the right lane is to go "right" or straight on... W/e

Get some road paint, wait till the dead of night and draw some lines

skaif · 30 Nov 2015 at 09:01

Yeah right lane would be head straight on/right and left is going left first exit. Some people really don't get roundabouts though and most of the time they are free for alls! I commuted to Milton Keynes for around 3 years and dealt with this on a daily basis!!

Greebo · 30 Nov 2015 at 10:59

Op is in the wrong. Left hand lane for left and straight on, right hand lane for the right hand exit from the roundabout if they aren't marked.

See highway code here

http://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/news-and-safety-tips/-highway-code-for-roundabouts

I know there isnt a right hand exit from this roundabout but unless marked (which those lanes really should be) its perfectly legal and right to be in the left hand lane for straight across.

Armageus · 30 Nov 2015 at 11:01

Greebo said:
Op is in the wrong. Left hand lane for left and straight on, right hand lane for the right hand exit from the roundabout if they aren't marked.

But there are only 2 exits - so no "straight on", it's either left, right or all the way round. = Right lane to go right.

edit:
The exit is to the right of the 12 O'clock position relative to the Op's entrance, so right hand lane is appropriate.

Greebo · 30 Nov 2015 at 11:06

Armageus said:
But there are only 2 lanes - so no "straight on", it's either left, right or all the way round. = Right lane to go right.

Still the highway code allows for all exits up to 180 degrees for you to be in the left hand lane if there are no signs or road markings to say otherwise.

Hence the confusion with this roundabout. They really should mark the road as left turn only. Until then, you will always have people in the left hand lane.

Of course if "straight on" is more than 180 degrees then yes, every driver in the left hand lane is in the wrong if there was an accident.

If it happens to be dead straight on then it comes down to who was first onto the roundabout. The person in the left hand lane has to give way to the OP unless he was first on the roundabout.

xs2man · 30 Nov 2015 at 12:00

I would argue that the OP's exit lane is WAY past 180 degrees though.

Lanes should be marked, yes, but OP is correct, by my estimation. Seems pretty obvious to me at least.

MooMoo444 · 30 Nov 2015 at 12:03

If I was new to this piece of road, I would place myself on the right, but without markings I can see why people are keeping left. It might be unclear if there is a hidden exit to the right.

JBuk · 30 Nov 2015 at 12:05

The sign before the roundabout shows the 2nd exit as straight on, using the twelve o'clock rule you should be in the left lane

Also common sense says if you're often nearly being in a collision then go in the left lane and reduce that risk

BuToNz · 30 Nov 2015 at 12:11

^ This.

SixTwoSix · 30 Nov 2015 at 19:40

Interesting split in opinion. To clarify as its not apparent on maps, exit is past 180 degrees, closer to 210 or even more. The sign beforehand doesn't help matters as someone else pointed out.

I'll just continue to drive defensively and aware and not take anything for granted.

GeX · 30 Nov 2015 at 20:00

It looks like they've built it and then changed their minds. It looks like there should be two exits for 'straight on'. As you approach it looks like both lanes for straight on. This is reinforced by the sign which has no place names on anything but straight on.

It needs better signage - flag it with your council.

Pants · 30 Nov 2015 at 20:19

The signpost is key. The 2nd exit is considered straight over. Left lane is perfectly legitimate and should be your first option unless it's quicker to use the right lane.

I've done this to death recently on my motorcycle lessons.

The Flying Phil · 30 Nov 2015 at 20:43

Technically you're right to use the right lane to turn right and the left lane to turn left. But the road is poorly marked and the sign before the junction indicates there is only a left and straight on, so anyone who is unfamiliar with the area would be inclined to use the left lane to go straight on as they were advised to do.

I would advise speaking to your local council to see if they can improve the road markings, because if there is a crash then it would be difficult to attribute blame to either party.

K.C. Leblanc · 1 Dec 2015 at 16:36

Armageus said:
edit:
The exit is to the right of the 12 O'clock position relative to the Op's entrance, so right hand lane is appropriate.

However if you roll back and look at the approach sign you will see that the 2nd exit is signed as straight on and not right.

I have to say I think the junction should have road markings and signage sending traffic taking the 2nd exit to the right hand lane.

StevenG · 1 Dec 2015 at 16:50

I would say you were correct. 2 lanes going into the roundabout and the first and second exit are both single, the second turn is past the 180' or 12 o'clock rule so I would use the right lane.

DazQ87 · 1 Dec 2015 at 18:22

skaif said:
Yeah right lane would be head straight on/right and left is going left first exit. Some people really don't get roundabouts though and most of the time they are free for alls! I commuted to Milton Keynes for around 3 years and dealt with this on a daily basis!!

If you live in MK you develop a 6th sense for roundabouts, I can pretty much always tell when following somebody now if they are going to make a moron maneuver depending on how they approach and position their car.