Roundabouts

I came across the following while browsing another biking forum. It illustrates what difficulties can arise when a roundabout is busy.

"My commute to work takes me across a quite busy A66 via a roundabout. I approach along a local road that opens up in to two lanes just prior to the roundabout. There are no lane direction markings.

The inside lane usually has a tail back of traffic in it waiting to turn left, the outside lane is usually empty so the few people (cars and Moi) who want to go straight on to a wide but single lane exit, use the outside lane.

I have managed to avoid any conflict at this junction for the past five years until last week when a 4X4 that was going in the same direction as me but in the inside lane tried to cut me off wound down his window, gave me a load of abuse which questioned my parentage as well as my mental ability he then drove in front of me accelerating and then breaking presumably to try and get me to ride into the back of him.

Am I wrong to negotiate the roundabout in this manner? If I am, what are the alternatives, other than joining the queue in the inside lane?"

By the way, this rider was not contravening the Highway Code. I think this shows how vital that last glance over your left shoulder is before you alter course to exit the roundabout.

[BaZa®]

In my opinion having driven a fire engine for 25 years and taking extra tests etc. If I am on the bike or the car this is my view.

1. One lane approaching roundabout go where you like, left straight on right or back on yourself..
2. 2 lanes inside lane to go left or straight on. Outside lane straight on or right or back on yourself.
3. 3 lanes as above (2 lanes) 3rd lane right and back on yourself only.

But I may be wrong. Where's WildBill? ;)

Some roundabouts are even marked out now because there are so many dummies out there, with dodgy if any licences.

[BaZa®]

Just got this off the www.


British Highway Code for Roundabouts

These are the official instructions taken from the British Highway Code (1998) on Roundabouts and reformatted for the web. Thanks to Gordon Kemp at PRIDE motorcycle training for this update from the U.K.



161. When reaching the roundabout you should

• give priority to traffic approaching from your right, unless directed otherwise by signs, road markings or traffic lights
• check whether road markings allow you to enter the roundabout without giving way. If so, proceed, but still look to the right before joining
• watch out for vehicles already on the roundabout; be aware they may not be signalling correctly or at all
• look forward before moving off to make sure traffic in front has moved off.

162. Signals and position, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise.

When taking the first exit

• signal left and approach in the left-hand lane
• keep to the left on the roundabout and continue signalling left to leave.

When taking any intermediate exit

• do not signal on the approach to the roundabout
• approach in the left-hand lane or centre lane on a three-lane road (on a two-lane road you may approach in the right-hand lane if the left-hand lane is blocked) answers that then Ged.
• stay in this lane until you need to alter course to exit the roundabout
• signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want.

When taking the last exit or going full circle

• signal right and approach in the right-hand lane
• keep to the right on the roundabout until you need to change lanes to exit the roundabout
• signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want.

When there are more than three lanes at the entrance to a roundabout, use the most appropriate lane on approach and through it.

[WildBill2566]

Baza,

You did bettter than I would have, I'd have had to check the highway code like you to be sure. The highway code is just that a code of conduct on the road, best practice if you like. Its not law, however severe deviations from its contents could lead you into careless driving territory, and much of the stuff has legislation to back it up, which is of course law.
Ged,

I think you did the right thing in letting this dick sound off and p### off. 10 seconds and he is out of your life for good hopefully, not worth taking the bait, as it is you have the moral and legal high ground. What he did is totally wrong and if I had seen it he would be on his way to court. Just be wary that he may use this route every day as well, and depending on how big an arse he is, he may have another go.

If you see him again, try and get his number, it would not be possible to proceed aginst him with only your word agains his, but if you get his reg, I would be inclined to contact the local Police and explain what happened and ask for the report to be logged (do ask for the incident number to make sure whoever you speak to has logged it, and get their service number). At least then if this guy causes more trouble and causes you an off you will have a little more weight to your allegation.

If its any consolation I've a dick like this do it to me after driving up my chuff for a couple of miles, getting annoyed at me for doing 80 instead of the 90 he wanted to do, and when I pulled over he cut in front of me and hit his brakes. Unfortunately for him I was at work in a plain Volvo at the time. Sometimes, just sometimes I really love my job;) ;)

Good advice guys, and thanks.


"Unfortunately for him I was at work in a plain Volvo at the time. Sometimes, just sometimes I really love my job"

[Topefisher]

If you are approaching a long que to the left & you wanna go left you can always take the RH lane a fully loop the roundabout coming back to your 1st exit with you then having right of way.

[kevscrivener]

My experience with roundabouts.

1) NEVER assume that the vehicle in front will not stop if his exit is clear. Many drivers are simply not aware that the purpose of roundabouts is to keep traffic moving; add to that the fact that you yourself are likely to be looking right and you have a recipe for a rear-end shunt with yourself totally at fault. Leave space!

2) On 3-lane roundabouts, beware of the prat in the middle lane who takes the first exit and cuts you up.

3) NEVER take an indicator signal for granted; drivers give more wrong direction signals on roundabouts than anywhere else.