Roundabouts...

[NB9457]

This is a bit of a rant really about roundabouts with two lanes and whether people are misusing them or I'm missing something.

 

It's a bit after 16:30, rush hour traffic and I'm sitting in the left lane, waiting to go straight on at a roundabout, the traffic in my lane is backed up a bit whereas in the right, it's flowing a tad more. I'm at the front, cue the Audi driver who wants to get home more than everyone else waiting in the queue of traffic I've been sat in for the last 5 -10 mins.

 

Hello road rage.

 

As I'm proceeding to go straight on, the Audi attempts to turn left, from the right lane, nearly hitting me, then has the cheek to start giving me the odds, at this point, I'm screaming at him, typical road rage angry words...

 

Basically this isn't the first time it's happened. Am I missing something when I say the left lane is for turning left and going straight and right lane for turning right and maybe straight on? (although it's good not to)

 

Has anyone else any experience of seeing this and is it even allowed or is it typical poor and impatient driving again?

[6Foot2]

There is a roundabout on my way home where there are two lanes marked out:

 

1: Right turn and straight on

2. Left turn

 

My route home is straight on at this roundabout. The left turn lane is often empty/nearly empty whereas mine is often quite busy. On many occasions, I have been surprised by a car appearing on my left after leaving the roundabout. This happens when a car leaves the roundabout just after me using the left turn lane and goes straight on and tries to get to the roundabout exit before me.

 

I now have to check for cars on my left when I really shouldn't have to due to the stupidity of other drivers who are not patient enough to observe proper lane discipline.

[hardtailstar]

Left lane - turn left and straight on.

Right lane - turn right.

 

The way my instructor said was anything before 12 o'clock on the roundabout is left lane. Anything after is right lane.

[6Foot2]

Road markings at the roundabout on my way home:

 

http://i.snag.gy/ZOz5T.jpg

[NB9457]

http://i.imgur.com/iNOHbXmh.jpg

 

That's the junction it's worst for, people in the right lane turn left, but because it's two lanes, apparently it's acceptable?

[fairm010]

Left lane - turn left and straight on.

Right lane - turn right.

 

The way my instructor said was anything before 12 o'clock on the roundabout is left lane. Anything after is right lane.

 

This is correct. I passed my test a month ago, it's fresh in my mind!

[NB9457]

This is correct. I passed my test a month ago, it's fresh in my mind!

 

That's what I was taught and I'e never forgot, but it's the sheer amount of people that do it, baffles me.

[CAM]

Lane arrows trump default roundabout lane discipline. Otherwise yes, left lane unless turning right. Always check your mirrors, so many idiots.

[Andrew_C]

Basically, yes, but... There are some roundabouts where both lanes do go left (or right), however they are rare. Typically where a dual-carriageway is involved. The M27 to the M271 south is an example, and the A43 is rammed with them. If you want real confusion try teh Magic Roundabout at Swindon, or the A414 junction in the south of Hemel Hempsted.

[6Foot2]

...If you want real confusion try teh Magic Roundabout at Swindon, or the A414 junction in the south of Hemel Hempsted.

 

These roundabouts are actually well-designed. They handle traffic flow easier than you would expect from their descriptions and apparently the one in Hemel handles a greater flow of traffic that if it were a 'conventional' roundabout with traffic going in one direction only.

 

The way to think about it is to imagine the roundabout cut at one point in the ring and stretched out. It then becomes a section of road with six mini-roundabouts on it. Simple!

Edited May 7, 2015 by 6Foot2
Edit: Spelling.

[Andrew_C]

But it FEELS like you are going around the magic roundabout the wrong way. And both are ******* confusing the first time you meet them!

[Boredguy]

Basically, yes, but... There are some roundabouts where both lanes do go left (or right), however they are rare. Typically where a dual-carriageway is involved. The M27 to the M271 south is an example, and the A43 is rammed with them. If you want real confusion try teh Magic Roundabout at Swindon, or the A414 junction in the south of Hemel Hempsted.

Nowt wrong with our Magic Roundabout... it's just 5 mini ones close together.. if in doubt go tourist route right round the outside and beat the traffic going through the middle

[hardtailstar]

A friend of mine failed his test by going straight over a two laned roundabout, the fact everyone does it, its still wrong.

[sparkeh]

By default left hand lane for left and straight on and right hand lane for turning right.

 

*However* road markings will tell you the actual rule for that particular roundabout.

There are loads of examples around by us here that have different rules (anyone attempting to navigate Fosse Park in Leicester can attest to this).

The weirdest one is near my work where you can use the left hand land to go round the roundabout and turn right. Feels weird to do and often get beeped/cut up.

[abillybob]

The way my instructor said was anything before 12 o'clock on the roundabout is left lane. Anything after is right lane.

 

Err that's wrong. My granddad is a test examiner for the DVLA. Just because the time of day changes doesn't mean the laws of the road do.

 

Here is a picture from the DVLA website on how to use a standard two lane roundabout. Some roundabout if different have arrows or markings instructing you to use different lanes, if these aren't present you stick to the picture below no matter what time of day it is...

[3s-gtech]

Fo' real? He meant twelve o'clock on the circle (i.e. 0 degrees) not midday!

[Andrew_C]

I think the problem here is that the rules have changed in the last few years. Most of us will have learned, and have driven for years under the old rule. Having done my bike test under the new regime I now can't remember which is which.

[Davit2005]

http://i.imgur.com/iNOHbXmh.jpg

 

That's the junction it's worst for, people in the right lane turn left, but because it's two lanes, apparently it's acceptable?

 

To me it looks acceptable because of 2 exits on the left of the roundabout which is almost a straight on. Does the roundabout only have 3 roads going into it.

 

Think they should make it clearer, however many of the people that make the decisions or design the road probably don't use the roads at the busy times if at all.

 

You only have to look at my local nightmare roundabout, traffic has flowed 4 times better since they turned off the traffic lights on the round about, traffic lights they have had on for the past 6+ years.

[fiza]

I have a mini-roundabout near me where both lanes can go straight. What tends to happen is that those in the right lane go straight but when they reach the other side automatically veer into the left lane causing those that were in the left lane before the roundabout to brake, horn and swear at them!

 

[abillybob]

Fo' real? He meant twelve o'clock on the circle (i.e. 0 degrees) not midday!

 

Ah well that could do with explaining, 12 o'clock is a time and when I read it I saw it as just that.

[sippo]

You should try our local attraction.

 

http://www.armin-grewe.com/holiday/wiltshire/magic-sign1.jpg

[Tesla]

We have a horrid round about by me, that's prone to people cutting up at last minute. I think the signage could be far clearer, its not along the road, but along next to the layby just before the roundabout, so it doesn't jump out at you. Seen various parts of car bodies/glass along there.

[Tesla]

Ah well that could do with explaining, 12 o'clock is a time and when I read it I saw it as just that.

 

http://www.kgbreport.com/images/facepalm.jpg

[kennysarmy]

Which lane should I be in, in this example.

 

Approach to roundabout has two lanes.

 

If approach is from 6pm the exits are:

 

1 - at 8pm a single lane exit.

 

2 - at 10pm a single lane exit to shopping centre.

 

3 - at 12pm a sinle lane exit - the through road.

 

4 - at 3pm a single lane exis to park and ride.

 

 

My exit is no. 3.

[NB9457]

Today it was people sticking in the left and getting off on the third exit, then beeping me when I'm trying to exit. Why? Because the left is flowing faster and it flows faster, because it doesn't join the motorway