Thought I'd ask the good people of Briskoda what their interpretation of this is - on the way home each night I face this roundabout and some nights there are problems, others there isn't.

Here's the situation - I'm coming from point A and progressing to point B. The approach road is 2 lanes. Normally I switch across to the outside lane (at point 1), turn right and then end the exit of the roundabout at point 3.

Sometimes the traffic queues back and so some drivers stay in the inside at point 2 and turn right but still exit at point 3. This causes problems because the drivers exiting from point 1 don't see them and they both converge at point 3.

So what is the correct lane positioning?

• 1 -> 3
  
• 1 -> 4
  
• 2 -> 3
  
• 2 -> 4
  

I always thought 1->3 was the correct route. There are no road markings to assist BTW - just wondered what everyone thought?

Hmm, I would go 1->3/4. I wouldn't use 2 to go right at all, but left or straight only.

Agreed, 1-3/4 depending on traffic.

I'd say 1-3 is safest as you retain 4 as a plan b exit

should you happen to get cut up from the last entrance on to

the roundabout you pass before you leave it yourself.

1>3/4 with indication as there are no direction markings on the entry lanes and no lanes marked on the roundabout. I definitely would not use 2>3/4 as unless marked it should only ever be used as straight on or a left turn.

Any lane is okay drivers are required to be observant at all times when maneuvering.

if you was driving a heavy goods vehicle you would have to be in lane 2 so that you could get into lane 3 with out putting the rear wheels onto the roundabout.

bill retired hgv driver

1 "could" also go straight ahead to point, erm, C, we'll call it.... 2 should never (unless indicated by road markings) go right.

2 = 1st and 2nd exit

1 = 2nd, 3rd, or back on yourself.

Al.

Definately point 1 to go to point 3. If drivers are using point 2 to go to point 3, then they are in the wrong. Just shows the standard of driving that has dropped in this country.

I guess 1>3 is the proper choice but I'd probably do 1>4 since it often works out easier and safer.

Any lane is okay drivers are required to be observant at all times when maneuvering.

if you was driving a heavy goods vehicle you would have to be in lane 2 so that you could get into lane 3 with out putting the rear wheels onto the roundabout.

bill retired hgv driver

That's true Bill, if you're driving something big then sometimes

you need to nick a bit of other lanes to allow for your vehicle to be able

to make a turn.

(Ex double deck bus driver Central London)

It's quite a large roundabout and HGVs generally don't need to be in (2) to exit at (3). Departing from (1) is normally sufficient but I see where you are coming from.

So the general consensus is 1-3 is the right choice, with a 1-4 up your sleeve if you need it.

Definately point 1 to go to point 3. If drivers are using point 2 to go to point 3, then they are in the wrong. Just shows the standard of driving that has dropped in this country.

Agreed - it's the impatient ones who can't be bothered to wait who use 2-3 / 2-4 and it really annoys me especially when they think you are in the wrong (for going 1-3)

1 > 3 with 4 as an 'escape' route.

Although driving in London, I'd probably use the following 2, to 1, back to 2, "TRAFFIC" back to 1, in to 3, "LORRY", cut round to 4 and exit at 3 somehow :rofl:

1 to 3, but if it was round here you'd always be in 4 due to people that have no idea what lane coordination is and just drive round roundabouts rather than moving over as you pass exits.

I would do 1 > 4... surely this one is safest?

If someone pulls out of the junction before 3-4, they will take lane 3 if going left. If you're taking 1 > 4, you're going tight to the roundabout and not cutting across anyone to go to 4.

I have the exact same situation on my commute and 50% take 2 > 3 and 50% take 1 > 4, I guess it depends on the circumstances.

Technically you should be going 1 > 3, but sometimes idiots prevent this

Edited 18 June, 201312 yr by Wardy-

Hmm, I would go 1->3/4. I wouldn't use 2 to go right at all, but left or straight only.

I would agree with the above but I would always exit into lane 4 and the move across to lane 3 when safe to do so as if you are on the right hand lane going around to 3 o'clock I was taught never to swing across to the left at 12 o'clock, however some driving instructors do teach this which is wrong. Unless you in designated lanes that move you outward stay in the current lane and try to drive out of the round about in as straight of a line as possible. I've probably explained that really badly and apologies for the confusion I have undoubtedly caused.

I would argue anyone in position 2 wanting to turn right is a muppet! You clearly should be in the outside lane well in advance of the roundabout to execute a right turn....

1>4, Indicating right until I get passed the Last junction then Indicate left into > 4

For the OP, I'd enter at 1, and leave in 3 or 4 depending on other traffic.

Any lane is okay drivers are required to be observant at all times when maneuvering.

if you was driving a heavy goods vehicle you would have to be in lane 2 so that you could get into lane 3 with out putting the rear wheels onto the roundabout.

bill retired hgv driver

That's true Bill, if you're driving something big then sometimes

you need to nick a bit of other lanes to allow for your vehicle to be able

to make a turn.

(Ex double deck bus driver Central London)

You pair are downright dangerous. That central island is over 100 feet across (look at the scale on the picture), and you should not need 2 lanes to make that turn in a bus or a general haulage truck!

1>4, Indicating right until I get passed the Last junction then Indicate left into > 4

I agree with everything above except I would go into 3, the inside lane, assuming it was clear. Don't want to be done for outside lane hogging now do we.

Also 1 > 3 is "the racing line"

Best way to look at it is, If you did 1-3 on a driving test you would be failed unless the road markings direct you too. 1-4 is the istucted way by the highway code, you would then move into 3 when it is safe to do so. I agree with devonutopia 1-3 is the racing line lol.

That roundabout is basic Highway Code stuff so why do so many get it wrong? Grrrr

I get this problem all the time at a roundabout by me, and that even has clear lane markings to funnel traffic to the correct exits.

The majority of people just can't drive, and by can't drive I don't mean can't propel and halt the vehicle by use of gears, accelerator and brakes – any idiot can do that – I mean they don't know how to use the roads. Driving is a complicated and dangerous liberty that involves negotiating multiple distractions in the form of signage, other road users, pedestrians, traffic lights, etc., etc. It requires coordination, awareness, quick wits, cooperation, a sense of purpose and a calm mind. How many people do you see on the road that display all of the above, or even just one?

Our driving test is so pi55 easy you don't really need to know how to use the road at all and once you've passed you're free to drive like a demented, selfish bell-end for the rest of your life, assuming you don't get caught. There should be a probationary period of 2 years after passing, where new drivers have to complete a further test or two, alongside proper motorway training and challenging driving exercises to sort out the wannabes from the can dos.

It astounds me every time I'm out driving that the levels of incompetence I witness don't cause more accidents

Sorry, rant over

1>4, Indicating right until I get passed the Last junction then Indicate left into > 4

I agree with everything above except I would go into 3, the inside lane, assuming it was clear. Don't want to be done for outside lane hogging now do we.

Also 1 > 3 is "the racing line"

The reason I said exit into 4 as any traffic from juction 2 could be in any lane and enter 3 or 4 and traffic turning left from junction 3 should only exit into no 3

^^ Exactly Auric - exiting 1 and into 4 enables the traffic from directly opposite 1 to enter into 3 without any problems. (which has happened quite easily)

Depends what is written on the road as you approach the roundabout, some will let both lanes go 'right'. Saw this last year on the Ringwood roundabout when I went camping with a couple of friends. We were coming from New Forest direction and wanted to go right towards Wimborne Minster, got into the right side lane (lane 1, if we use the photo above but the actual roundabout in the incident was a 3 exit roundabout) and went round the roundabout. Now as one of my friends went round he drifted across left so that he would have taken the inside lane (lane 3) on the exit. What he didn't know was that the person who entered the roundabout on the left lane (lane 2) was also going 'right' and wanted to take lane 3. Result was collision,we automatically thought it was the other guys fault but looking on Google at the roundabout it was marked on the road that both lanes entering the roundabout could go right. In this case my mate (lane 1) should have gone right but exited in lane 4 and not drifted across to take lane 3.

In my own driving if I want to go left I'll take lane 2 (but again there is roundabout coming out of Poole, another 3 exit roundabout, that is marked to let both lanes go left). If I want to go straight ahead I'll take lane 2, unless it's marked that lane 1 can go straight ahead but if I take that option I will exit on the right lane and not go across to the left and if I want to go right I'll use lane 1 and again exit on the right (lane 4).