I say apply the guideline as it should be. If everyone did, then there would be no issue. But, I rather seeing no signal than a wrong one.

the argument of "misread signals" meaning we should all use wrong signals is beyond flawed!

If unsure sit and wait the extra 3seconds to see where they actually go.

My thoughts exactly.

The question remains, is it better to not use your signal on entry to the roundabout when going straight ahead, or is it better to use an incorrect / misleading signal?

What signal could you use to enter a roundabout when going straight ahead? The hazard lights? You indicate (if needed, ie if there's a car waiting to enter the roundabout at the junction you will be leaving at. Not whether a car is following you or not) when passing the last junction before the junction you are taking.

I suspect that most drivers, prior to an accident are "certain" that their manoeuvre is perfectly safe. People's arrogant faith in their powers of observation and superior driving skills is probably a major contributory factor in many accidents.

 

When I learned to drive, my instructor's two favourite sayings were "Expect the unexpected" and "Always assume every other driver is an idiot". Riding a motorbike has only served to confirm the truth of these maxims

 

ACK/NAK

Once again I agree with you and all I can say is I am not most drivers.  I have been trained at great expense over a number of years to not be most drivers.  I was trained to Advanced Standard by the Police in cars and bikes and went onto be a Motorcycle rider instructor where I trained riders from CBT up to Advanced and could examine at Advanced level as well.  All of that was some time ago but I continue to this day to use the instruction I had to make sure that when I drive or ride I am doing it to the same standard.

 

Having said that none of us are perfect and I do still make mistakes occasionally.  Learn from those and move on to improve is the way to go and the thing is some folk will never either realise that they have made a mistake or if it is pointed out to them they will try and find a reason as to why it was someone else's fault.

 

I am not being arrogant here and I apologise if it comes across that way.  Having been taught the Police way and read Roadcraft many times I am well aware of expressions like expect the unexpected.  Part of our tuition was commentary driving in which we would explain what we could see, what we could not see and such things as what evasive action was available to us just in case the unexpected did happen.  As a motorcyclist it is vital to have that mentality to stay safe on the roads littered with the likes of animal waste and such as we have in these parts.  My training did not include the ability to see around corners but it did include the ability to expect something around there that I could not see and would have to deal with.

 

Another one of those sayings is you should drive at a speed that you are capable of stopping safely in the distance you can see and on your own side of the road.  To do that you need to be aware of what is going on around you and aware that just around that corner there is something that could hurt (or even worse) you.

 

We have moved away from the OP now and into discussing driving in general which in itself is no bad thing except as has been pointed out we all think we are brilliant!

 

Just to finish.  I am passionate about this sort of thing for a number of reasons.  I have seen the carnage, have had to deal with the aftermath including knocking on someone's door to give them the bad news.  I have received and (hopefully) offered excellent training in driving/riding techniques and continue even in my retirement to strive to keep to those levels.  Before I retired I was bus driving and once again I made sure that I drove at the best of my ability to ensure it was a safe and comfortable journey for my passengers (as many as 97) all of the time.  I did not do that by day dreaming whilst driving and whilst I still would make the occasional mistake I continued to learn from them and as a result became better.  It is nothing to do with blind faith and everything to do with training and professional pride.

Edited 28 November, 201510 yr by Chriswright03

What signal could you use to enter a roundabout when going straight ahead? The hazard lights? You indicate (if needed, ie if there's a car waiting to enter the roundabout at the junction you will be leaving at. Not whether a car is following you or not) when passing the last junction before the junction you are taking.

My question was aimed specifically at vxh26, have a look at earlier posts for why.