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AIBU?

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Original poster

Traffic - which way to turn?

36 replies

CampsieGlamper · 01/06/2023 08:30

You are joining a main road at X and want to go to a or to the right. The road is busy in both directions, so you know you will have a long wait to get a gap on both directions at the same time. To the left, there is a roundabout, about quarter to half a mile - but it is to the left and you want to go to the right. However by safely turning left and going around the roundabout you can easily get on your way to the right a lot quicker.
But is it "cheating and being wrong"?

Yabu - cheating, unenglish and disgusting.
Yanbu - good thinking, common sense and aeareness

Traffic - which way to turn?
OP posts:
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Travelfan2021 · 01/06/2023 10:26

This reply has been withdrawn

Removed at poster's request due to privacy concerns.

cakeorwine · 01/06/2023 10:23

Absolutely fine.

I sometimes do that by turning left, then turning left into a side street, doing a u turn and then rejoining the traffic to head in the direction I need to go. It really helps on busy roads like the A64.

Now what you should be asking for controversy is when there is a big queue at a roundabout with the left hand lane for left or straight on and the right hand lane for right only. The left hand lane is really busy so you join the right hand lane and go all the way around and beat the traffic in the left hand lane.

MrsClatterbuck · 01/06/2023 09:46

Perfectly fine. Actually there is a road which I am on occasionally where you have to turn left and up to the roundabout to go in the other direction. It is a dual carriage way but it used to have a gap in the central reservation which was used to go right. Much safer now.

AllotmentTime · 01/06/2023 09:43

Who on earth thinks this is “cheating” 🤣🤣🤣

Sirzy · 01/06/2023 09:41

chupachucks · 01/06/2023 09:34

The word "Avoid" means, yes you can if the situation cannot be avoided safely. So in this instance going to the roundabout is the best and safest option.

Every situation has its own circumstances and nuances and that statemen takes that into account.

Show quote history

Exactly.

avoid doesn’t mean it’s not allowed. On at least one road I know where they have set it up to make you go to the roundabout it’s a mini roundabout!

knittingaddict · 01/06/2023 09:41

Of course it's not cheating. I frequently go past my house to the next roundabout, go right round and approach from that direction. It means I can reverse into my drive.

MenorcaMarguerite · 01/06/2023 09:39

I basically live at point X on your map. Always go to the roundabout as do most of my (sensible) neighbours. The ones that do not are also annoying in other ways.

Bluevelvetsofa · 01/06/2023 09:36

Of course it’s more sensible to turn left and go round the roundabout. Turning left is always safer than turning right, if it’s possible to do so.

itsgettingweird · 01/06/2023 09:35

I'd do that because it's safer.

GenXsurvivor · 01/06/2023 09:35

@Ijustdontcare I didn’t know that!

nosykids · 01/06/2023 09:34

I would turn left - far more sensible!

BellaJuno · 01/06/2023 09:34

Cheating? At what exactly!! There’s a road like this near me and it’s quicker and safer to ‘slingshot’ round the roundabout to the left rather than queue to cross traffic to go right.

chupachucks · 01/06/2023 09:34

Ijustdontcare · 01/06/2023 09:30

Highway Code says no U-Turns on mini roundabouts

188
Mini-roundabouts. Approach these in the same way as normal roundabouts. All vehicles MUST pass round the central markings, except large vehicles which are physically incapable of doing so. Remember, there is less space to manoeuvre and less time to signal. Avoid making U-turns at mini-roundabouts. Beware of others doing this.
Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD regs 10(1) & 16(1)

Show quote history

The word "Avoid" means, yes you can if the situation cannot be avoided safely. So in this instance going to the roundabout is the best and safest option.

Every situation has its own circumstances and nuances and that statemen takes that into account.

GenXsurvivor · 01/06/2023 09:31

This is the exact same scenario we have when leaving our estate.

It’s chaotic during rush hour, so I would never entertain trying to turn right, although there is always someone who wants to chance it, therefore blocking the view of those trying to turn left! They then block the road to oncoming vehicles while trying to squeeze into the queue of stationary traffic.

Ijustdontcare · 01/06/2023 09:30

Sirzy · 01/06/2023 09:17

Why not at a mini roundabout? As long as clearly indicating there is no reason not too.

Show quote history

Highway Code says no U-Turns on mini roundabouts

188
Mini-roundabouts. Approach these in the same way as normal roundabouts. All vehicles MUST pass round the central markings, except large vehicles which are physically incapable of doing so. Remember, there is less space to manoeuvre and less time to signal. Avoid making U-turns at mini-roundabouts. Beware of others doing this.
Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD regs 10(1) & 16(1)

Thatladdo · 01/06/2023 09:28

Its not cheating, its safer and often faster.
Youll often see signs recommending you to do just that at junctions crossing busy roads that are close to roundabouts

YDBear · 01/06/2023 09:24

Where I am right now they would stick a barrier down the main road to force you to turn left, no choice. Way to keep the traffic flowing.

Panda89 · 01/06/2023 09:18

I’m pretty sure you are not supposed to do U turns on mini roundabouts, it’s in the Highway Code

Sirzy · 01/06/2023 09:17

Panda89 · 01/06/2023 09:15

As long as it is a proper roundabout and not a mini roundabout then yeah it’s fine, I do it all the time

Why not at a mini roundabout? As long as clearly indicating there is no reason not too.

Panda89 · 01/06/2023 09:15

As long as it is a proper roundabout and not a mini roundabout then yeah it’s fine, I do it all the time

OttoGraph · 01/06/2023 09:10

Cheating? A junction near me is set out like this and the right turn is banned - you have to turn left and use the roundabout to return (the roundabout is less than a quarter of a mile.

ODFODeary · 01/06/2023 09:09

It's more sensible to do that to keep the traffic moving

Blossomandbee · 01/06/2023 09:05

I would turn left. Who or what is it cheating?

BewareTheBeardedDragon · 01/06/2023 09:00

Cheating 😂😂😂 whoever said that is a little bit odd.
It's fine and sensible and I have done it on multiple occasions. I hate busy right turns.

BitOutOfPractice · 01/06/2023 08:51

Who’s told you it’s cheating? It’s perfectly fine.