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AIBU?

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Original poster

To think that people don’t use this mini roundabout correctly? (Diagram and picture)

233 replies

AndiOliversGlasses · 15/08/2024 16:46

This is on a regular route I drive and I am always approaching it from the angle seen in the photo, to turn right. My approach road is short so no time to build up any speed. As you can see, it is really a T junction of a smaller road in to a bigger one, but it has been configured with a mini roundabout.

Nine times out of 10 traffic coming from the right or the left doesn’t slow down, so even if a car coming from my right is not on the roundabout yet it will beep at me if I pull out and cause it to slow down. I know that the rule is give way to traffic coming from the right, but doesn’t that only apply to traffic already on the roundabout?

I can see that the problem with a mini one is that there is much less time that the car is actually “on” it, but surely everyone should be slowing down as they approach a roundabout?

At this one, usually the only way to get out is by waiting for a pedestrian to cross at the zebra and stop the traffic from the right that way.

AIBU to think that a mini roundabout is still a roundabout and the normal rules should apply? Or am I misunderstanding the rules?

To think that people don’t use this mini roundabout correctly? (Diagram and picture)
To think that people don’t use this mini roundabout correctly? (Diagram and picture)
OP posts:
WeeGreenJumper · 15/08/2024 17:02

https://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/roundabouts.html

It's your job to give way to traffic coming from the right. Mini roundabouts are the same as bigger roundabouts. The idea of accommodating people so you can both pass through with minimal fuss isn't necessarily a bad one, it's just not what it says on the highway code and would leave a lot of ambiguity around fault should something go wrong I would think!

Using the road - Roundabouts (184 to 190)

On approaching a roundabout take notice and act on all the information available to you, including traffic signs, traffic lights and lane markings which direct you into the correct lane.

https://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/roundabouts.html

Bellamari · 15/08/2024 17:01

AndiOliversGlasses · 15/08/2024 16:59

But why would it not slow down to a reasonable speed on approach so that I don’t need to give way, as we can both cross the roundabout at our own reasonable speeds?

Edited
Show quote history

Because you are the one who has to give way! Car B in your diagram doesn’t have to slow down - Car A has to slow down and give way. That’s how driving works. As pp said, no wonder you’re always getting beeped!

Smithhy · 15/08/2024 17:01

I would expect that traffic from the right would only yield to traffic coming from straight ahead and turning right.

Original poster
AndiOliversGlasses · 15/08/2024 17:00

Kaaraa · 15/08/2024 16:53

I know that the rule is give way to traffic coming from the right, but doesn’t that only apply to traffic already on the roundabout?

No, it means slow down, see if anythings approaching the roundabout and if it is then give way!! No wonder you're always getting beeped.

What’s your authority for this?

OP posts:
Original poster
AndiOliversGlasses · 15/08/2024 16:59

Bellamari · 15/08/2024 16:56

If a car is approaching from your right you have to give way to it, even if it’s not actually on the roundabout yet. In your diagram A should slow down and give way to B.

But why would it not slow down to a reasonable speed on approach so that I don’t need to give way, as we can both cross the roundabout at our own reasonable speeds?

OP posts:
Bellamari · 15/08/2024 16:56

If a car is approaching from your right you have to give way to it, even if it’s not actually on the roundabout yet. In your diagram A should slow down and give way to B.

JaneGrint · 15/08/2024 16:55

There’s a few similar mini roundabouts near where I live.

If I can see a car approaching from the right - close enough that it’d have to slow down if I pulled out in front of it - then I’ll wait for a bigger gap.

I suppose technically the other car’s not on the roundabout yet and all that, but that’s wouldn’t be much comfort to me if there’s a collision because the car approaching from the right doesn’t react quickly enough to slow / stop in time on the (very very small) roundabout.

Kaaraa · 15/08/2024 16:53

I know that the rule is give way to traffic coming from the right, but doesn’t that only apply to traffic already on the roundabout?

No, it means slow down, see if anythings approaching the roundabout and if it is then give way!! No wonder you're always getting beeped.

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