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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
Gcn · 15/08/2024 18:39

It's not a race to see who gets on the roundabout first

Original poster
AndiOliversGlasses · 15/08/2024 18:38

Bellamari · 15/08/2024 18:35

Yes those three points are perfectly accurate. I can see you’re trying to be snarky but in actual fact that’s what everyone does.

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I’m not trying to be snarky. I am asking why driving like this would not make me competent? (“2 out of 3 at best” re safe/good visibility/competent)

OP posts:
Makingchocolatecake · 15/08/2024 18:37

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
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Because this is not the rule of the road even if it makes sense. Roundabouts are so the flow is less affected, not so everyone needed to slow down

Bellamari · 15/08/2024 18:35

AndiOliversGlasses · 15/08/2024 18:14

OK, let’s break this down. You’ve told me what the rule is for approaching a roundabout.

  1. always give way to everything on your right including any car approaching the roundabout but not on it yet.
  2. Never yield to anyone on your left, they should wait till you pass.
  3. Do not slow down on approach to the roundabout if you can see clearly that there is nothing coming from the right, and no other hazards to avoid.

What else are you saying a driver has to do to be “competent”?

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Yes those three points are perfectly accurate. I can see you’re trying to be snarky but in actual fact that’s what everyone does.

Original poster
AndiOliversGlasses · 15/08/2024 18:35

Ivehearditbothways · 15/08/2024 18:34

Are you being deliberately obtuse? Or do you really not understand?

Do you think if they don’t have to do a full emergency stop, then you’ve done thing wrong? You are very very wrong and a really shitty driver.

If someone to your right has to slow down because of you then you are wrong to drive. If they have using their horn then it is exactly because they had to slow down for you.

You should not be on the road. You’re lucky you haven’t pulled out in front of someone not paying attention.

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The horn is to alert someone to get out of your way. It tends, however, to be used as a way of communicating anger after the event.

OP posts:
WrigglyDonCat · 15/08/2024 18:34

Not read all the responses yet but I can see the general pattern:

Everyone is correct @AndiOliversGlasses , you should be giving way to the cars approaching from the right if you will affect them. Their only duty is to be slow enough to give way to traffic from their right.

The cars from the left are not giving way because you are not driving onto the roundabout at a guess. If you sit and wait for them to stop, most won't, they will accept your kind invitation to continue. If it is clear right and someone is approaching from the left, you slowly enter the roundabout monitoring them to make sure they behave.

My authority is 35 years driving and 11 years as an ADI.

Ivehearditbothways · 15/08/2024 18:34

AndiOliversGlasses · 15/08/2024 18:29

Horn and brakes are connected? Well I never.

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Are you being deliberately obtuse? Or do you really not understand?

Do you think if they don’t have to do a full emergency stop, then you’ve done thing wrong? You are very very wrong and a really shitty driver.

If someone to your right has to slow down because of you then you are wrong to drive. If they have using their horn then it is exactly because they had to slow down for you.

You should not be on the road. You’re lucky you haven’t pulled out in front of someone not paying attention.

simmertime · 15/08/2024 18:33

AndiOliversGlasses · 15/08/2024 17:16

So can I just be clear- all of you drive straight into roundabouts at or above the top speed limit as long as there is no traffic visible to your right?

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Yes.

Original poster
AndiOliversGlasses · 15/08/2024 18:31

Or maybe I missed the bit in the driving test emergency stop where they taught you to beep first?

OP posts:
napody · 15/08/2024 18:30

I think in OPs language a 'sensible speed'= everyone else slowing down to let ME out. And 'allowing traffic to flow' means 'allowing ME to keep moving no matter what's happening around me'.

Original poster
AndiOliversGlasses · 15/08/2024 18:29

Ivehearditbothways · 15/08/2024 18:27

But cars are using their horn when you go, which means they are having to hit their brakes because of you. So you don’t have the time to go without impeding them. You are wrong.

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Horn and brakes are connected? Well I never.

OP posts:
Ivehearditbothways · 15/08/2024 18:27

AndiOliversGlasses · 15/08/2024 17:30

What part of “if you have time and space to pull out” wasn’t clear?

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But cars are using their horn when you go, which means they are having to hit their brakes because of you. So you don’t have the time to go without impeding them. You are wrong.

LlamaNoDrama · 15/08/2024 18:24

I think you're just on the wind up tbh op.

Original poster
AndiOliversGlasses · 15/08/2024 18:24

takealettermsjones · 15/08/2024 18:19

"Aibu?"

"Yes"

"No I'm not!!"

Sigh

No, I’ve literally said I intend to drive as others have told me from now on. But I also think that it’s typical of MN to jump from advice to personal abuse and so forgive me if I don’t just lie down and take a beating.

OP posts:
sunsetsandboardwalks · 15/08/2024 18:19

AndiOliversGlasses · 15/08/2024 18:08

My point is that the person not at fault can still act to avoid an accident, even if they don’t feel they should have to. Attributing blame is just about allocating the costs afterwards.

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Well yes, of course they can - and clearly they do as you seem to get beeped at on a regular basis!

But that doesn't change the fact that it would be you held responsible by insurance, and by the police if someone was injured (or worse). You don't seem to care about that though 🤷‍♀️

takealettermsjones · 15/08/2024 18:19

"Aibu?"

"Yes"

"No I'm not!!"

Sigh

Original poster
AndiOliversGlasses · 15/08/2024 18:16

LlamaNoDrama · 15/08/2024 18:10

And don't assume the person approaching the roundabout will slow down as much you would like them too. Otherwise they'll beep you when you pull out in front of them.

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Yeah but to be honest I’m not that bothered by snarky little beeps. Collisions, sure, prefer to avoid those, but have done so far.

OP posts:
autienotnaughty · 15/08/2024 18:15

PuppyMonkey · 15/08/2024 17:32

There’s a mini roundabout near me where it’s a bit different to OP scenario as it’s 3 exits going off in separate directions and whenever I drive through it, I seem to arrive at the same time as cars coming from both the other exits and we ALL are indicating right. So everyone sits there waiting politely like a numpty till someone takes the initiative and goes…Grin

We have one like this!!

Original poster
AndiOliversGlasses · 15/08/2024 18:14

Smithhy · 15/08/2024 18:08

It is right to do if it is safe with good visibility and you are a competent driver.

I think you’ll get 2 out of 3 at best.

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OK, let’s break this down. You’ve told me what the rule is for approaching a roundabout.

  1. always give way to everything on your right including any car approaching the roundabout but not on it yet.
  2. Never yield to anyone on your left, they should wait till you pass.
  3. Do not slow down on approach to the roundabout if you can see clearly that there is nothing coming from the right, and no other hazards to avoid.

What else are you saying a driver has to do to be “competent”?

OP posts:
LlamaNoDrama · 15/08/2024 18:10

AndiOliversGlasses · 15/08/2024 18:06

Isn’t there a principle that you should treat everyone else on the road as if they were an idiot? Don’t assume someone indicating will actually turn, don’t assume people will stop at traffic lights, don’t assume people won’t pull out in front of you?

And don't assume the person approaching the roundabout will slow down as much you would like them too. Otherwise they'll beep you when you pull out in front of them.

Smithhy · 15/08/2024 18:08

AndiOliversGlasses · 15/08/2024 18:01

That’s literally what I have been told by multiple posters it is my right to do. Why is it now suddenly bad driving?

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It is right to do if it is safe with good visibility and you are a competent driver.

I think you’ll get 2 out of 3 at best.

Original poster
AndiOliversGlasses · 15/08/2024 18:08

sunsetsandboardwalks · 15/08/2024 18:04

I'm not sure what your point is.

Yes, the accident would happen but not because they'd done anything wrong - but because the person on the left had driven like an idiot.

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My point is that the person not at fault can still act to avoid an accident, even if they don’t feel they should have to. Attributing blame is just about allocating the costs afterwards.

OP posts:
ImRonBurgandy · 15/08/2024 18:06

No accidents in 34 years, but I bet you've seen plenty in the rear view....

Original poster
AndiOliversGlasses · 15/08/2024 18:06

Isn’t there a principle that you should treat everyone else on the road as if they were an idiot? Don’t assume someone indicating will actually turn, don’t assume people will stop at traffic lights, don’t assume people won’t pull out in front of you?

OP posts:
sunsetsandboardwalks · 15/08/2024 18:04

AndiOliversGlasses · 15/08/2024 18:03

Yeah but the accident still happened didn’t it?

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I'm not sure what your point is.

Yes, the accident would happen but not because they'd done anything wrong - but because the person on the left had driven like an idiot.

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