Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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:
User79853257976 · 15/08/2024 17:35

AndiOliversGlasses · 15/08/2024 17:03

OK So what about the cars coming from the left. Should they not be giving way to me? (They don’t).

They should be but if they can see you can’t go because someone is approaching on your right, they can go.

sunsetsandboardwalks · 15/08/2024 17:35

AndiOliversGlasses · 15/08/2024 17:30

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

I mean, it was perfectly clear, but you clearly don't have time and space if people are constantly beeping at you!

noctilucentcloud · 15/08/2024 17:35

AndiOliversGlasses · 15/08/2024 17:06

But on a full-size roundabout, which is what that guidance is written for, traffic “approaching” is already on the roundabout. If they were not already on the roundabout there would be enough space for you to pull out before they reached you, unless they were speeding.

Whatever size roundabout (mini, small normal, big normal, huge gigantic one) you give way to the right - whether that be a car approaching the roundabout from the right or already on the roundabout. They have right of way.

KielderWater · 15/08/2024 17:33

IMustDoMoreExercise · 15/08/2024 17:32

But the person coming from the right only has to give way to the person on his right if that person is turning right. If the person on his right is not turning right, then the person on your right can just carry on.

Unless a pedestrian steps onto the zebra crossing…

HunterHearstHelmsley · 15/08/2024 17:33

AndiOliversGlasses · 15/08/2024 17:24

Well, in all driving situations (eg pulling out at a T junction) the question as to whether traffic is “approaching” is matter of judgment by the driver- that is what you have to decide every time you pull out. Just because you can see a car doesn’t mean you have to wait for it to pass if you have time and space to pull out before it gets to you. You obviously have to be aware that some drivers will behave badly- eg you are pulling out in to a 20 limit and the car in the distance is approaching at 30 so you know it’s not safe to pull out.

The point I am making is that for a roundabout to work as intended everyone should be approaching at speeds that allow the traffic to flow. Otherwise it may as well just have remained a T junction.

If you see a car 100 yards away on your right then you don't need to stop as you'll have completed your manoeuvre and be on your way before they get there. See the same car 5 yards away, then you need to stop.

It's frustrating sitting at a roundabout and more and more traffic coming and having to wait. But that's what you have to do if it's busy.

Sometimes roundabouts don't work at certain junctions and traffic lights would work better.

Killingoffmyflowersonebyone · 15/08/2024 17:32

AndiOliversGlasses · 15/08/2024 17:25

34 years. No accidents.

Likely down to other peoples good driving rather than your own.

You are definitely in the wrong here. You should not be forcing your way of traffic is approaching on your right - and if they smashed into you, you’d be at fault (so says my insurance after some silly boy racer did exactly what you do and got side swiped by me).

IMustDoMoreExercise · 15/08/2024 17:32

AndiOliversGlasses · 15/08/2024 17:11

I argue that the person approaching from the right should not treat the roundabout like a T junction and should approach with some degree of caution, allowing the traffic to flow as intended because there is no need to “give way” or yield as everyone has enough space if sensible speeds are observed.

Edited

But the person coming from the right only has to give way to the person on his right if that person is turning right. If the person on his right is not turning right, then the person on your right can just carry on.

Ozanj · 15/08/2024 17:32

HunterHearstHelmsley · 15/08/2024 17:30

There's two mini roundabouts by me. For one of them, the people on the main road seem to think they have priority over those coming out of the side road, not giving way to the right as they should. For the second one, the same drivers follow the rules. It's baffling! I'd understand if it was different drivers but it's the same people!

I also know someone who thinks people on the main road have priority as above. She won't listen to reason, that there would be no point in there even being a roundabout if that were the case. How she hasn't had multiple accidents I'll never know.

Edited

Not always true. Depends on road markings.

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

Kaaraa · 15/08/2024 17:32

AndiOliversGlasses · 15/08/2024 17:30

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

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

This part.

AndiOliversGlasses · 15/08/2024 17:30

sunsetsandboardwalks · 15/08/2024 17:26

Just because you can see a car doesn’t mean you have to wait for it to pass if you have time and space to pull out before it gets to you.

No, you do have to wait if your manoeuvre is going to cause the other car to slow down to avoid crashing into you.

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

OP posts:
Ozanj · 15/08/2024 17:30

AndiOliversGlasses · 15/08/2024 17:25

34 years. No accidents.

That’s not a good measure. Lots of people out there who hesitate at roundabouts or drive at 20mph & so get dodged or overtaken by other safer drivers. It’s when you meet someone like you that the accident will happen

HunterHearstHelmsley · 15/08/2024 17:30

Paintpalette · 15/08/2024 17:18

Yes, they should. You give way to the right, those people give way to their right (not you on their left) and so on all the way around.

As there are three exits, it should be straightforward, but as you say, these mini roundabouts are plonked where it could be a T-junction from the minor road and people don't like it because things end up opposite from what you expect (because basically cars from the minor road can turn right on to the major road with priority over those already on the main road and intending to continue straight on!)

Edited

There's two mini roundabouts by me. For one of them, the people on the main road seem to think they have priority over those coming out of the side road, not giving way to the right as they should. For the second one, the same drivers follow the rules. It's baffling! I'd understand if it was different drivers but it's the same people!

I also know someone who thinks people on the main road have priority as above. She won't listen to reason, that there would be no point in there even being a roundabout if that were the case. How she hasn't had multiple accidents I'll never know.

KielderWater · 15/08/2024 17:28

Cars approaching from the right must slow down and be ready to stop if a pedestrian steps onto the zebra crossing so no they shouldn’t continue at speed.

sunsetsandboardwalks · 15/08/2024 17:28

AndiOliversGlasses · 15/08/2024 17:25

34 years. No accidents.

Only because other drivers are paying attention!

Bellamari · 15/08/2024 17:27

AndiOliversGlasses · 15/08/2024 17:24

Well, in all driving situations (eg pulling out at a T junction) the question as to whether traffic is “approaching” is matter of judgment by the driver- that is what you have to decide every time you pull out. Just because you can see a car doesn’t mean you have to wait for it to pass if you have time and space to pull out before it gets to you. You obviously have to be aware that some drivers will behave badly- eg you are pulling out in to a 20 limit and the car in the distance is approaching at 30 so you know it’s not safe to pull out.

The point I am making is that for a roundabout to work as intended everyone should be approaching at speeds that allow the traffic to flow. Otherwise it may as well just have remained a T junction.

Yeah but you’re clearly misjudging it and pulling out when you don’t have time to do so. Otherwise you wouldn’t be getting beeped at.

Kaaraa · 15/08/2024 17:26

All traffic doesn't flow at all times on a roundabout. You need to give way to the right.

sunsetsandboardwalks · 15/08/2024 17:26

Just because you can see a car doesn’t mean you have to wait for it to pass if you have time and space to pull out before it gets to you.

No, you do have to wait if your manoeuvre is going to cause the other car to slow down to avoid crashing into you.

MargotMoon · 15/08/2024 17:25

Sorry OP, as much as you want to argue about it, you're in the wrong. And the Highway Code is clear, it's not just written for large roundabouts, it covers both. You need to stop and give way to traffic approaching from your right. If it means waiting until someone coming from your left indicates right and stops the traffic from your right then so be it.

And of course not everyone drives full speed onto a roundabout, although plenty of people do seem to behave like that!

AndiOliversGlasses · 15/08/2024 17:25

Kaaraa · 15/08/2024 17:23

I think a few refresher lessons would benefit you if you're needing to ask on the Internet how to approach roundabouts. It's dangerous. How long have you been driving?

34 years. No accidents.

OP posts:
AndiOliversGlasses · 15/08/2024 17:24

Bellamari · 15/08/2024 17:13

You need some more driving lessons! Traffic “approaching” does not mean traffic already on the roundabout. It also means traffic approaching the roundabout and just about to enter it.

Well, in all driving situations (eg pulling out at a T junction) the question as to whether traffic is “approaching” is matter of judgment by the driver- that is what you have to decide every time you pull out. Just because you can see a car doesn’t mean you have to wait for it to pass if you have time and space to pull out before it gets to you. You obviously have to be aware that some drivers will behave badly- eg you are pulling out in to a 20 limit and the car in the distance is approaching at 30 so you know it’s not safe to pull out.

The point I am making is that for a roundabout to work as intended everyone should be approaching at speeds that allow the traffic to flow. Otherwise it may as well just have remained a T junction.

OP posts:
GlasgowGal82 · 15/08/2024 17:24

Everyone should approach a roundabout with caution but someone approaching from your right only needs to give way to a car coming from your left who is turning onto your approach road. If you are going out in front of them so they need to slow down then you are in the wrong. The cars approaching from your left should give way to you, but I use a roundabout like this and have found that if I hesitate cars coming from the left will take advantage and just go anyway. It's not a great road design because cars coming from your direction are disadvantaged by the road layout. If I was you I'd be forcing my way out in front of cars coming from the left rather than the right, because that's who you have right of way over.

Kaaraa · 15/08/2024 17:23

I think a few refresher lessons would benefit you if you're needing to ask on the Internet how to approach roundabouts. It's dangerous. How long have you been driving?

Ozanj · 15/08/2024 17:23

You don’t sound like a safe driver. Roundabouts where multiple A roads cross often have 50mph limits but these only apply to people who don’t have to give way. You must always give way to traffic on your right.

Bellamari · 15/08/2024 17:23

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?

Nobody should be driving straight into a roundabout at the top speed limit. You should be slowing down a bit and looking to see what other traffic is approaching.

But yes, car B will probably drive straight across if there is no oncoming vehicle signalling right, because they don’t have to give way to any other vehicles.