Roundabout question: Which lane should I be in here?

[KingOfTheInternet]

I don't like big roundabouts

Unfortunately, I have to use them for work.

This roundabout is one I use frequently: www.google.co.uk/maps/place/55%C2%B003'57.9%22N+1%C2%B034'40.6%22W/@55.0660721,-1.58013,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m14!1m7!3m6!1s0x487e73b38eb11237:0x487e73b3801bb738!2sSeghill+Reservoir!3b1!8m2!3d55.0671658!4d-1.5755109!3m5!1s0x0:0x0!7e2!8m2!3d55.0660689!4d-1.5779362

I got beeped on it yesterday, so I think I was in the wrong lane.

I was on the A189 southbound and wanted to continue to be so (so 2nd exit). There were four lanes (controlled by traffic lights). I was in the far left lane, which I thought was okay, but I got beeped and ended up having to go onto the A19 (1st exit).

Which lane should I have been in?

Thanks

Not the far left. One of the two middle ones I would have thought!

According to the road markings you should have been in lane 3.

Lanes 1 and 2 are for the A19.

The left lane clearly has a filter onto the A19 which is why you ended up there. Either of the middle lanes should be fine to carry on the A189 (presume there are 2 lanes exiting there). I'd favour the left of the 2 middle to be sure.

The third lane from left, the one which has A189S written on the carriage way.

The two left hand hand both have A19S painted on them.

It's clearly marked on the road and I'm guessing on a road sign too that you should be in lanes 3 and 4

It’s says on the actual lanes which ones are for which roads. Zoom in on the map and you can clearly see which lane you should have been in.

It's written on the road, I can see it in the link.

OP you've linked us to a googlemap.

Click on the map. Open in googlemaps.

Turn on satellite.

Zoom in to your map.

Turn phone upside down.

Read writing on road.

There's your answer.

Sign.

If the signposting and lane markings did not give adequate advance notice on which lane to get into (my area is a bugger for this, plus you tend to have to anticipate your lane for 3 junctions time) then for 2nd exit and 4 lanes, then I would assume lane 2 and not lane 1.

In this case there are markings in advance, so should have been enough notice to get into the correct lane.

It literally tells you on the road which lane to be in. If you'd have gone straight ok from the left hand lane you could have caused all sorts of problems!

There's a sign even further back that tells you that the left hand lane of the dual carriageway is for the A19, and all other traffic should be in the right hand lane! Phone won't let me post a picture though.

Have you been driving long OP?

First sign

I think you’ve answered your own question with where you’ve dropped the pin 😂 If you zoom in it says on the road A189S and the 2 left lanes say A19S so you need to be in the third lane from the left. I always have a look on Google maps if driving somewhere unfamiliar and check out the exits and roundabouts as you can’t always see what it says on the road esp when its busy.

Thank you so much. I don't think I saw the sign.

No, I haven't been driving long. I passed my test just before lockdown and then had little practice for a year. I am currently taking refresher lessons on the motorway to help me out.

Keep at it OP.

Bigger roundabouts are actually usually easy as you just follow instructions! Keep an eye out for signs and allow the road markings to guide you.

Practice makes perfect!

And road markings

Big roundabouts are tricky if you’re a new driver.
Good that you’re getting refresher lessons. Ask your instructor to take you round a few for practice.

I think you need to watch some videos about the rules, mental notes we make at big roundabouts.

I am teaching Ds1 to drive and some of the videos are fab. It talks you through it and you think 'of course that makes complete sense, re whether you are taking the 4th, 5th or 6th exit.

And roundabouts are cleverly designed to make you get in the right lane, and then naturally follow it round. The roundabout kind of 'guides your itself'

Once that clicks, you are like: ok, now I get it!

That pic posted by ElizabethTudor has not been marked correctly with the red crosses and green ticks. You should be in LANE 3 only. From left, the lanes are:

1 - A19(S)
2- A19(S)
3 - A189(S)
4 - A19(N)

@KingOfTheInternet

Thank you so much. I don't think I saw the sign.

No, I haven't been driving long. I passed my test just before lockdown and then had little practice for a year. I am currently taking refresher lessons on the motorway to help me out.

There are two road signs and lots of road markings on the road. I would practice driving on these kinds of roads when it's really quiet - get up early (6-7 am on a weekend will be dead) and practice looking at signs as well as the driving.

Choose somewhere you don't know and get there by following signs, looking out for them on the road as well as at the side.

Practice! You'll get there. Do you have a P on the back of your car? May make people a bit more patient

@HilaryBriss

That pic posted by ElizabethTudor has not been marked correctly with the red crosses and green ticks. You should be in LANE 3 only. From left, the lanes are:

1 - A19(S)
2- A19(S)
3 - A189(S)
4 - A19(N)

You're right - just lane 3 isn't it?

Yes. As per my first response.

It’s Lane 3, I use that roundabout regularly.