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Roundabout question: Which lane should I be in here?

47 replies

KingOfTheInternet · 15/05/2021 10:32

I don't like big roundabouts Sad

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

OP posts:
Hallyup6 · 15/05/2021 11:23

Lane 3. If you use the GPS service on Google maps it specifically tells you which lane to be in, if you're unfamiliar with the route. Otherwise, take note of road markings and signs. Big roundabouts can still confuse the hell out of me and I've been driving for 20 years. You'll get there. Sometimes you just have to accept you've gone wrong and stick in the lane you're in.

Imnothereforthedrama · 15/05/2021 11:28

Look at the road signs and road markings ahead , people get in the wrong lanes all the time but if you indicate look then manoeuvre in plenty of time. I go to work on a similar roundabout and at first I was worried but looked at the road signs ahead and was careful.

WhatMattersMost · 15/05/2021 11:34

Th markings are very clear, and I'm concerned about your safety and other drivers' if you struggled to do the right thing.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Jongleurterre · 15/05/2021 11:38

Op, these will blow your mind

www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/gallery/the-worlds-other-spaghetti-junctions-7779207

Northernsoullover · 15/05/2021 11:52

You did the right thing coming off. I've been in the wrong lane before and ended up coming off an exit I didnt want to or doing a lap of honour to come around in the correct lane. Even though its on the road sometimes its not helpful if traffic is on top of the markings. When you know you are going to approach a big roundabout always check for signs well in advance. I've been driving for over twenty years and some roundabouts I still have to triple check!

Returnoftheowl · 15/05/2021 13:00

It's the 3rd lane... The 1st exit on roundabouts general is for the 1st exit.

If I really don't know where I'm going on a roundabout I find getting in the most right hand lane the best idea as you can go around the roundabout again once you've figured out which exit you need.

SimonJT · 15/05/2021 13:04

@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.

You’ll get there, I found roundabouts a nightmare when I first passed, as your skills develop you’ll find reading the road etc easier as the driving process itself becomes more natural.
OutComeTheWolves · 15/05/2021 13:06

I know this roundabout and I bloody hate it for this exact reason. It's difficult to know where you're meant to be!

Shirtyllama · 15/05/2021 13:22

You will get it, some great tips here, and definitely practice with instructor or sympathetic friend (or be a passenger with them and get them to talk you through what they do). I had same problem as you at first, and I was so upset and worried when someone said I wasn't safe - but I then learnt how to tackle them properly and with knowledge and confidence you can do it. You'll get the hang of it and feel really pleased!

FrothyB · 15/05/2021 13:27

@WhatMattersMost

Th markings are very clear, and I'm concerned about your safety and other drivers' if you struggled to do the right thing.
Somewhat harsh I think. Everybody makes mistakes, no matter how long you've been driving or how good you are normally. The worst thing you can do is make someone who's anxious about a situation on the road more anxious.

Then again, I feel from the tone of your post you get a little self satisfaction from the put down.

For what it's worth OP if you happen to read this, I remember being told, probably during my car, but potentially my HGV, that the standard at 4 exit roundabouts is lane 1 for 1st and 2nd exit, lane 2 for 3rd and 4th exist. That's just a general "rule" though.

The most important thing is to read the signage on the approach to any junction. I'd imagine like most people you have a sat nav of some kind on and are possibly focusing on that to direct you.

If you do find yourself in the wrong lane, its far better to come off at thr wrong exit and then come back on yourself than to cut across lanes to get to where you want to be. Also, don't feel too intimidated by someone beeping. More often than not it's a warning to you that they are there, or that you are moving too close to them or potentially doing something dangerous, rather than them being overtly aggressive.

Everyone gets it wrong from time to time, from newly passed drivers, to Advanced Driving instructors.

picklemewalnuts · 15/05/2021 13:33

Remember people, there are often cars over the road while you drive on it, and high sided vehicles obscuring the signs, so it isn't always easy to see which lane is which.

Try and be patient with people doing it wrong, they aren't being wilfully ignorant they just don't know the road as well as you!

The roundabouts where I live are managed totally differently to the ones where I grew up- my visitors often struggle.

My mother is a law unto herself, though- she knows what Lane she wants to be in where, and no amount of signage will change her mind!

MilduraS · 15/05/2021 13:35

I have a huge fear of roundabouts like this. Not brilliant when you live near Milton Keynes Blush I'll never forget the day I ended up on the M1 for the first time because I was in the wrong lane. My 30 minute drive home took me over an hour. I always check google for tricky roundabouts beforehand and use google maps while driving which tells you the right lane 99% of the time. The markings on the road aren't useful during rush hour when you can't see them until you're about to drive over them.

Namechangeforthis88 · 15/05/2021 18:39

I appreciate it might have been difficult to see the signs and road markings at the time, but op has posted the link to the answer to her own question and is still confused! People who have never been there can easily see. As soon as she looked up the link she should have realised.

NerrSnerr · 15/05/2021 18:43

*Remember people, there are often cars over the road while you drive on it, and high sided vehicles obscuring the signs, so it isn't always easy to see which lane is which.

Try and be patient with people doing it wrong, they aren't being wilfully ignorant they just don't know the road as well as you!*

If the OP missed all the signs (at least 2) and the road-markings it still should have been obvious being in that left lane that you don't cut across the 2 lanes to go straight on. It is really dangerous and she could have causes an accident. You really need to have a basic understanding of roundabouts to drive safely.

NerrSnerr · 15/05/2021 18:44

Bold fail on my previous post.

NUFC69 · 15/05/2021 20:19

We live relatively near to this roundabout and I couldn't tell you how many near misses/cars in the wrong lane we see. It's not easy at all. If, for instance you are coming from the A19 in the north and want to turn to go south on the A189, you start off in the offside lane, next traffic lights you are still off side, then before the next lights you have to go over, I think, 2 lanes, before moving over one more lane before the lights where you actually turn off to the left. Most local people are very careful because so many visiting cars get it wrong. The Seaton Burn roundabout (next one along going to the A1) is a nightmare for us: we sit at the lights waiting to turn off left to the road where the Services are, there is room for one and a half cars. The fear is that your car is going to be rear ended by traffic heading at speed for the A1. The problem at both of these roundabout is that there are too many exits too close together, so it's not as simple as it should be. I knew where you were before even looking at the link.

dancerdog · 15/05/2021 20:23

OP, sympathy from me - my sister lived in Cramlington, it was sometimes hit or miss if we ended up heading the right way!

DentonsFringeArnottsWaistcoat · 15/05/2021 20:29

Do you have a P on the back of your car? May make people a bit more patient
Do you think so? My DD thinks it’ll make people act even more like dicks. Since she’s been learning, and clearly in a little car marked with L plates front and back, I have been shocked at how some other drivers treat Learners. She says it’s much worse in her own car than when in the actual driving school car. And I haven’t noticed people behaving this dickish when I’m driving my car.

Theunamedcat · 15/05/2021 20:39

Everyone makes mistakes i was in the absolutely correct lane the other day heard beeping behind me looked in my mirror to see two huge range rovers vying for who was going to take the arse off my car first I booted it out of there fortunately there was nothing infront whats worse is one car was clearly coming out of a protected lane (you get in it for one road only it does NOT go all round the island) and decided it wanted my spot on the road and the other car was just up my arse

Shit happens even when your in the right lane

KingOfTheInternet · 15/05/2021 23:31

Thank you everyone. At least I have a clear answer now (3rd lane)!

OP posts:
ElizabethTudor · 16/05/2021 01:27

Goodness Op, I’m very sorry, maybe I need to go to an opticians or have some further driving lessons myself.
Good luck to you though.

WhatMattersMost · 16/05/2021 22:15

@FrothyB - It depends on the tone you heard in your head when you read it. As a factual statement, I think it's accurate.

Glad you're clearer now, OP.

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