Which lane should you be in? Diagram!

[CactusUmbrella]

If you were driving from where the red arrow is towards the roundabout, and going straight ahead to where the green arrow is, which lane should you be in?

Context is that I had a collision on this roundabout over 2 years ago, still hasn't been resolved and is now likely to go to court! Other driver claiming they were in correct lane, I believe I was...

I would have been in the right lane as I would have left the left hand lane for those turning left. The caveat to that would be me also assuming the left hand lane driver might be going the same way so I would be checking to my left as I moved around the roundabout and straight on.

Hmmm... tricky.

On balance I would say the left lane, however:

• Looking at the aerial shot of the roundabout it the green junction is just past 12 o'clock compared to the red, indicating that you could expect to use the right lane
• it could depend on the signage on the approach to the roundabout. If the signage showed that exit to be at 12 o'clock, definitely left lane. If it showed it offset I'd assume right lane on approach.

All of course depends on whether there was actual signage.

There may be a local "tradition" of how everyone does it that doesn't follow Highway Code "logic" (we have a few roundabouts near us where locals will turn right in left lanes - all not signposted, but everyone does it - we are just very, very wary that it might not be expected, so prepare accordingly!)

Ultimately it is a bit ambiguous and I wouldn't be surprised if insurance companies just went 50:50.

I've written this on the basis of the first post alone, and can see there are 11 pages of replies, so I'll go and read them now to see if I'm agreed with!

Before the left hand lane brigade pile on the difference between my driving and many others is I anticipate that every other driver out there is going to do something daft around me. I’ve been driving for 32 years. Two accidents in that time and neither accident my fault - both pulled out of side streets across my path).

My partner on the other hand has had lots and lots of accidents as he puts pressure on situations and doesn’t allow other people to mess up. I saw the dashcam footage of the last one and it was terrifying. I think finally he’s stopped that shit now.

The Highway Code used to say that you should be in the right hand lane unless you were taking the first exit. Now, it suggests that either lane is acceptable for going straight ahead in the absence of any road markings to the contrary. However, I don't think it really matters who was in the "correct" lane. If there are two or more lanes going round a roundabout, you are turning off and you are not in the leftmost lane, you need to be aware of any vehicles to your left and make sure you avoid them. After all, the vehicle to your left may not be turning off. Even if they are, if the exit is a single lane you need to merge with them.

@CactusUmbrella left lane

I think that they are just trying to intimidate you with court. A lot of people would not want to attend court.

Stick to your guns and unless your insurance company says that you must, I wouldn't even go 50:50 as you were not at fault.

He was in the wrong lane and he was behind you so should have checked his mirrors before he turned anyway.

Exactly. If you are in the right lane you need to check your mirror incase someone is on your left.

Left lane, - exit is single lane, there are no arrows, so always left lane.
I think you're taxi driver will be found to be at fault, more so if he failed to indicate.
Even if going straight over he still needs to indicate as he is turning left off the roundabout..

But just indicating isn't good enough. He also needs to check his mirrors to ensure there in no-one on his left.

Coming back to update now having read OP's points and having found the junction on street view and still think left lane.

Additionally, if you look on Google Streetview (https://maps.app.goo.gl/AGThiTWjMBo6Mh5q7) and follow along to the roundabout, you'll see the white van using the left lane to go straight on. I looked at historic dates too and can see the left lane is used to go straight on.

The taxi driver was obviously being a dick as, unfortunately, many of them are! Even if you could use either lane, he should have known you were there and it would have been obvious that you were going straight on, so there was no reason for him to have not avoided the collision. You, on the other hand, would easily have assumed he was turning right, so wouldn't have expected it.

Let it go to court - you'll obviously win IMO!

Either lane would be OK.

If you ask any other driver the rule of the road (unwritten)and common sense left hand lane to go any direction up to 12 o,clock then all other lanes approach from right lane

Really relevant detail - he was clearly 'behind' you, so even if he had wanted to go straight ahead, he should have followed you. He was surely doing some weaving to get round another car and try to overtake you.
Also the fact that you had to persuade him to stop.....!!
With these sorts of lanes, just have to be extra vigilant, as with no clear lane for left, right and straight on you can't take anything for granted!
Good luck.

PS. Don’t insurance companies say never to agree or disagree about “fault” after an accident? To leave that to the insurance company to decide and if necessary fight over? Admitting fault when you are not at fault might be problematic? Someone pls correct me if I’m wrong.

I think OP maybe wanted to settle without taking it to insurance company but - I think - if you are going to claim you should not have a conversation about “fault”, only take names, addresses, witnesses.

Regardless, I hope you get a positive outcome OP. Some taxi drivers treat the road like the Wild West.

Either lane. But if I was in the right lane, I would have signaled left and turned in behind you. He was in the wrong.

We have roundabouts like this near me where I never know if I should be in the left or right lane because the exit is exactly at 12 o clock.

I used to use the right lane, as there were a few exits before mine, but it seemed more dangerous that way as a lorry pulled out in front of me and there were several times a car was in the left lane blocking me from taking my exit. I stay left now, and that’s what most cars around me do. I try to stay vigilant for other drivers doing something else though.

You can use either lane to go ahead as there are no markings on approach. The right lane is the most convenient at the exit goes into a one lane there's a danger of getting boxed in using the left lane

Right lane on the approach is the most convenient as there are no road markings you can use either lane. There's a danger of getting boxed in as the exit comes into a one laner

Got to say it actually doesn't matter about the lane in reality there is no such thing as right of way when it comes to driving the fact of the matter is clearly you were in that lane whether you were meant to be there or not you were. When you cross a lane be it on a motorway to exit a round about or a junction it is your responsibility to make sure the space you want to put your vehicle is clear....what if it had been a pedestrian crossing the road would he have kept driving? Broken down vehicle? Again I think he would not of forced his way through worst case scenario here is they will gob50/50 but they won't settle in the third parties favour

To be honest I don't think it even matters who was in the right/wrong lane. From what I understand, you were turning off from the left hand lane and he was turning off into the same exit from the other lane. If he had done his observations he would have seen that there was a car there, and therefore shouldn't have just driven into it, whether he thought he had the right of way or not.

It's one of the simplest and first things you learn in your driving lessons. Observations.

But also - you were definitely right anyway.

Left would be the best, but technically either lane - but who ever is in outside lane has the legal right of way.

Are there any driving instructors on here?

I’ve never seen a car in single line traffic stay in the right hand lane to go straight ahead at a roundabout. If people did this on a regular basis surely there would be mayhem?!

Either as the exit is the same size as the entrance, which supports tow cars merging. There’s no markings to say otherwise.

I have a friend who had a collision because someone from the left hand lane went to the third exit (same layout as above) and it went down as 50/50 in court. Still baffles me to this day.

I have a local large roundabout where the road markings direct the right hand land out of three to go straight ahead. But there are two turn offs to the left before you get to straight ahead.

Definitely left lane. Only time you should be in the right hand lane is if there are arrows informing you to be in it.