Mini roundabouts! Whose right of way? Diagram included!

[Rocketlady]

Not my finest artwork, but if vehicle A is is indicating to turn to their right (left in pic!) and vehicle B wants to go straight on, whose right of way is it?

Always give way to the right

There is no confusion. A has priority, if as the diagram implies, they arrive at the roundabout at the same time. However, if A had been further back, B can go if they have time to do so without getting in A’s way. Simple.

To take a simpler example, suppose you want to turn left on to a main road from an ordinary “give way” side road. You give way to traffic from the right; but this does not mean you have to wait until there is absolutely nothing on the right. If you are confident you can complete the turn, and get up to speed before another driver reaches you, you may go. B could go in the same situation.

There is no confusion. A has priority, if as the diagram implies, they arrive at the roundabout at the same time. However, if A had been further back, B can go if they have time to do so without getting in A’s way. Simple.

To take a simpler example, suppose you want to turn left on to a main road from an ordinary “give way” side road. You give way to traffic from the right; but this does not mean you have to wait until there is absolutely nothing on the right. If you are confident you can complete the turn, and get up to speed before another driver reaches you, you may go. B could go in the same situation.

scalt and the rest of you who think A has priority if both cars reach the roundabout at the same time, can you explain why? It can't be because "give way to the right" because until they enter the roundabout neither car is to the right of the orher. Once they enter, each car is to the right of the other.

I agree with this I think

A, if they arrived at the same time.

If B reached the roundabout before A then they might well be able to nip across too - this depends on knowledge of the specific roundabout and also potentially drivers (there are loads of hesitant drivers where I live, in recognisable cars, and they literally just sit there until everyone else goes, even if we give them plenty of time/space!).

Sorry but you're not answering. I get that you think A has priority, my question is WHY would A have priority?

It's not obvious, because there is this thing called 'the Highway Code'. It's this weird document that lots of road users follow.

It's very simple. You give way to the right. I cannot believe you don't understand this.

Sarah there is nothing in the Highway Code that gives A priority to turn in front of B. If you think there is, please quote it. Remember, B is to the right of A at the moment A wants to cross B's path.

I'm genuinely not trying to be snarky so I don't see why you are. I'm a driving instructor and I agree with a PP that if this uncertainty really is upsetting people this much maybe my firm should suggest to the DVSA and DfT that they clarify.

Ok, I accept this is very complicated. The first thing you have to understand is that human being developed this idea that you can define relative position. It's amazing! I know it will be hard for you, but imagine you are looking towards your right. Ask an adult what that means, and they will help. If you are still finding it hard, get a felt tip pet and put a dot on the hand that's on your right.

Now, imagine you are driving a car. Where is that hand with the dot on it? Look at it, and look at where the other car is coming from. If they are on that side, then you must not get in their way. Obviously, if they are three miles away and you have remarkable visual acuity, you can afford to nip out ahead of them - you will make the turn before the even see you are there. But, in general, if they arrive just as you do, so any rational human being would think they'd arrived to the right of you just as you went to enter the roundabout, then you must stop. This is something called 'The Highway Code'. It is designed so people don't hit each other when they drive the big moving metal things we call 'cars'. Most driving instructors are very aware of this.

The thing that gives A priority is called a 'roundabout'.

It's a weird, little-known structure where you give way to the right.

Sarah it's a circle. B is as much to A's right as A is to B's right. Perhaps try looking at OP's diagram upside down and this might be clearer to you?

Absolutely. Yes. It is a 'circle'.

It's just that, in terms of driving, this circle has a name. It is called a 'rouddabout'.

It's actually a whole thing with its own rules.

Anyway the good news is that in 40+ years of driving I've never had this accident and neither apparently have you so 🤷🏼‍♀️

Absolutely not, it's always give way to the vehicle on the right. Please read the Highway code again for all our sacks.

A isn’t on the roundabout.

B can get across before A gets there.

If A is on the roundabout then B must wait. But A isn’t. A is on the approach.

Really the point at which right of way is determined for any driver at a roundabout is the point where, as they are preparing to enter the roundabout, they look to their right. If there is space, they enter the roundabout. If there is not, they wait.

"Remember, B is to the right of A at the moment A wants to cross B's path."

If the timing is such that they will reach the same point on the roundabout when A wants to cross B's path, B will be to the left (or in front) of A and A will be to the right of B. In order to reach B, A must already be on the roundabout before B joins it (unless A is tearing round on 2 wheels). If that situation won't occur, then B can either go before A will reach him or pass behind A.

It might be easier to think in terms of 'should I give way?' rather than 'do I have priority?'

And always keep in mind, as on the gov.uk website
"The rules in The Highway Code do not give you the right of way in any circumstance, but they advise you when you should give way to others. Always give way if it can help to avoid an incident."

I don't/ can't drive but have always been told that you give way to the right. So A has right of way.

However, the disagreements about this shown on this thread are part of the reason I dont want to learn to drive. Its scary!

Well this is a terrifying read.

No, the diagram shows both A and B entering the roundabout. If it is big roundabout and B can get out without bothering A, that is fine. But the OP says clearly it is a mini roundabout. A has priority.

Ok. This is helpful because finally I see why some of you don't grasp that B is to A's right too. You are looking at the diagram as posted by OP with A at the top and thinking of the left as the left of the diagram. The Highway Code means to the left of the driver of each car, though, not the left as seen on the sketch. Gently, therefore, Amicissima, no, B is not to A's left when A goes to turn, but on A's right. A is trying to turn right and B is in the way for that very reason. A's right, not the picture's right side. And as I said, you can equally look at OP's diagram upside down. B is NOT at any point on A's left. Each car is at all times equally to the right of the other and when A goes to turn to HIS right, B is to A's right even though A is also to B's right. They are passing right to right. It's no wonder people get befuddled

I just realised my original reply didnt really answer the question. I'd say A is to the right of B because B is going straight on, so although they are on the right hand side of A, they are not actually "approaching" A (if that makes any sense)

Reading the highway code, I think the wording is important - "give way to traffic approaching from the right"

I Google that to just to make sure I wasn't going mad. And your right it's traffic approaching fro your right. So A defiantly has priority, but it is the case that you still need to be careful.

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When reaching the roundabout you should

• give priority to traffic approaching from your right, unless directed otherwise by signs, road markings or traffic lights