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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder why people don't understand that the rules for mini-roundabouts are the same as for "normal" ones?

90 replies

Salmotrutta · 06/05/2011 22:44

Twice in two days I've seen people behave as if they have taken leave of their senses at mini-roundabouts:
a) Old lady blasted our horn at us because we were approaching from her right on a mini-roundabout and she was ready to go straight ahead. She clearly thought she had right of way when she didn't and was about to drive out in front of us. Actually she looked very old so maybe she was confused Confused.
b) Witnessed the same thing happening when a car ahead of me cut across the path of a car turning right (and travelling in the opposite direction to us, so coming from our right) at a mini-roundabout.

Do people think rules are different for mini-roundabouts??

I see this regularly - why??

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StatelyPoshBeartrothal · 06/05/2011 22:45

Really? I've never seen that before. I do see cars driving over the top of them, which I try not to do, but don't get too bothered

FlaminGreatGallah · 06/05/2011 22:48

Watching with interest as a learner-driver.

Since I have started observing when DH is driving I've noticed that very few people;

(a) indicate at roundabouts

(b) do so correctly

which makes the whole idea of having to learn to drive just that bit harder.

annapolly · 06/05/2011 22:51

I think there is a large amount of people who don't know how to use roundabouts, mini or otherwise.

Indicate left and keep on going, indicate right and go off to the left, if you trust their indicators you would be dicing with death.

Original poster
Salmotrutta · 06/05/2011 22:55

Stately - I do see this sort of thing (maybe because I live in a rural area where lots of small towns have mini-roundabouts) fairly regularly.

I also come across lots of "hesitating" - maybe because the roundabout is so much smaller people think they can't pull out without running the risk of someone else having to hit the brakes?? I don't know but I am always a bit more wary at mini roundabouts.

I certainly do observe the "give way to the cars coming from the right" rule though!!

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Original poster
Salmotrutta · 06/05/2011 22:57

anna - I think you're right about that too! My dad taught me to drive (along with my DH) and he always said never to trust someone's indicators.

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Ilythia · 06/05/2011 23:23

yy absolutely. I think the problems start when they change an old 'give way' for a mini roundabout, and people don't think to look.
The onyl time DH has been knocked off his bike was when a woman pulled out onto him as he was turning right a a mini roundabout. She said 'I thought it was my right of way' She was on the road dead opposite him, silly bitch.

microfight · 06/05/2011 23:29

yes but you you can't just drive round and round a mini roundabout until you find your exit can you? far too small for most cars turning circle!

onceamai · 06/05/2011 23:30

I think I know the basics, traffic from the right has priority and will take advantage if you pause and give it an inch - try not to stop unless there is a chance another car will hit you - sorry London driver. In reality the difference is the size - has anyone tried to drive straight across a big roundabout with a wall round it and a piece of sculpture in the middle.

nannyl · 06/05/2011 23:33

we have a new one in our village......

it has been there for nearly a year but SOOOOO many -annoying- people still refuse to use it like a roundabout.... drives me insane lol, and the amount of near misses I have had when i am using it to turn right, and the people going straight on seem to think they have right of way Confused

NO..... before the roundabout when it was a junction they had right of way.... NOW its a roundabout, and I have right of way

as i say its been nearly a year now and people STILL do it wrong GRRRRR

Original poster
Salmotrutta · 06/05/2011 23:33

Your poor DH Ilythia - silly people abound unfortunately!

You are right about changing right-of-way for mini-roundabout - that's possibly why people get forgetful when they have been driving that route for decades then it all gets changed on them. Despite the big "New Road Layout Ahead" signs. Grin

Off on a tangent - I think I may love Hugh Laurie. Been watching Graham Norton.

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Original poster
Salmotrutta · 06/05/2011 23:36

Another tangent - absolutely loved standing at the Arc De Triomphe (sp?) and watching the shenanigans last summer on holiday!!

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lilolilmanchester · 06/05/2011 23:39

I could have written the OP. We have two near our home and I have seen several near misses with people just ignoring them. Unbelievable.

CointreauVersial · 06/05/2011 23:41

When I learned to drive, the town where I took my test had only one roundabout (and that was on a sleepy residential road). It was pretty damn obvious where the test route was going to go; in fact, I think the majority of people driving across that roundabout in the course of a day were learner drivers, getting some roundabout practice in!

This was 1984; I would guess there are a few more there now. Grin

working9while5 · 06/05/2011 23:45

Actually, I've been learning to drive for over a year and taken several tests and while the rules as stated in the Highway code are the same here, I have had two instructors tell me that indicating is optional and have not indicated at a mini-roundabout in two tests and not incurred a fault. You do have to ensure you don't go onto the roundabout and drive safely but that is all (as far as I've been told).

PlanetEarth · 06/05/2011 23:46

There's one near us that always causes problems, so I'm extra careful going round it on my bike, never mind my car. I hadn't considered though that it's because it's a mini roundabout - the problem is when I want to turn right into a minor road, and someone from opposite pulls straight out into me, obviously thinking they are on the main route. It doesn't help that there are lots of parked cars, which somehow reduces the roundabout-ness of it.

claretandcheese · 06/05/2011 23:50

There is a double mini roundabout near me, and almost no-one indicates correctly. It's horrible.

megapixels · 06/05/2011 23:52

People don't seem to treat a mini-roundabout like a roundabout at all but like a junction!

I'm surprised your instructor said that indicating is optional! I thought you must always indicate, unless there's no one else around for it to be useful.

megapixels · 06/05/2011 23:53

Last part of my post is to working.

Original poster
Salmotrutta · 06/05/2011 23:55

Surely indicating isn't optional?? Confused

It wasn't when I sat my test! - although that was 30 years ago

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Gentleness · 06/05/2011 23:56

Some people are just too lazy to indicate, whether it be changing lanes on a motorway or on a roundabout or pulling out from a roadside parking space. I wish I had a loudhailer system on my car roof so I could rant at them for endangering my life and that of my son. I can not believe driving instructors are saying indicating is optional. WHAT! It isn't just about good manners - it gives vital life-prolonging information!

Sorry. Guess it is clear where I stand on idiot drivers.

lilolilmanchester · 06/05/2011 23:57

no bloody wonder people don't know how to use mini-roundabouts if instructors are telling learners that they don't need to signal. That's outrageous.

GotArt · 07/05/2011 00:02

The city is starting to re-introduce round-abouts here on Vancouver Island and no one understands how to use them. The best one here is in the city center of Langford where there is a pedestrian cross walk on either side of the main road, which they are suppose to hit a cross button to light lights to indicate someone is crossing because of the massive water fountain in the middle of the round about and all the blinking lights are so distractive, but no one ever does.

Original poster
Salmotrutta · 07/05/2011 00:03

Oh I so want a loudhailer - to shout things like "You are a knob/plonker/bimbo and you should walk to save the rest of us from certain death.

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piprabbit · 07/05/2011 00:07

My favourite drivers are the ones who accelerate towards mini-roundabouts instead of giving way to the right. Prize plonkers Angry.

I see a lot of it (as someone who has to negotiate 5 mini and 1 major roundabout just to get to the hight street).

Original poster
Salmotrutta · 07/05/2011 00:19

Maybe they think they are in France piprabbit? - where you give way to cars coming onto the roundabout!!
Can't get my head round that which is why I never drive abroad. I just know I'd get it wrong. Poor DH (who is a superb and very experienced driver ) always has to drive when we go abroad!!
Never mind - I get to sample the local drinks!

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