Who's being U here? Driving question.

[WelshMoth]

Everyday I navigate a small roundabout to get onto DC's school road. It has 4 roads running onto it and is just big enough to be a 2 lane roundabout.

For the 3rd time since school restarted just last week, I've had a fist shaken at me (hairy arsed lorry driver), head shaken and shouting at me (hairy arsed van driver) and today a middle finger accompanied by yelling (stroppy blonde woman in shiny car). Sorry for the labels - helps me remember.

Anyhow, I always use the left lane to go straight on, aka the 2nd exit off the roundabout. Those going to the right, or doubling back onto the road they came from, take the right lane.

I'm assuming these 'pissed off drivers' think I'm turning left into the road they are waiting to pull out of, so make to pull out and then have to jam on as I'm actually going straight on.

Am I following the Highway code here? As far as I'm concerned, I think I am. I'm getting cheesed off for getting yelled at. I can hardly indicate to go straight on can I, so why the grief?

I await the MN jury.

topknob - if there were 10 exits off the roundabout and 2 lanes (a bit extreme, maybe) would you still say that the left lane was only for the first exit?

The Highway code doesn't say either way!

I was taught the same way as topknob.

You should enter the roundabout in the left hand lane (without your indicator on), as you are level with the first exit you should then start to indicate to show you are coming off at the next exit. Taught by an advanced driving instructor.

Twats that go in the right hand lane and cut you up at the exit really piss me off....

Surburbandream's link shows you the Highway Code does think you should normally be on the left if going straight on (see pic). I was taught that you stay on the left lane up for exits up to 12 o'clock, right for others unless indicated otherwise.

You are following the highway code, but you seem to be aware that there is a different convention in use here. While you are technically entitled to be in the left hand lane to go straight on and you would not be the 1st car on the accident report if the hairy arsed van driver ran into you, it wouldn't stop it being an accident you could have potentially avoided. Just make sure you are driving in such a way that those impatient and incorrect drivers won't hit you even if they incorrectly anticipate you turning off early.

And despite the temptation, don't escalate things with retaliatory gestures. You're in a metal contraption that is one of the leading causes of death and injury. Rise above it. Stay calm on the road.

I would love someone to design a neon sign that lights up int the back of the car at the touch of the appropriate button..

Probably a little bit illegal though.

Should I admit to having a patented horn parp for occasions when someone has done something really moronic AND dangerous?

I would say you are in the right as long as the 'straight over' exit is less than 12 o'clock, over 12 o'clock and it is the right hand lane as you are technically turning right.

Suchprospects...know you are right! You are the better person :-)

Unfortunately, I find that some local people will treat some roundabouts differently to the laid down rules

One such roundabout is on the approach to County Hall in Durham where people use the straight on lane (into County Hall) to go right round the roundabout even though road markings indicate that you should be in the right hand lane (which is what I do). I've had people nearly pull out in front of me, drive into me and cut me up when they're in the wrong, but, because other people are doing it, they follow as well

It really is unforgivable to be in the wrong lane if there is a fucking sign to indicate where you should be.

Sardine Queen - the Highway code as quoted on this thread doesn't say differently - it says 'use the most appropriate lane'

Unfortunately, there seems to be some kind of morphic field inside a car that can turn normal, rational people into aggressive knobheads. Best thing to do is don't make eye contact and completely ignore them - what you're doing is fine.

In this circumstances as Op describes

Left hand lane , then as you pass the 1st exit you indicate left to come off at the 2nd exit.

Regardless of whether people indicate or not you should never rely on peoples indications that they are turning off so that you can pull out.

Rustybear if it was compulsory to use the right-hand lane when going straight over, the highway code would clearly state that.

I am a bit surprised and concerned that people really believe the left hand lane is for first exit only TBH.

You learn something every day

op you're completely right.
The amount of people who don't know how to use roundabouts is scary and frustrating. The amount that aren't bothered but think that their own way makes more sense is just dangerous.

Either lane is fine for going straight on. I should know, I live in Milton Keynes!

OP when you go straight on, do you leave sufficient space on your right for your neighbouring car to also go straight on? Maybe you are "cutting the corner" and squeezing out the other drivers?

Could I do an age check here?? I am 34 and been driving 16 yrs..I have been made aware of a lots of changes since then and when sdd passed her test. (now 22). She was taught to slow down using her brakes and NOT her gears..I had never heard anything so stupid ! You use the gears to slow down rather than braking when you don't need to. I am wondering if this is another change that is all..as I am not the only one taught this way.

Brakes are for braking. I was taught (4 years ago) to slow down on approach (with brakes) then go into 2nd gear so you are ready to pull out if its safe to do so, if its not go into stop and go into 1st.

Left hand lane for exits before 12 o clock right lane for after 12.

I am 45 and driving since 18 - did police driving course in 1990 where we were taught to slow down using brakes .

Its actually scary how many people on here dont know how to use a roundabout in accordance to the highway code but think they do.

Always wondered about that as I notice a lack of brake lights quite often and wonder how many people do the gear slowing method!

I'm impressed by it for some reason!

OP - what you're doing sounds right to me. Regardless of whether you have all indicators flashing or a polar bear on top of your car or are powered by peddle power nobody should ever pull out at a roundabout without being as sure as they can be what the oncoming car's intentions are. You aren't indicating left therefore you are NOT leaving the roundabout. They're wrong - and rude.

Topknob - I passed in July and my driver (who teaches efficient driving as per whatever standard) taught me to use the gears and anticipation wherever possible to manage the speed of the car. So coming off the gas at the necessary point not speeding along and then slamming on the brakes. I have driven miles and miles and miles without braking once. I drove 90 miles to my parent's on Christmas Day on quietish motorway without braking once till making the exit. Dh cannot believe how much less fuel I use than him

(Obviously I use the brakes when needed!)