to have thought he was an entitled wanker and ask what you do? (driving)

[LRDtheFeministDragon]

I was on a roundabout when a police car, siren and lights going, came along. The roundabout is wide enough for two cars side by side, but the exits are single-lane traffic with an arrow to tell you to move over from the right lane almost immediately. So, I pulled to the left side of the roundabout against the kerb and braked so the police car could get past without me being in the way. The bloke behind me honked and shook his head at me - I assume for braking or stopping on the roundabout?

It seemed like the practical thing to do but clearly he'd have kept going and expected the police car to move around him. I think he was a wanker, but what do you do in this situation? Would you always stop and pull in to the side or would you sometimes just keep going and try to get out of the way of a junction?

Stopping to get out the way of an emergency vehicle is the correct thing to do. Don't worry about it for a second longer.

emma - hmm, I think it's entitled to think your journey is more important than that of an emergency vehicle. You don't?

If someone in front of me was driving really badly to get out of the way of an emergency vehicle, I wouldn't honk and shake my head at them after the fact. That's entitled twitishness.

You should not stop on a roundabout.

I would have come off roundabout and then pulled over-

hey - at least it's all hypothetical and not you having to write down the detaiks to the insurance company :-)

But that bad driving could easily mean the emergency services have another accident to clear up after.

Stopping infront of another vehicle suddenly is dangerous.

Yes, sirzy, I do understand that and, as I say, another time I'll take the tip to carry on to another exit (though that might be more dangerous as it'd mean carrying on when I'd already signalled to move left).

I didn't stop suddenly - it wasn't an emergency stop. I'm not sure there was an easy right answer, but I am glad to know what other people think and especially what vicar said about what it's actually like when you're trying to get through in an emergency vehicle.

LRD- honestly stop worrying - you did the right thing,

if no one stops on a roundabout, how do people think we get through? i expect all those to the right of me to stop so i can go, and those in front to do so when its safe for them. If i gave way to those on the right at roundabouts i would never ever get across - i approach with caution but i do like people to stop if its safe.

my lights and sirens are simply a warning to other road users that i am there, and that i want to get through - if i am stuck in traffic i turn the siren off so as not to panic people - but stopping, when you can is the right thing to do.

you did the right thing. dont worry about it any more. if have seen some terrible driving and the worst is when people just carry on regardless.....i was stuck behind someone for ages the other week because they wouldnt pull over....thats more likely to cause an accident because thats when the driver of the emergency vehicle starts to feel under pressure to get past somehow....my trainers told me on no account to try and get past someone who has not seen me, so i dont, but it can delay progress and get frustrating.

im sure that if you stopped and it was safe to stop then you did the right thing.
now have a glass of and forget it!

im off now for 2 whole weeks! yay! dont ask how i managed that with the olympics!

Thanks. Sorry for yakking on.

You do a wonderful job, hope you enjoy your time off!

not yakking on at all, just wanted to put your mind at rest, i came across as a bit bossy there didnt i?

It's never bossy to tell someone to have some !

No, I'm really glad to have your perspective.

All v useful, Vicar!

OP - As a S London driver I have had to train myself to ignore idiots who hoot just because they feel frustrated. It's so easy to assume you have done something wrong just because someone beeps.

This morning, turning L at a junction through lights, with a pedestrian crossing in front of me and then a yellow box, I had someone beeping and beeping because he wanted me to move forward across the pedestrian crossing, therfore blocking it, and risking being stuck there blocking it through the next lights change. He beeped and beeped, and eventually I leaned out of my window and screamed obscenities like a fishwife explained politely that I would not block the pedestrian crossing. 2 pedestrians turned round and gave me a cheer!