Or is DP regarding driving and which lane to use?

[CrohnicallyExhausted]

Bit of background-
The road used to go straight on, with a left turn junction. A supermarket was built and they turned the junction into a roundabout, adding another left turn for the store entrance. So there is now a roundabout with 3 exits: exit 1 is store, exit 2 is old left turn, exit 3 is old straight on. We need to turn down exit 2 for home.

The problem is the lane markings. On the approach to the roundabout there is 2 lanes. Left lane is marked with a left arrow and 'store'. The right hand lane is marked with a straight arrow and the road number of exit 3. Neither lane directs you to exit 2 at all- so it's a bit of a free for all with people going down exit 2 from either lane, and some near misses resulting.

One of us uses the left lane for exit 2, saying that as it is unclear you should default to the left lane. In the event of an accident, it would be the right lane driver's fault for not checking their mirrors and indicating before pulling off.

One of us uses the right lane for exit 2, saying that left lane is clearly marked only for the store exit, and in the event of an accident it would be the left lane driver's fault for taking the 2nd exit in a left turn only lane.

Which is more correct?

Oh, I get what you mean about the straight ahead thing now.

I've just happened to speak to my bro who works in technical motor claims. He rang mr, not me seeking him out to win on the Internet!

Left arrow with store is store exit only. If it were a left arrow with a "&" store, then left hand lane for 2nd exit. However, he did say that it is poor marking as right hand lane to take 2nd exit is not straightforward. Speak to the highways department :-D

So if it's left lane for store only, why couldn't they put the word ONLY on it and dotted lines ushering you into the store entrance? And the right lane wouldn't need a road number at all, just a straight on arrow, then it would be obvious that it was for all other exits. I should be a road planner, me!

Because it's a waste of paint! You (and everyone else) should know what a left arrow means;-).

If you get them to add an &, will you name it the Crotch Turn? Please?

I counted up (yes, I'm that sad) and I think it's about 60/40 in favour of left. So I think I will carry on as I have been, using the left lane but being ready to be cut up at any point.

That feels easier to me than using the right lane and being prepared to cut somebody up- the driver to the right tends to approach the exit first as being on the inner circle means there's less distance to travel, so there's a possibility of someone who was level with you on the approach being in your blind spot as you pull off the roundabout (and you assuming that they pulled off when they haven't).

If you're in the left lane it's easy for you to adjust your speed and let the driver on the right in front of you if need be.

Someone went into me on a roundabout years ago. Their insurance company said that I was in the wrong lane (I was in the left lane for second exit out of three). My insurance company said that it was unclear which lane I should have been in but if it went to court I might lose so it was 50/50. I was furious but there was nothing I could do about it.

Can I add something else?

If you approach from A... there are 2 lanes. Left lane had left and straight on arrow, right lane had straight arrow only. No words. So the highways department here seem unable to paint a right arrow. Perhaps they think if they use a right arrow people will turn right and go the wrong way round the roundabout?

the crotch turn sounds a bit like a new position

Whatever my brother had a 50/50 after someone cut him up. The other driver denied changing lanes and said DB didn't leave stopping distance. The skids corroborated DB's version- so the other driver changed his story, yet it still went 50/50. I think it's the insurance company's version of 'I'll bang both your heads together if you don't stop arguing!' (Did anyone else's parent used to say that or just mine?)

I would use the right lane. The left is for the store only, then if there's a queue for the store, traffic not going to it can continue without being held up.

I'd go in the right lane and go right round the roundabout. Then as I got back to my starting point start sliding across to the left. I'd have both lanes empty as everyone coming out my original road would have had to have given way to me. Genius.

Left lane. Definitely.

CrohnicallyExhausted - In my case the other driver actually said that he was at fault to me and my insurance company. The insurance companies decided it was debatable though and went for 50/50.

I would use left lane & watch the right hand driver.
But I'm not surprised that would be a fail on a driving test.
What a nightmare!

I do what Viva said. I do it most days to jump a queue of traffic. One day I will rule the world.

Right lane definitely. Left hand arrow means first left only. I'd be annoyed if someone in the left lane cut me up going into 2nd exit at the same time as me.

Especially if I had queued to do the right (correct) thing in the right hand lane.

I do this loads too. 20plus cars queuing in the left lane and I go in the right lane and sail right round the roundabout.

"Left arrow with store is store exit only. If it were a left arrow with a "&" store, then left hand lane for 2nd exit."

That cannot possibly be correct. Because the right lane has a straight on arrow and the 3rd exit name, also without an "&".

I have a feeling I know this road. If I don't, then there's an equally stupid new road layout because of a new supermarket right near MILs house.

For the record, we do left when we go to theirs. I don't drive, but DP passed first time with flying colours so I trust him

I'd move. Sounds like it would be easier.

Stiff & Viva, I do that too when there is a big queue in the left lane of a roundabout - lots of filthy looks come my way

Left

inabeautifulplace, "straight on" means a continuation of the A Road in this instance, rather than 12 o'clock to the 6 o'clock entry road, so it does make sense. What's missing is direction for the 2nd exit.

I'm quite shocked by all those saying left so confidently.

That sounds exciting!

I think I'd use the RH lane if the LH lane is marked "store only" because people in that lane should be turning off to the store on the 1st exit, not continuing around the roundabout, and so people would expect them to leave the roundabout at the first exit. Then indicate left once on the roundabout and get off at the next exit (the one you need), watching out for any people who are continuing on around the roundabout even though they should have turned left to the store.

But it sounds like a very poorly marked out roundabout and they should sort it out better!

What I would do is go left into the store, turn around then left into your street lol. No in reality I'd use the left. Theres a similar roundabou here though it doesnt have any road signs (faded away)

In fact some people still use the left lane for "straight on"(but which is at about 2oclock) as they were taught left for straight on. Ive had a few near misses, luckily I anticipate them now!