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?

I'd use right, the arrow on the left lane indicates left only and the right has a straight arrow, I thought it was fairl6self explanatory?

seriously?

If you use the left lane there is no way that you can have an accident as no one can be on your inside left as you turn. Although another driver could cut in front of you, assuming you're going to have turned left. But the main thing in such a situation is to respond to what other road users are doing in the existing traffic conditions. I wouldn't have thought it mattered if you are aware of the road and other users. In other words, driving properly.

So on a roundabout one of you uses the right hand lane to turn left?

Sounds like an accident waiting to happen. Left lane turns left, surely.

On the basis that it is easier to negotiate 2 cars turning left from the same lane, than two cars turning left from the left lane & one car turning left form the right lane!

In reality, the highway dept need to make the marking clearer, I would have thought.

If you get a reply from the highway department, please let us know!

I'd use the left lane and not signal till past the first exit. Then I'd send a snotty letter to the council asking for the signage to be clarified.

CrohnicallyExhausted, did you get an answer from the Highways department? I need to know as I've become obsessive about road markings on roundabouts :-)

OP here. I've resent the complaint and this time got an auto reply thingy, so I'm guessing something went wrong the first time. I'll let you know if/when I hear anything.

OP here, quick update time.

I never did hear back from the council. However, I recently noticed that the "superstore" has been removed from the left hand lane, so now it just has a left turn arrow. The right hand lane has a straight arrow and the road number of the main road still.

I deduce from this that you are supposed to use the left hand lane for exit 2, and I was right.

Not that it matters much as I've moved house and don't go that way any more!

Left lane. There are a number of roundabouts like that around heee and local drivers are very insistent about it and close up and don't let cars in from middle lane (so middle lane users would be forced to go right!)

Some roundabouts have been adapted with signs abd road markings clearly indicating the middle lane is for straight on, and this is much better.

No one who has said use the right lane because the left only mentions the store have failed to consider the fact that the right lane only mentions the 3rd exit.
The Highway Code says that you should use the left lane. May be an idea though to ask your local traffic police.

Many drivers still don't realise that lane markings don't absolve you from the responsibility to avoid driving into the car in front.

I didn't see this at the time but I would say as it says Left and Store then it is for the Store and...the left turn. So I'd use the left lane. The right lane is of people going to the right. So stay out of that one.