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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

to wonder what the point of lanes is if someone can crash into you anyway

221 replies

RebeccaWithTheGoodHair · 13/12/2016 11:29

Back in the spring I was in a car accident. It was at a roundabout on an A road dual carriageway.

I was in the right hand lane going over the roundabout to exit in the right hand lane straight ahead. A car was beside me in the left hand lane and should have been going either left or straight ahead into the left hand lane of the dual carriageway. They didn't. They turned right and crashed into the side of me.

My insurers agree that I was correct in a) my driving and b) that is was his fault. But apparently there is a legal precedent where a judge decided that the person in the same situation as me should have been aware of the other car and thus was equally to blame for the accident, this means my insurer will only go for 50/50 in my case.

This has really pissed me off as wtf is the actual point of lanes if a driver can just make a decision to turn right at any point. And I was aware of the fucker, just under the impression he would stick to the rules of the road and not crash into the side of me. Shouldn't he have been aware of me??!!

And to add insult to injury this happened back in May and the other driver still hasn't given his insurers any details of what happened so it hasn't been resolved either way. My insurers seem powerless to hurry it along and won't even tell me how long it could go on for.

AIBU to think it was entirely his fault AND that there must be some time limit on how long he has to make any statement to his own insurers so it can be finally resolved.

OP posts:
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dowhatnow · 14/12/2016 10:31

Then If you crossed their path then it is 50 50. If they actually moved into your lane then it is not your fault.

xarpax · 14/12/2016 10:33

how can you not cross their path if you are in the right hand lane leaving a roundabout??

HaveNoSocks · 14/12/2016 10:35

how can you not cross their path if you are in the right hand lane leaving a roundabout??

You're meant to just continue round the roundabout, obviously if you know there's someone in your way it's better to drive the wrong way than actually collide with them. (Obviously that driver shouldn't have been there in the first place so it's 99% their fault).

Original poster
RebeccaWithTheGoodHair · 14/12/2016 10:37

xarpax - from what I'm reading you go round and round and round until the roundabout is empty then tentatively crawl over looking over your shoulder the entire time to make sure no-one crashes into the side of you because if they do it will still be your fault.

OP posts:
xarpax · 14/12/2016 10:37

actually we are wrong!

According to dh you should stay in the left hand lane to go straight ahead!

"The left lane to go straight ahead. If you picture the roundabout as a clock face, any exit from 6 o'clock (where you're entering) to 12 o'clock, you use the left lane. Anything after 12 o'clock you use the right lane. Unless signposted otherwise, of course."

HaveNoSocks · 14/12/2016 10:41

RebeccaWithTheGoodHair I agree it's mainly the fault of the person not following the roundabout rules, but surely it's better to go round the roundabout an extra time than actually have a collision (even one that isn't your fault)? Also I agree *xarpax" that don't you use the left hand lane to go straight on at a roundabout.

xarpax · 14/12/2016 10:45

I've been doing it wrong for years Blush

on the approach (dual carriageway), the left hand lane is always a queue as there's a A road off to the left. I've been gaily driving in the right hand lane and coming off in the right hand lane straight ahead.

I SHOULD queue with the rest then drive safely in the left hand lane straight on.

I've answered my own question (or dh has Blush)

derxa · 14/12/2016 10:45

According to dh you should stay in the left hand lane to go straight ahead!
He's right.
The other driver was in the left hand lane wrongly but he chose that lane because at one point he had to exit and preferred to be in the left hand lane when he did so. It's ok when roads are quiet but not at a busy time.

wasonthelist · 14/12/2016 10:46

This is fine. There is no problem as long as people don't drive like bellends.

to wonder what the point of lanes is if someone can crash into you anyway
xarpax · 14/12/2016 10:47

but what if blue car carries on round the roundabout?

xarpax · 14/12/2016 10:48

ah i see by the markings the blue car would have crossed lanes so therefore accident would be his fault?

Jaynesworld · 14/12/2016 10:49

RebeccaWithTheGoodHair exactly, if this is what you have to do what is the point in having two lanes.

Jaynesworld · 14/12/2016 10:51

xarpax apparently not (although I disagree) the road markings are wrong, the signage is wrong and the op is wrong. The blue car is magical and can do no wrong

xarpax · 14/12/2016 10:53
Grin
Original poster
RebeccaWithTheGoodHair · 14/12/2016 10:54

Jaynesworld Grin

OP posts:
wasonthelist · 14/12/2016 11:03

but what if blue car carries on round the roundabout?
Then the driver of the blue car is a total bellend who should not be driving.

wasonthelist · 14/12/2016 11:03

(with the notable exception of where markings and signage make it clear it's OK)

HaveNoSocks · 14/12/2016 11:05

masonthelist That makes sense. I hate being in the overtaking lane (I hate driving fast) so I always use the LH lane. I think this is all about driving defensively and being ware of idiots. You should drive in a way that is prepared for idiots/dickheads being on the road so you can avoid more accidents caused by other people's idiocy.

wasonthelist · 14/12/2016 11:10

I hate being in the overtaking lane (I hate driving fast) so I always use the LH lane.

Fine, but don't project that to everyone else. Having two lanes helps traffic flow - also at a roundabout, it's not really "overtaking and driving fast"

HaveNoSocks · 14/12/2016 11:12

wasonthelist Oh absolutely I have no problem with someone coming off the roundabout in the overtaking lane if they're driving at the appropriate speed for the lane. You should check your left hand mirror though in case someone is coming round the roundabout in the outside lane.

SeriousSteve · 14/12/2016 11:38

I'm perturbed so many in this scenario think it's fine to enter in the LH lane and stay there forever more. DWDCA at best, DD at worst.

wasonthelist · 14/12/2016 11:42

I'm perturbed so many in this scenario think it's fine to enter in the LH lane and stay there forever more

Me too, also by people apparently thinking the blue and red cars should be indicating right upon entering. Where did people learn this bollocks?

Jaynesworld · 14/12/2016 11:43

SeriosSteve me too, this is probably why these types of crashes happen

HaveNoSocks · 14/12/2016 11:48

SeriousSteve I don't think anyone thinks it's OK to go all the way round a roundabout in the LH lane but it is fine to go straight on in the left hand lane and if someone is doing the wrong thing (e.g. going all the way round in LH lane) you should try and avoid a collision.

It's a bit like if you're turning left out of a side road and someone is indicating left into the side road you should wait until they commit to turning before moving out in front of them in case they're indicating incorrectly.

HaveNoSocks · 14/12/2016 11:49

Also since someone can go straight on in the LH lane if you're coming off in the RH lane you should as a matter of course check no one from the LH lane is in your way.