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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Idiot drivers

47 replies

Lunar270 · 26/09/2022 09:35

Another driving one!

Basically I was approaching a roundabout on the inside lane, at 6 o'clock. I'm looking to go straight ahead and exit at 12 o'clock. There are 2 lanes in/out so I observe lane discipline. It's all clear so I carry on in the inside lane.

Literally from nowhere a spotty oik comes racing from the outside lane and takes out my front end. He wanted to take the 1st exit (9 o'clock) so clearly in the wrong.

However, the little cretin gets out and it's all my fault, saying I should've indicated to go straight ahead as he'd have known what I was doing. I stay calm, taking photos (no dash cam sadly) but he's in my face ranting on.

AIBU to think if you're clearly in the wrong you should just zip it? It doesn't matter how much you try and intimidate, it's not going to make you suddenly right. Either that or the highway code has never sunk in and he doesn't have a clue what the rules are.

After 10 minutes of getting the hairdryer treatment the police happen to pass by (thankfully).

Cue more ranting and then, "well you really need to be in the inside lane if you want to take the first exit" from the officer.

Now I'm dreading what BS he's going to tell his insurers to try and get out of this. I can tell this isn't going to be an easy one to sort.

OP posts:
MrsK89 · 26/09/2022 09:39

If police were there surely there wouldn't be any further issues on your side. Did they write a report?

Original poster
Lunar270 · 26/09/2022 09:43

MrsK89 · 26/09/2022 09:39

If police were there surely there wouldn't be any further issues on your side. Did they write a report?

No, sadly not. They weren't witnesses as they happened to pass by after the event. I asked for a reference number but they said they weren't taking details and were just there to calm the situation.

I'm amazed to be honest as he basically told them what he'd done but they weren't interested. I feel they just don't want the paperwork.

OP posts:
PuttingDownRoots · 26/09/2022 09:48

So he tried to exit a roundabout from the inner lane by crossing through a line of traffic in the outer lane, onto a road with just one lane?

Unless there are markings saying that is possible he is an idiot.

Elieza · 26/09/2022 09:51

Can you find out who they were as you will might want them as witnesses as to what was said by the oik driver. Do you know what station they came from?

Original poster
Lunar270 · 26/09/2022 09:52

As everyone likes a diagram!

OP posts:
JamesBondOO7 · 26/09/2022 09:53

I've not got a dash cam and thought about it many times but for all decent drivers they need a dash cam for a peace of mind

PuttingDownRoots · 26/09/2022 09:54

Are there any road signs or lane markings that would show he's completely in the wrong?

(Also... no indicators means straight on, doesn't it?)

Original poster
Lunar270 · 26/09/2022 09:54

Elieza · 26/09/2022 09:51

Can you find out who they were as you will might want them as witnesses as to what was said by the oik driver. Do you know what station they came from?

I think I might have to track them down if this gets complicated, although I'm not sure if his admission can be taken as a statement.

I'm hoping my insurer will call me today as they were closed when I rang last night and just got a 24 hour assistant who just took the basic details.

OP posts:
Damnautocorrect · 26/09/2022 09:57

Oh god. Good luck with this one. Without witnesses roundabouts tend to go 50:50 even in should be clear cut cases.
is there any cctv anywhere?
ignore the police response they were just stopping it escalating and didn’t want the paperwork.

how do you indicate straight on?! You shouldn’t indicate right, your not going right. Your not going left so you don’t indicate left. He’s just a cock, disengage and let your insurance company dea with it.

JamesBondOO7 · 26/09/2022 09:58

Looking at the diagram IMHO you were both wrong.
You should have been on the outside lane and IMO it is a bit wronger than you as no one with more than one brain cell takes the first left from the outside lane unless raod markings allow this and looking at the diagram on a dual road they never dow in a layout like that.

You are both wrong and you 30% and him70% but both are wrong.
The other driver I've seen behaviour like that often not insured/licences could not careless and ready to fight/shout 24/7 unless they cross someone bigger than them

Put it down to experience and IMO the insurance please will do a 50/50 blame

WhenDovesFly · 26/09/2022 10:00

Similar almost happened to me on Friday. I was at a roundabout, indicating to go left. Just as it became clear and I started moving, a twat came up fast in the outside lane and turned right in front of me and went left. He hadn't been queueing, just suddenly appeared and turned. Fortunately I was quick on my brakes and avoided a collision. Older guy too, who should have known better. I shouted out (inside my car) "oh sir, you shouldn't have done that", or words to that effect. Most certainly not that polite lol Grin

goblinkinggoblinking · 26/09/2022 10:02

JamesBondOO7 · 26/09/2022 09:58

Looking at the diagram IMHO you were both wrong.
You should have been on the outside lane and IMO it is a bit wronger than you as no one with more than one brain cell takes the first left from the outside lane unless raod markings allow this and looking at the diagram on a dual road they never dow in a layout like that.

You are both wrong and you 30% and him70% but both are wrong.
The other driver I've seen behaviour like that often not insured/licences could not careless and ready to fight/shout 24/7 unless they cross someone bigger than them

Put it down to experience and IMO the insurance please will do a 50/50 blame

No, you absolutely can stay in the inside lane to go straight over

KangarooKenny · 26/09/2022 10:02

He was wrong , you were right, unless markings on the road show left lane is left turn only.

JamesBondOO7 · 26/09/2022 10:03

Apologies - Thinking about it - it is not an ideal poition for your car but as you said raod was clear hardly any traffic and this idiot shots up

HE IS WRONG 100% and you can never turn from that position first left on a layout you have give.

Leavve it to your insurance and send them a concise report, EG you approached, you were going straight and the idiot did as it did as per your diagram.

Good luck

Btw, I'm no expert but a long standing river no points and I indicate etc etc when others dont

WhenDovesFly · 26/09/2022 10:04

JamesBondOO7 · 26/09/2022 09:58

Looking at the diagram IMHO you were both wrong.
You should have been on the outside lane and IMO it is a bit wronger than you as no one with more than one brain cell takes the first left from the outside lane unless raod markings allow this and looking at the diagram on a dual road they never dow in a layout like that.

You are both wrong and you 30% and him70% but both are wrong.
The other driver I've seen behaviour like that often not insured/licences could not careless and ready to fight/shout 24/7 unless they cross someone bigger than them

Put it down to experience and IMO the insurance please will do a 50/50 blame

OP was not wrong. You can proceed straight across at a roundabout from either inside or outside lane. I always use inside lane.

Idiot drivers
JamesBondOO7 · 26/09/2022 10:04

goblinkinggoblinking · 26/09/2022 10:02

No, you absolutely can stay in the inside lane to go straight over

Show quote history

@goblinkinggoblinking

Even before reading your post I corrected myself - thanks, it is early and I am multitaksing

Original poster
Lunar270 · 26/09/2022 10:04

've just looked on Google maps and the markings clearly show inside lane straight on and left. Right lane straight on and right.

OP posts:
JamesBondOO7 · 26/09/2022 10:05

WhenDovesFly · 26/09/2022 10:04

OP was not wrong. You can proceed straight across at a roundabout from either inside or outside lane. I always use inside lane.

Show quote history

Truse, but please see my post before you posted @WhenDovesFly

Crotonifolia · 26/09/2022 10:05

I was always taught that, unless the road indicates otherwise, if going straight ahead and at "12 o clock or less" you go in the inside lane. Indicating just after the cut off before yours.

The guy is a plum. I bet he does this all the time to people, and this time he finally hit someone.

piegone · 26/09/2022 10:06

@PuttingDownRoots

So he tried to exit a roundabout from the inner lane by crossing through a line of traffic in the outer lane, onto a road with just one lane?

No. OP was in the inside lane. Idiot driver was in the outside lane. OP has even attached a diagram.

Damnautocorrect · 26/09/2022 10:06

goblinkinggoblinking · 26/09/2022 10:02

No, you absolutely can stay in the inside lane to go straight over

Show quote history

Absolutely what @goblinkinggoblinking says, unless marked you can use either lane to go onto the second exit. The Lane the op chose is best practice in most cases, as she wouldn’t have to cross lanes to exit.

Unless straight on is a third exit (including small drive away exits) and then you should use the right lane.

Original poster
Lunar270 · 26/09/2022 10:07

Thanks all. I've not had any accidents for some time but I do know that your insurance will go up, even in no fault situations because you're statistically more likely to be involved in more accidents!

So frustrating, especially when my insurance is quite cheap with SAGA nowadays 😂

OP posts:
Crotonifolia · 26/09/2022 10:08

Crotonifolia · 26/09/2022 10:05

I was always taught that, unless the road indicates otherwise, if going straight ahead and at "12 o clock or less" you go in the inside lane. Indicating just after the cut off before yours.

The guy is a plum. I bet he does this all the time to people, and this time he finally hit someone.

Sorry, I'm being v unlear. If exiting into two lanes of course you can use either inside/outside unless road says otherwise.

Lou98 · 26/09/2022 10:08

You're not wrong at all OP! He should not have been in the RHL to go left. If he realised he was in the wrong lane he should have went right round, not attempted to cut in front of another driver.

However, you need to hope he tells his insurance company what actually happened as with no witnesses or dash cam footage, if he lies about what happened it could end up being settled 50/50.
I used to work in motor claims and more roundabout accidents than not were settled split liability

SavoirFlair · 26/09/2022 10:13

You should have been on the outside lanE

Yeah… this is why we have so many problems with driving in the UK.

folk thinking they can just make up whatever rules suit them

meanwhile the Highway Code.. etc

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