to ask you who has right of way?

[allswellthatends]

Please settle a family argument, especially since our eldest has finally nabbed a driving test date and this could come up.

Near our house is a mini roundabout we pass almost every day. If car A and car C arrive at the roundabout at the same time, and car A is signalling a right turn, who has right of way? Who has to yield?

I have drawn a diagram under MN rules, but cannot see how to link it??

Yes, of course I have my own view (which doesn’t correspond to my husband’s view). I would like to hear what others think, so I am putting this out here and will come back to it in 24 hours to tell you what I think and why. It’s clear that not everyone agrees with me because this location gets a lot of near-collisions and angry hooting!

Can't see a diagram.

Nor me

Here you are!

How is that a debate though? You give way to the right at a roundabout.

Car A has right of way as they are coming from the right, car A doesn't need to give way to car c as they are not passing their entrance point so nothing to give way to.

You give way to traffic from the right so it's a non argument

If car C can’t get across the roundabout before car A cuts over to road D, then car C to give way.

On a larger roundabout, they’d both just continue. On a mini roundabout, this probably means car C yields. That would be the only way to definitely avoid collision, so would be the right thing to do. We have a few of these near us, but without the road B which sort of makes it more obvious that car C yields.

Car A has right of way

Your voting is enabled by the way but is not at all clear how that would work.

Car A is the clear 🏆. Give way to the right, basic road rules.

Car A definitely has right of way. On a larger roundabout Car C would probably have time to quickly turn left, but not on a mini roundabout.

This is clearly explained in the Highway Code.

If neither car has moved onto the roundabout, and the cars are (as in the diagram) directly opposite each other, then “you give way to the right” doesn’t help, as they are both to the right of each other. If one is already edging onto the roundabout then the non-edging car should give way as then there is someone “to their right” but before that happens I would just try to be courteous.

But isn’t the reason it’s a debate that also car C is on the right of car A so car A should give way to car C?

Theoretically both cars should be able to go as car C would be exiting at A by the time car A reaches C but it depends on the size of the roundabout and the speeds being travelled.

you give way to the right at a roundabout, but you don't wait for traffic to give way to them. It would depend on the size of the roundabout.

If you both arrive at the same time, then both could possibly move off at the same time as a round about has a purpose to keep traffic flowing and not waiting

I see this frequently on a mini roundabout near my parents house... one usually just waves at the other to proceed!

Think this through - if both cars enter the mini roundabout at the same time and at a crawl speed you will find that car C will get in the way of car A so it should be giving way to car A no matter what the speed actually is.

No. Car A has no car coming from the right to give way to so they are clear to set off, that is because car C is turning off before it gets to car A

No, because car C doesn't need to be given way to. Its straight-on route is clear.

If car A is already on the roundabout then A has right of way, as coming from C's right.

If both arrive at same time, and both signal right, then they theoretically both give way to each other.

No that's not how it works. Car A would look to their right (and check indicators of other cars) and see nothing coming so can go. C is not to their right nor approaching from their right side. If C looks right (and checks indicators) A will be approaching from their right. At no point will C be approaching A from As right hand side.
A has right of way.

neither has right of way - the concept doesn't exist in UK traffic law - the only mention of it in the Highway Code is to state that it doesn't exist :)

Instead we have a concept of priority - which is similar to the idea of 'first dibs' so when you get to a place where you have priority you get first dibs - but if you are not quite there yet, or a bit slow there is no issue with another car using it...

when you have two cars opposite each other on a mini roundabout - you give way to the right - so a car already on the roundabout to the right of you has priority - but if neither of you are already on the roundabout then technically neither of you has priority - the first onto the roundabout acquires priority...

also - the Highway Code is very clear - on a roundabout esp. you have to allow for other drivers doing the unexpected - so the best approach is definitely to be cautious and if in doubt pause and let someone else past...

if you are in the situation above - you need to be looking for the clues as to what the other driver is about to do - do they seem to be an aggressive driver / are they a learner / elderly / do they drive a battered or new car / slow or fast - these things will all give you a clue as to whether you go or let them go - if in doubt, either be confident and go - they will be questioning and give way - or polite and let them know they can go...

Car C might be able to go before Car A crosses it's path. If there's time for that, then they can both just go.
If the roundabout isn't big enough for that, then obviously Car C gives way to Car A, because you give way to the right.

I wonder if the confusion is because at a normal cross junction, the car going straight has right of way and the car turning right has to wait?

Car A

I would stop at the roundabout and give the other vehicle the chance to move. If it doesn't, I would carefully start the manoeuvre watching the other vehicle so that I could take avoiding action to prevent a collision.