To think that people don’t use this mini roundabout correctly? (Diagram and picture)

[AndiOliversGlasses]

This is on a regular route I drive and I am always approaching it from the angle seen in the photo, to turn right. My approach road is short so no time to build up any speed. As you can see, it is really a T junction of a smaller road in to a bigger one, but it has been configured with a mini roundabout.

Nine times out of 10 traffic coming from the right or the left doesn’t slow down, so even if a car coming from my right is not on the roundabout yet it will beep at me if I pull out and cause it to slow down. I know that the rule is give way to traffic coming from the right, but doesn’t that only apply to traffic already on the roundabout?

I can see that the problem with a mini one is that there is much less time that the car is actually “on” it, but surely everyone should be slowing down as they approach a roundabout?

At this one, usually the only way to get out is by waiting for a pedestrian to cross at the zebra and stop the traffic from the right that way.

AIBU to think that a mini roundabout is still a roundabout and the normal rules should apply? Or am I misunderstanding the rules?

Yep, you’d think, right?

Rules do not supersede good judgment and assessment.

It sounds like you've decided to experiment with even worse driving now OP. It's not them, it's you!

But can you ever truly see that a roundabout like this is completely clear? Don’t you have to take care in case the car you can see on your left waiting to join the roundabout is a bad driver like me who decides to pull out? That’s after you’ve slowed for the crossing of course.

That’s literally what I have been told by multiple posters it is my right to do. Why is it now suddenly bad driving?

Cuts both ways though.

If the bad driver on the left chooses to pull out and causes an accident, that's their fault. Not the fault of the driver who has priority!

Yeah but the accident still happened didn’t it?

I'm not sure what your point is.

Yes, the accident would happen but not because they'd done anything wrong - but because the person on the left had driven like an idiot.

No accidents in 34 years, but I bet you've seen plenty in the rear view....

Isn’t there a principle that you should treat everyone else on the road as if they were an idiot? Don’t assume someone indicating will actually turn, don’t assume people will stop at traffic lights, don’t assume people won’t pull out in front of you?

My point is that the person not at fault can still act to avoid an accident, even if they don’t feel they should have to. Attributing blame is just about allocating the costs afterwards.

It is right to do if it is safe with good visibility and you are a competent driver.

I think you’ll get 2 out of 3 at best.

And don't assume the person approaching the roundabout will slow down as much you would like them too. Otherwise they'll beep you when you pull out in front of them.

OK, let’s break this down. You’ve told me what the rule is for approaching a roundabout.

1. always give way to everything on your right including any car approaching the roundabout but not on it yet.
2. Never yield to anyone on your left, they should wait till you pass.
3. Do not slow down on approach to the roundabout if you can see clearly that there is nothing coming from the right, and no other hazards to avoid.

What else are you saying a driver has to do to be “competent”?

We have one like this!!

Yeah but to be honest I’m not that bothered by snarky little beeps. Collisions, sure, prefer to avoid those, but have done so far.

"Aibu?"

"Yes"

"No I'm not!!"

Sigh

Well yes, of course they can - and clearly they do as you seem to get beeped at on a regular basis!

But that doesn't change the fact that it would be you held responsible by insurance, and by the police if someone was injured (or worse). You don't seem to care about that though 🤷‍♀️

No, I’ve literally said I intend to drive as others have told me from now on. But I also think that it’s typical of MN to jump from advice to personal abuse and so forgive me if I don’t just lie down and take a beating.

I think you're just on the wind up tbh op.

But cars are using their horn when you go, which means they are having to hit their brakes because of you. So you don’t have the time to go without impeding them. You are wrong.

Horn and brakes are connected? Well I never.

I think in OPs language a 'sensible speed'= everyone else slowing down to let ME out. And 'allowing traffic to flow' means 'allowing ME to keep moving no matter what's happening around me'.

Or maybe I missed the bit in the driving test emergency stop where they taught you to beep first?