driving question - roundabouts and lane markings

[time4tea]

Hello, I have passed my driving test and know the rules of the road, but I have a real practical problem on big roundabouts with keeping to the proper lane.

I start in the right lane marked for the road I want to take, then the road markings disappear and I inadvertently find myself obviously in the wrong place, as I get honked very aggressively - even though I've taken what I thought was a steady course in the correct lane.

I have done the pass plus course and asked my driving instructor about this - but he just said - well, keep to the lane. which I thought I was doing today and still got honked like mad, and then saw that the road I was intending to take was in the lane to the left, I had drifted between the proper lane and the one to the right.

I'd be really grateful for hearing of your experiences and any tips...

Oh I totally agree about following line markings on large multi lane roundabouts, but simple 2/3 exit roundabouts with one or two lanes entering them really shouldn't cause confusion!

Hands up anyone who has attempted to go round a roundabout clockwise when driving overseas

That should of course have said anti-clockswise - double

You would like driving abroad- drivers entering the roundabout have priority, the ones in have to give way!!!!
No wonder traffic mayhem ensues, but you would love it..

Or you could keep turning left (1st exit so you are fine with that) and doing U turns- it would take longer but it would cause you less stress!!

I also think the left hand lane isn't always for left turn only, definitely not when there are two lanes as the left hand lane can also be for straight ahead.

Also if you start off in the right hand lane because you are turning right you definitely shouldn't stay in the right hand and cut across other lanes of traffic when you want to get off! Though to be fair on these kinds of major roundabouts there's usually traffic lights which stop traffic or clear marked lanes.

Fortyplus this is what you mean? I agree.

We have a roundabout near us, 2 lanes on the approach, 3 exits off. (not counting where you've come from)
Exit 1, 3o'clock is a dead road, doesn't go anywhere.
Exit 2, 1o'clock
Exit 3, 4o'clock
Road markings indicate left lane for exit 2 and right lane for exit 3.

Whilst it goes against what it says in the highway code about lanes for roundabouts, the road markings take priority.

The majority of road users follow the road markings at this roundabout, the occasional numpty driver doesn't and consequently tries to ram you off the road

The Highway Code says you SHOULD indicate when entering and preparing to leave a roundabout.

So the 70% of drivers who can't be arsed are wrong. And ExitPursuedByaGryffin's driving instructor should be disbarred.

DuelingFanjo yes that's right

I agree Butterbur! I didn't say it is advice that I follow

I also agree that left lane is not always for 1st exit, I was thinking mainly about the roundabout in my local town, where it is, so people get in the second lane to also leave at the 1st exit as that is where most people want to go.

Exit