Road layout, which is correct?

[alexanderfoti]

Right. Going straight across the roundabout from this approach:

https://www.google.co.uk/maps/searc...3a9d74c853a58308!4m2!1d-0.4036964!2d51.593832

I come along, and keep to the left lane, cars are queued up in the left most lane, therefore covering the road marking with a left hand arrow.

I proceed to go straight on to the second exit from lane 1, and get an earful of cack from some unpleasant person .

Thoughts on this situation? No prior signage to say "left lane left turn only etc". In the situation where there is only road markings which takes precedence, as in many situations the road markings are obscured!

 

[LostKiwi]

Technically you were in the wrong and should have followed the road markings and corrected your mistake later.

My rule of thumb is if in doubt use the right Lane as you can just do a full circuit of the roundabout to get back on track.

 

[alexanderfoti]

Technically you were in the wrong and should have followed the road markings and corrected your mistake later.

My rule of thumb is if in doubt use the right Lane as you can just do a full circuit of the roundabout to get back on track.

Fair enough.

Do you see the flaw in the lane marking method though? Surely there should be a sign in advance, showing that this "hidden" lane is left turn only?

 

[Srdl]

It's always difficult when you are on unfamiliar roads but sadly big headed morons don't take that into account.

 

[alexanderfoti]

It's always difficult when you are on unfamiliar roads but sadly big headed morons don't take that into account.

Very True!

So just checking, lane arrows/marking always take precedence over normal behaviour (like roundabouts left lane for exit 1/2 eg)?

 

[Srdl]

So just checking, lane arrows/marking always take precedence over normal behaviour (like roundabouts left lane for exit 1/2 eg)?

I suppose so or otherwise there would be no point to the road markings.

 

[Naraic]

In the situation proceed with extreme care. You couldn't have seen the road markings and therefore your situation is understandable. Would that those doing the signage would think about such possibilities with an advance left turn only sign.

As it is you weren't the only one to get it wrong...witness the Smart in the Street view!! He had no excuse though.

 

[alexanderfoti]

In the situation proceed with extreme care. You couldn't have seen the road markings and therefore your situation is understandable. Would that those doing the signage would think about such possibilities with an advance left turn only sign.

Indeed, I think proper signs may be far too logical...

 

[LostKiwi]

Following Lane markings is what matters. At the point of entry to the roundabout the left Lane clearly doesn't go straight ahead.
I do sympathise and have been caught the same way. A proper advance sign warning of the lane layout is obviously needed but some of these numpty road designers fail to think of what is obvious to most of us drivers.

 

[alexanderfoti]

Following Lane markings is what matters. At the point of entry to the roundabout the left Lane clearly doesn't go straight ahead.
I do sympathise and have been caught the same way. A proper advance sign warning of the lane layout is obviously needed but some of these numpty road designers fail to think of what is obvious to most of us drivers.

I agree. The problem is you can normally see well in advance, but on this road it appears out of nowhere round the corner.

 

[JT1]

I always assume 6-12 o'clock left hand lane and 12-6 right hand lane unless indicated otherwise but in this case it's indicated otherwise too late and I bet there are many that know fine well what the arrows say but still take the wrong lane to jump a queue and if it came to it would plead ignorance - an advance lane layout sign would remove any excuse.

There are plenty of roundabouts like that around here; one in particular where the exit past 12 o'clock is marked left lane; so because I cannot guarantee what any car alongside me (to my right) might be intending to do, I just straddle both the lanes and that gets me some serious abuse but 90% of the time it's from someone that would have attempted to come off at the same exit as me (a single lane) and would be giving me abuse anyway - while totally unaware they are doing anything wrong.

 

[V6Matty]

Personally I was always took it as 1st/2nd exit you be in the left lane anything from 2nd onwards your going to be in the right hand lane, id probably done the exact same as Alex here

 

[L John]

As others, no signage prior to the split and the road marking is too late if there's queuing traffic.
You were in the wrong lane through no fault of your own, but by the time you got to the roundabout you would have known you were in the wrong lane to go straight on.
In that situation you have two choices.
1. Turn left and get back on route at the next opportunity.
2. If it's safe, indicate right to show you are not taking the left turn and go straight on.
If taking option 2 and the move was completely safe just ignore anyone tooting.

If there was a crash due to poor signage, the driver would be 100% to blame as they should have taken option 1.
Signage will no doubt be put up after a dozen crashes have occurred or after 10 years, whichever occurs latest.

 

[BernardB]

Agree with LJ, adding that perhaps if taking option 2 raise a hand in apology? Regular users of that junction probably see it happening a lot.

I'm also mindful of my old instructor's views on lane discipline at roundabouts:

Q: When approaching a roundabout, which lane should I be in?
A: The other one!

 

[Rappey69]

This type of roundabout marking is all too common nowadays, and each one can be different as if you come to the next roundabout in the right lane to go straight you may find that is turn right only !
Its a totally crazy idea as you have no way of knowing whether to choose the left or right lane for going straight on, and no signs giving you a clue when its heavy traffic.

 

[LostKiwi]

This type of roundabout marking is all too common nowadays, and each one can be different as if you come to the next roundabout in the right lane to go straight you may find that is turn right only !
Its a totally crazy idea as you have no way of knowing whether to choose the left or right lane for going straight on, and no signs giving you a clue when its heavy traffic.

That's why if in doubt I always choose the right lane. At least you can go all the way round to sort it out!

 

[geraldrobins]

No doubt the traffic in front of the OP intending to turn left did not signal their intention either.
I thought the rule at junctions was usually the right hand lane is for turning right and the left for straight ahead and turning left.
Road markings are fine when there isnt a few queueing cars to cover them and they havent been worn away or if its dark and raining.

 

[L John]

No doubt the traffic in front of the OP intending to turn left did not signal their intention either.
I thought the rule at junctions was usually the right hand lane is for turning right and the left for straight ahead and turning left.
Road markings are fine when there isnt a few queueing cars to cover them and they havent been worn away or if its dark and raining.

When I'm in a lane that only has one exit route I don't indicate either.

 

[geraldrobins]

When I'm in a lane that only has one exit route I don't indicate either.

Personally I always indicate and anyone behind would have the opportunity to use the adjacent lanee in many instances. How do following vehicles know there is only one exit route.

 

[Frosty149]

This discussion highlights the need for laneage signs in line of vision, in this instance, not just on the road.
I would always default to the right where my exit is not the first, that said, it costs nothing to indicate and there are many inexperienced, flappy, lunatic and maniac drivers out there!
Always safer to indicate, IMO.