Archived Topic
Topic ID 2113
18/10/2006 by lemonjelly
Indicating on roundabouts
Am I the only one to have noticed a recent increase in people indicating in the wrong direction when negotiating roundabouts?
I've become resigned to the fact that some people don't indicate at all on rounabouts but this one is new to me. I first noticed it a few months ago but my journey home today really took the biscuit. It happened to me twice, firstly in the Hatfield Business Park and then again on the A414 at the junction with Hertingfordbury Road.
In both cases the drivers were coming from the opposite direction to myself and I was stationary. They appeared by the first exit (from their direction) already indicating to turn left, even though they they had yet to start turning right across my path. They then continued past the second exit (where I was coming from) whilst still indicating left. It is only at this point (once passing my car) that they should have started indicating left.
In the first incident I pulled out in front of the oncoming car as I assumed they were heading straight across the roundabout, and was narrowly missed by the other car. At the Hertingfordbury Road junction I suspected (correctly) that the driver indicating left was actually turning right and so waited.
Ordinarily I would just put this down to bad driving but I keep seeing it, has there been a change in the highway code that I'm not aware of? So please, when you're next approaching a roundabout, think carefully about how other road users will percieve your signalling.
Rant over... Feel much better now.[:)]
0 replies
Archived Replies
Reply ID 28473
18/10/2006 by Fish Wife
Nah, you're not the only one.......
On Monday I had crossed the first set of lights at the bottom on London Road and was waiting in the right hand lane at the red light on the roundabout to turn on to Ware Road. Just in front of me was a Mercedes in the left hand lane.
Now call me stupid (most people do), but surely it is safe to assume that if a car is in the left hand lane on the roundabout it is going to turn left towards Fore Street.
Apparently this is not the case - when the lights changed, Laughing Boy in the Mercedes not only turned right at the roundabout, as I assumed to then go down the Ware Road and turn left at Tesco....oh no....he wanted to turn right from the left hand lane, narrowly avoid the car in front of me, brake sharply to miss it and then just miss me making the kind of contact with his bumper that would get you arrested in certain states in America. He wanted to go back up London Road! Absolutely, utterly and completely mind numbingly amazing. No indicator was involved at any time.
He couldn't understand why people were yelling at him and blaring their horns! He gave the usual limp wristed, loosely clenched fist salute that is so often used by the very people this 'salute' is named after.
Reply ID 28477
18/10/2006 by richardthelionheart
quote:
Originally posted by Fish Wife
Nah, you're not the only one.......
On Monday I had crossed the first set of lights at the bottom on London Road and was waiting in the right hand lane at the red light on the roundabout to turn on to Ware Road. Just in front of me was a Mercedes in the left hand lane.
Now call me stupid (most people do), but surely it is safe to assume that if a car is in the left hand lane on the roundabout it is going to turn left towards Fore Street.
Apparently this is not the case - when the lights changed, Laughing Boy in the Mercedes not only turned right at the roundabout, as I assumed to then go down the Ware Road and turn left at Tesco....oh no....he wanted to turn right from the left hand lane, narrowly avoid the car in front of me, brake sharply to miss it and then just miss me making the kind of contact with his bumper that would get you arrested in certain states in America. He wanted to go back up London Road! Absolutely, utterly and completely mind numbingly amazing. No indicator was involved at any time.
He couldn't understand why people were yelling at him and blaring their horns! He gave the usual limp wristed, loosely clenched fist salute that is so often used by the very people this 'salute' is named after.
Agree with all of the above - and don't even get me started on "the white van men" I drive into central London every day and would rather be on the starting grid in Formula 1 - it's safer!
Reply ID 28497
19/10/2006 by ian.ball
I've always thought the road markings on the bluecoats roundabout are bizarre - coming along the 414 from Hatfield to Ware it is perfectly legal to turn right in the left hand lane! Coming down London road it's also legal to turn left from the right hand lane!!! I've always assumed this is so that in rush hour it makes it easier and safer to get out of Gasgoyne Way car park, and it helps with the congetion on London road heading towards Hatfield, but it is incredibly confusing!
Reply ID 28503
19/10/2006 by jez_p
The markings are so that you have 2 lanes right through the roundabout on the A414 - This is to minimise rush hour congestion and it does seem to work.
Reply ID 28535
19/10/2006 by shunt
Indication on roundabouts seems to be a common cause of confusion. Sometimes it's because of excessive indication and resulting lack of cancellation. Apart from an indication before the exit at which one intends to leave, no indication is required. Even then, if in the left-hand lane and taking the first or second exit, even that isn't needed. Road positioning is vital, but this is getting more difficult as roundabouts are often mucked about with, so that every one has different priorities and lane markings. Often there are more lanes in than out, or vice-versa. Some even have traffic lights half way round them! The two lane right turn from Gascoine Way is a particularly bad example of non-standard priorities. Waiting at Ware Road, a Driver may well assume that the left lane is turning off the roundabout and the right continuing to London Road. It's safest not to assume any indication by another driver is an accurate prediction of what they will eventually do.
Reply ID 28567
19/10/2006 by simcut
your lucky they even indicate at all...I love the inconsiderate barstewards who dont indicate and turn off at a roundabout...where you could have pulled out and gone, grrrrr!!!!
Reply ID 28582
19/10/2006 by Dude
quote:
Originally posted by Fish Wife
Nah, you're not the only one.......
On Monday I had crossed the first set of lights at the bottom on London Road and was waiting in the right hand lane at the red light on the roundabout to turn on to Ware Road. Just in front of me was a Mercedes in the left hand lane.
Now call me stupid (most people do), but surely it is safe to assume that if a car is in the left hand lane on the roundabout it is going to turn left towards Fore Street.
Apparently this is not the case - when the lights changed, Laughing Boy in the Mercedes not only turned right at the roundabout, as I assumed to then go down the Ware Road and turn left at Tesco....oh no....he wanted to turn right from the left hand lane, narrowly avoid the car in front of me, brake sharply to miss it and then just miss me making the kind of contact with his bumper that would get you arrested in certain states in America. He wanted to go back up London Road! Absolutely, utterly and completely mind numbingly amazing. No indicator was involved at any time.
He couldn't understand why people were yelling at him and blaring their horns! He gave the usual limp wristed, loosely clenched fist salute that is so often used by the very people this 'salute' is named after.
My biggest pet hate on all the Hertford roads! People who come down London Road, enter the roundabout, move to the left lane once they enter the roundabout, but instead of taking the Town centre exit, they go right to Tesco! Arrh!
Every morning, loads of morons doing it. I've nearly had two accidents this week when I've tried to do it correctly. All I got was the finger from some teenage girl in her 106!
Odds on I'll be in an accident on there soon!
Reply ID 28613
20/10/2006 by Leo Densian
quote:
Originally posted by ian.ball
I've always thought the road markings on the bluecoats roundabout are bizarre - coming along the 414 from Hatfield to Ware it is perfectly legal to turn right in the left hand lane! Coming down London road it's also legal to turn left from the right hand lane!!! I've always assumed this is so that in rush hour it makes it easier and safer to get out of Gasgoyne Way car park, and it helps with the congetion on London road heading towards Hatfield, but it is incredibly confusing!
When they did the roundabout they basically legitimised what many people were doing anyway, rightly or wrongly.
Reply ID 28620
20/10/2006 by ian.ball
quote:
Originally posted by Leo Densian
When they did the roundabout they basically legitimised what many people were doing anyway, rightly or wrongly.
Yes, I recall that. I can understand why they did it, but it would be interesting to see if it's had any effect on acccident rates. My guess is that there are now fewer accidents as it's become more common so you're expecting it. Well, that's what I do anyway [:)]
Reply ID 28627
20/10/2006 by Leo Densian
Where it gets hairy is coming down London Rd and someone in the LH lane goes straight over into Fore St (rather than going left) and you are in the RH lane (as per the signs) turning left.
Nearly lost my left wing on more than one occasion [V]
Reply ID 28638
20/10/2006 by jez_p
Some people don't seem to read the signs and just carry on regardless according to the rules that they think are right
Reply ID 28708
23/10/2006 by Mike
My prob with this roundabout is trying to go to Ware and finding the traffic queue at Tescos lights stops you getting into right lane. Wonder if HH could phase lights so on is less likely to find a red after leaving the roundabout?
12 replies