[loobylou]

Originally Posted by Jimjay

Thats a bit vague though. You could say that if there is stopped or slower moving traffic in the left hand lane then then that would cover being blocked which would then allow you to go straight ahead (12 o'clock) using the right hand lane.

What problems do you foresee if traffic is going straight ahead using the right lane of a two way approach on a duel carriage way? Any cars in the left lane should be going left or straight ahead so as long as a car on the right lane going straight ahead also exist to the right lane then no problems there!

Its not vague at all. The rules of the road say you should be in the left lane when going straight through the roundabout, unless roadmarkings dictate otherwise or EXCEPTIONAL circumstances exist, as quoted earlier.

Interesting second point though. You seem to suggest that its OK to be in the incorrect lane going straight through because nobody else will/should/might be in the incorrect lane while turning right.

If everybody were to obey the current rules, local anomalies could or should be sorted out by local authorities.
Instead we have a situation where people decide which rules of the road they agree with and choose to obey.

[Jimjay]

Originally Posted by loobylou

Its not vague at all. The rules of the road say you should be in the left lane when going straight through the roundabout, unless roadmarkings dictate otherwise or EXCEPTIONAL circumstances exist, as quoted earlier.

Interesting second point though. You seem to suggest that its OK to be in the incorrect lane going straight through because nobody else will/should/might be in the incorrect lane while turning right.

If everybody were to obey the current rules, local anomalies could or should be sorted out by local authorities.
Instead we have a situation where people decide which rules of the road they agree with and choose to obey.

I wonder why the rules are different in the uk. The Highway code says use the left lane for turning left, right lane for right and 'appropriate' lane For intermediate exits. To be honest I took my test in uk and was taught that you can go straight on in either left or right lane. I did not know until reading the Irish equivalent to highway code that the rules here were different although I still think if there is traffic in the left lane that would class as exceptional circumstances, there is no way a traffic jam would form at a roundabout if there were two lanes at each side of the roundabout.

I can't see many guards stopping you. I saw a guarda car drive towards charlesland from town in the left lane, he turned right in to charlesland estate using left lane at roundabout while a car in the right lane was coming out of charlesland turning right and that car almost drove straight in to side of guarda car. Guarda appologies with a nod and wave and dipped head and kept going. This was about a week ago.

[loobylou]

Originally Posted by Jimjay

I did not know until reading the Irish equivalent to highway code that the rules here were different although I still think if there is traffic in the left lane that would class as exceptional circumstances, there is no way a traffic jam would form at a roundabout if there were two lanes at each side of the roundabout.

I can't see many guards stopping you. I saw a guarda car drive towards charlesland from town in the left lane, he turned right in to charlesland estate using left lane at roundabout while a car in the right lane was coming out of charlesland turning right and that car almost drove straight in to side of guarda car. Guarda appologies with a nod and wave and dipped head and kept going. This was about a week ago.

The first rule of the road (in Ireland naturally) is to keep left. Therefore it is unreasonable for you to suggest that traffic in the left lane as being an exceptional circumstance.
To be fair too, traffic jams are not forming at Greystones roundabouts, although I do accept your point on a more regional level. This though ought to be up the local authorities to rectify on a case by case basis, ie by marking roundabouts appropriately.

The fact too that Guards are unlikely to stop you does not make what you are doing correct or legal. Most times they just couldn't be a***ed, which in itself perpetuates the problem.

BTW to keep this relevant locally, last week I had a beauty. From Eden Gate roundabout (where I joined), all along towards Greystones, guy in the right overtaking lane and for the very last roundabout he moved back into the left lane to make a right turn

[cuddlycavies]

If everyone obeyed the 12 o clock left lane only rule. Loughlinstown roundabout would be worse than it is at peak times. a right lane driver poses no threat to the left as long as everyone is staying on the correct side of lane lines. It's a ridiculous rule.

[Cookie_Monster]

Originally Posted by Huntthe

The rules.

If you are exiting at the first or second exit be in the outside lane.

Any other exit be in the inside lane.

Anything before 12 o clock position is left lane, anything after 12 is right lane unless signage dictates otherwise, ie on dual carraigeways confirmed by RSA after a query after this thread topic came up in motors

exit number does not matter.

[loobylou]

Originally Posted by cuddlycavies

If everyone obeyed the 12 o clock left lane only rule. Loughlinstown roundabout would be worse than it is at peak times. a right lane driver poses no threat to the left as long as everyone is staying on the correct side of lane lines. It's a ridiculous rule.

The purpose of roundabouts is to improve traffic flow. If the design of a particular roundabout is not doing that, it is up to the local council to correct that.
The confusion arises because many people decide that the law is ridiculous and therefore it should not apply to them.
I agree with you about Loughlinstown roundabout, however the solution is to change the lane markings as opposed to everyone taking the law into their own hands.

[cuddlycavies]

The Australian rules allow 12 o clock straight ahead both lanes too,
http://www.brisbanedrivingschool.com...oundabouts.pdf
But what would they know?
They need to learn how to make cardboard licences and allow young people stick an L on a Porsche and drive away without any lessons :-)

[Jimjay]

Originally Posted by Cookie_Monster

Anything before 12 o clock position is left lane, anything after 12 is right lane unless signage dictates otherwise, ie on dual carraigeways confirmed by RSA after a query after this thread topic came up in motors

exit number does not matter.

I think we all get that. We are talking about 12oclock as far as i understand, not before 12oclock or after it.

[Cookie_Monster]

Originally Posted by Jimjay

I think we all get that. We are talking about 12oclock as far as i understand, not before 12oclock or after it.

ah, well up to and including 12 then.

[LifeBeginsAt40]

I passed my test in the UK and also was a qualified motorcycle instructor and the rules were (are?) simple.

2 lanes in with 2 lanes exit > either lane can be used for straight on unless specifically marked out otherwise.

Right lane for straight on (only if 2 lanes exit) and turning right only.

Left lane, turning left or straight on. NEVER EVER turning right, that is, taking an exit beyond what we all understand to be straight ahead (12 o clock).

You must also give way to traffic ON the roundabout when entering. Except if you happen to drive on the island of Jersey.

Simple really.

[.243]

Originally Posted by LifeBeginsAt40

I passed my test in the UK and also was a qualified motorcycle instructor and the rules were (are?) simple.

2 lanes in with 2 lanes exit > either lane can be used for straight on unless specifically marked out otherwise.

Right lane for straight on (only if 2 lanes exit) and turning right only.

Left lane, turning left or straight on. NEVER EVER turning right, that is, taking an exit beyond what we all understand to be straight ahead (12 o clock).

You must also give way to traffic ON the roundabout when entering. Except if you happen to drive on the island of Jersey.

Simple really.

spot on
is the ruling for the island of jersey the same for the roundabouts in france too ??

[Jimjay]

Originally Posted by .243

spot on
is the ruling for the island of jersey the same for the roundabouts in france too ??

Lol. I dont think they have rules for the roundabouts in france, even for the ones that seem to have five lanes :-)

[LifeBeginsAt40]

The Jersey rule is alternative give way, so the car on the roundabout gives way and allows one car to enter the roundabout and so on.

It works well as it prevents the mad long queues to enter a roundabout that has prominent traffic from the right etc.

One car enters roundabout, one passes on roundabout, the next car enters the roundabout.

How bl**dy simple is that! Make it a traffic law, enforce it. Job done.

[Langerland]

I think the bottom line is that the most frustrating thing about our local (and I suppose nationally) round-abouts, is people driving in the left lane attempting to turn right. It's completely illogical if nothing else.

[Jimjay]

Originally Posted by Langerland

I think the bottom line is that the most frustrating thing about our local (and I suppose nationally) round-abouts, is people driving in the left lane attempting to turn right. It's completely illogical if nothing else.

Spot on