mini-roundabouts and indication while going straight

Chris_Heilong

A while back I started a tread on Mini non traditional roundabouts and indicating: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?p=76800791, I mentioned about not needing to indicate when going straight trough a mini-roundabout but as the usual saying goes treat it as you would any roundabout, now many people here pointed out the you 'must' always use indicators but I remembered hearing from an offical source that you did not have to, I was watching an ISM driving video where this was mentioned again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdVoy3SUJ5Y&lc=VlaF3TEwWLDzKAxOHVsoqOB6qKryrXJ1K90NnXZFYic&feature=inbox If you scroll to 24:30 on the video you will see what I mean, any thoughts on this?

wonski

I think that would be difficult to indicate in this situation. Between first exit and second (going straight) there is no even time to indicate. Common sense applies - position of the car is probably more than enough in this case. You would have to knock off indicator in less than a second.

Chris_Heilong

wonski wrote: »

I think that would be difficult to indicate in this situation. Between first exit and second (going straight) there is no even time to indicate. Common sense applies - position of the car is probably more than enough in this case. You would have to knock off indicator in less than a second.

yeah but most mini roundabouts are like this, anyway the video says "remember, you dont have to indicate when going straight on a mini roundabout", they were making a statment and not just talking about that particular roundabout.

wonski

I think we can trust ISM on this. But still indicating is not forbidden, so if the mini roundabout is a little different, and you are not sure, you can indicate. That is my understanding. You can also indicate as a courtesy to driver behind you, or the one joining it from opposite side.

loobylou

wonski wrote: »

I think we can trust ISM on this..

No we can't.
That is the rule in the UK, in Ireland you should always signal your intention to leave a roundabout.
Had this very conversation recently with a senior tester from RSA.

Chris_Heilong

loobylou wrote: »

No we can't.
That is the rule in the UK, in Ireland you should always signal your intention to leave a roundabout.
Had this very conversation recently with a senior tester from RSA.

problem is these guys in the video are testers in the Raheny branch, the rules really need to be concrete IMO. Best option is to just indicate in all situations regardless.:)

MascotDec85

loobylou wrote: »

No we can't.
That is the rule in the UK, in Ireland you should always signal your intention to leave a roundabout.
Had this very conversation recently with a senior tester from RSA.

What is the rule in the UK?

loobylou

MascotDec85 wrote: »

What is the rule in the UK?

Its not necessary to signal if going straight through a mini roundabout.

MascotDec85

loobylou wrote: »

MascotDec85 wrote: »

What is the rule in the UK?

Its not necessary to signal if going straight through a mini roundabout.

That's not the rule in the UK mate, I passed my test there.

Here's the Highway Code section on mini roundabouts:


Mini-roundabouts. Approach these in the same way as normal roundabouts. All vehicles MUST pass round the central markings except large vehicles which are physically incapable of doing so. Remember, there is less space to manoeuvre and less time to signal. Avoid making U-turns at mini-roundabouts. Beware of others doing this.

[Laws RTA 1988 sect 36 & TSRGD regs 10(1) & 16(1)]

189
At double mini-roundabouts treat each roundabout separately and give way to traffic from the right.

190
Multiple roundabouts. At some complex junctions, there may be a series of mini-roundabouts at each intersection. Treat each mini-roundabout separately and follow the normal rules.

loobylou

I've seen this argued ad nauseum on UK training websites, especially in regard to instructing beginners.
Briefly the arguments are thus. There is never a need to signal unless there is someone to benefit from it. UK rule. Given there is so little time to signal whilst on a mini roundabout, a signal would be either (a) too late to be of benefit or (b) likely to interfere with steering.
The law here is different, ie, you must always signal your intention.

Wishbone Ash

MascotDec85 wrote: »

Avoid making U-turns at mini-roundabouts. Beware of others doing this

Presumably this means not returning to the road you entered from (i.e. all the way around)? Why should this be avoided? I would have thought it safer than doing a turnabout on a road.