Roundabout Question

ashl

Hi Everyone.

I have a question about roundabouts that I could use your help with. I always thought that when you are approaching a roundabout you always yield to traffic already on the roundabout and traffic coming from the right. Yesterday I got to a small roundabout and stopped to let a car pass from the right. I saw there was also a Jeep coming from the right but as it was a bit away from the enterance to the roundabout I proceeded on to the roundabout and was about to take the first exit when the driver of the jeep appeared right behind me blowing his horn like a lunatic. He was driving directly over the middle of the roundabout like it was a ramp! It was one of the smaller roundabouts that you need to slow down and steer around properly but not a really mini one so I feel he did not follow the rules of the road. The only reason he caught up to me at all is because he drove directly over the middle bit of the roundabout. He continued to blow his horn at me the whole way up the road to the next junction. Was I wrong to proceed even though I was on the roundabout before he even reached the start of it? Any advise would be appreciated as I am at a loss here...

Ashl

woodchuck

Something similar happened to me once.

I think technically you were following the rules of the road, BUT you need to be able to read the speed of the traffic about to come onto the roundabout and act accordingly. If they're flying along like a lunatic you should hold back. I've basically been told that if I'm going to cause someone else to brake then I should hold back.

(or someone correct me if I'm wrong! I'm finding the hardest part is reading their speed from a distance... hate roundabouts!)

Rasmus

ashl wrote: »

Hi Everyone.

I have a question about roundabouts that I could use your help with. I always thought that when you are approaching a roundabout you always yield to traffic already on the roundabout and traffic coming from the right. Yesterday I got to a small roundabout and stopped to let a car pass from the right. I saw there was also a Jeep coming from the right but as it was a bit away from the enterance to the roundabout I proceeded on to the roundabout and was about to take the first exit when the driver of the jeep appeared right behind me blowing his horn like a lunatic. He was driving directly over the middle of the roundabout like it was a ramp! It was one of the smaller roundabouts that you need to slow down and steer around properly but not a really mini one so I feel he did not follow the rules of the road. The only reason he caught up to me at all is because he drove directly over the middle bit of the roundabout. He continued to blow his horn at me the whole way up the road to the next junction. Was I wrong to proceed even though I was on the roundabout before he even reached the start of it? Any advise would be appreciated as I am at a loss here...

Ashl

You were right - the jeep driver was impatient, not adhering to traffic already on the roundabout and a danger to other road users. If he appeared behind you quickly it means he/she did not even slow down on the approach to the roundabout.

woodchuck

Rasmus wrote: »

You were right - the jeep driver was impatient, not adhering to traffic already on the roundabout and a danger to other road users. If he appeared behind you quickly it means he/she did not even slow down on the approach to the roundabout.

Even though they were in the wrong though, it's still important to recognise when another driver is doing something they shouldn't and react accordingly.

ashl

woodchuck wrote: »

Rasmus wrote: »

You were right - the jeep driver was impatient, not adhering to traffic already on the roundabout and a danger to other road users. If he appeared behind you quickly it means he/she did not even slow down on the approach to the roundabout.

Even though they were in the wrong though, it's still important to recognise when another driver is doing something they shouldn't and react accordingly.[/Quote


I completely agree but by the time he reached the roundabout I was exiting it so he was behind me! Anyway it doesnt really matter now but it annoyed me a lot as I believe the rules of the road are there for everyone despite the size of your vehicle - apart from buses but even they make some effort to go around the roundabouts!

Ashl

woodchuck

ashl wrote: »

I completely agree but by the time he reached the roundabout I was exiting it so he was behind me! Anyway it doesnt really matter now but it annoyed me a lot as I believe the rules of the road are there for everyone despite the size of your vehicle - apart from buses but even they make some effort to go around the roundabouts!

Ashl

I feel your pain! Like I said the same thing has happened to me... I'm still a learner myself, but one of the more annoying things I'm trying to get used to is the fact that there are fully licensed drivers who blatently ignore the rules of the road It's trying to react to THOSE drivers that I find the most challenging!

I guess what I'm trying to say is that once you realise that the other person is doing something they shouldn't, you need to an experienced (and good!) driver to tell you what the appropriate reaction should be. Don't just rest easy knowing that you were right and they were wrong and no damage was done this time... you really need to know how to deal with these people, because it WILL happen again

ashl

woodchuck wrote: »

ashl wrote: »

I completely agree but by the time he reached the roundabout I was exiting it so he was behind me! Anyway it doesnt really matter now but it annoyed me a lot as I believe the rules of the road are there for everyone despite the size of your vehicle - apart from buses but even they make some effort to go around the roundabouts!

Ashl

I feel your pain! Like I said the same thing has happened to me... I'm still a learner myself, but one of the more annoying things I'm trying to get used to is the fact that there are fully licensed drivers who blatently ignore the rules of the road It's trying to react to THOSE drivers that I find the most challenging!

I guess what I'm trying to say is that once you realise that the other person is doing something they shouldn't, you need to an experienced (and good!) driver to tell you what the appropriate reaction should be. Don't just rest easy knowing that you were right and they were wrong and no damage was done this time... you really need to know how to deal with these people, because it WILL happen again

Oh the joys of driving!! Seriously wish I never started with the whole thing to be honest. I've spent so much money on it now I feel I have to keep going until I pass but to be honest, with such nasty bad drivers on the road it's hard to enjoy it anymore. :-(

poldebruin

OP, you get this from time to time, especially on the painted roundabouts. Had the other driver run into the back of you, he would most definitely be a tfault, but as some of the other posters have advised, it's better to be safe than "in the right" but injured.

Another thing I look for (generally I won't procede if any of the following are true) on these type of roundabouts are:

• cars approaching from the right, going straight on - they don't have to slow down as much as ones taking left or last exits.
  
• are the cars approaching from the right coming downhill? my experience is that most maintain their (considerable) speed onto the roundabout.
  
• are you on an incline or going uphill - if so you're obviously going to take longer to progress on the roundabout as you accelerate.
  
• are you stationary at the roundabout - if so the same as above applies - slower to manouvere around the roundabout.
  
• buses and trucks tend to drive over the top of these roundabouts - in fact, they might be the very reason they are painted in the first place.
  
• Lastly - and this may just be my local one - but it seems there are more drivers using this type of roundabout to make a complete turnaround - it can be tempting to assume they are going straight on, but I'm particularly cautious on these small roundabouts.

The person you encountered sounds like a proper jerk, but unfortunately this will neither be the last, nor the worst you will encounter on the roads.

BostonB

I've noticed some people when they see you going to enter the roundabout put the foot down and accelerate at you. Just obnoxious tbh.

ashl

poldebruin wrote: »

OP, you get this from time to time, especially on the painted roundabouts. Had the other driver run into the back of you, he would most definitely be a tfault, but as some of the other posters have advised, it's better to be safe than "in the right" but injured.

Another thing I look for (generally I won't procede if any of the following are true) on these type of roundabouts are:

• cars approaching from the right, going straight on - they don't have to slow down as much as ones taking left or last exits.
  
• are the cars approaching from the right coming downhill? my experience is that most maintain their (considerable) speed onto the roundabout.
  
• are you on an incline or going uphill - if so you're obviously going to take longer to progress on the roundabout as you accelerate.
  
• are you stationary at the roundabout - if so the same as above applies - slower to manouvere around the roundabout.
  
• buses and trucks tend to drive over the top of these roundabouts - in fact, they might be the very reason they are painted in the first place.
  
• Lastly - and this may just be my local one - but it seems there are more drivers using this type of roundabout to make a complete turnaround - it can be tempting to assume they are going straight on, but I'm particularly cautious on these small roundabouts.

The person you encountered sounds like a proper jerk, but unfortunately this will neither be the last, nor the worst you will encounter on the roads.

Hi poldebruin. I have seen people deive over the edge of them before but never Right over the middle so i guess that is what really got to me. Anyway many thanks for all those valid points you took the time to type for me. I will be sure to keep them in mind for future, slightly more tentative driving. What's the bet I'll fail it for lack of progression next time!!!