Mini roundabouts and indicator use

YbFocus

Hi lads this is something I've noticed and never thought of posting.
When using mini roundabouts, such as the ones outside estates that meet main roads (you know the ones you can bomb through if going straight) I still use the indicators like on any roundabout.
But from what I can see nobody else seems to!

Basically what I'm wondering is:

Do you?

Or is there something somewhere that says that they ain't proper roundabouts and I'm wrong?

Mint Sauce

YbFocus wrote: »

Hi lads this is something I've noticed and never thought of posting.
When using mini roundabouts, such as the ones outside estates that meet main roads (you know the ones you can bomb through if going straight) I still use the indicators like on any roundabout.
But from what I can see nobody else seems to!

Basically what I'm wondering is:

Do you?

Or is there something somewhere that says that they ain't proper roundabouts and I'm wrong?

Same as any other roundabout.

oldyouth

I treat them as proper roundabouts and signal accordingly

YbFocus

Cool lads, just I often see people blast through ignoring the right of way rule and thought am I missing something!

Oink

There's too many people out there driving like clowns. Don't pay attention to them.

EDIT:

YbFocus wrote: »

Cool lads, just I often see people blast through ignoring the right of way rule and thought am I missing something!

Yeah. Happened to me twice this weekend. If you don't assume they're out to get you, "you're going to have a bad time".

Interslice

YbFocus wrote: »

Cool lads, just I often see people blast through ignoring the right of way rule and thought am I missing something!

They have right of way in their head. Can be dodgy little yolks if your turning right.

TheBody

The people who don't indicate on dimple round abouts probably don't indicate on big round abouts (which seems to be about 99% of the driving population).

YbFocus

TheBody wrote: »

The people who don't indicate on dimple round abouts probably don't indicate on big round abouts (which seems to be about 99% of the driving population).

That's true or the old indicate right go straight or whatever :rolleyes:

It just seems even crazier on the mini's though, maybe just in my area

pajor

Same as any other roundabout.

wonski

Some of those are so small and short, that You find it hard to indicate correctly and on time. Maybe that's the reason.

franer1970

As the 70s / 80s UK traffic safety advert used to go:
"Blue disc, white arrows means mini-roundabout.
Treat it as a roundabout, although it may not look like one"

Can't find it online, annoyingly enough.

tobsey

wonski wrote: »

Some of those are so small and short, that You find it hard to indicate correctly and on time. Maybe that's the reason.

This for me. I have to go through an estate with about 6 or seven small roundabouts after coming off the motorway on the way home. They are so small that your signal will only flash once at most after you pass the first exit and before you leave at the second one.

I will always indicate left or right at them if I'm turning, but if I'm going straight I'll only signal left that I'm coming off if there is a vehicle approaching from the opposite direction.

jimgoose

I treat them like any other roundabout where practical. That is to say, on very small ones I'll only signal if taking the first or third exit.

YbFocus

jimgoose wrote: »

I treat them like any other roundabout where practical. That is to say, on very small ones I'll only signal if taking the first or third exit.

Why not nick the indicator when your going straight on?

jimgoose

YbFocus wrote: »

Why not nick the indicator when your going straight on?

I will if I can. Some of the small "roundabouts" around Cork are already in the rear-view mirror by the time the indicator comes on!

dnme

This forum is a great place to ask for rules / etiquette advice cos everyone here drives perfectly at all times

LordSutch

YbFocus wrote: »

Hi lads this is something I've noticed and never thought of posting.
When using mini roundabouts, such as the ones outside estates that meet main roads (you know the ones you can bomb through if going straight) I still use the indicators like on any roundabout.
But from what I can see nobody else seems to!

Basically what I'm wondering is:

Do you?

Or is there something somewhere that says that they ain't proper roundabouts and I'm wrong?

I have the misfortune to encounter a couple of those 'mini' roundabouts every day, and my natural instinct (going straight) is to not use my indicators! > reason being that by the time I could indicate left it would be time to indicate right, (and all within the blink of an eye).

If I approach the mini roundabout to turn left I indicate Left, and if I wish to turn right I indicate right, and if I am going straight through I don't indicate. Indicating left then right is so bloody confusing to other motorists and pedestrians alike.

Mint Sauce

TheBody wrote: »

The people who don't indicate on dimple round abouts probably don't indicate on big round abouts (which seems to be about 99% of the driving population).

People wont change. Y junction near to me had a dimple roundabout installed to slow people down going through it. Council recently started widening the pavements and raised the kerbs as people still going through too fast, not indicating, causing accidents. Today approaching it there was still people trying to find the shortest route arcross despite new chicane curbing on the approach.

YbFocus

Mint Sauce wrote: »

People wont change. Y junction near to me had a dimple roundabout installed to slow people down going through it. Council recently started widening the pavements and raised the kerbs as people still going through too fast, not indicating, causing accidents. Today approaching it there was still people trying to find the shortest route arcross despite new chicane curbing on the approach.

Also seen that a million times! They should have spikes that protrude from the roundabout

gramar

Oink wrote: »

There's too many people out there driving like clowns. Don't pay attention to them.

They're the ones you have to pay most attention to!

ardmacha

People wont change

Why is it not possible to erect a camera at such locations, for a period? Having received a few tickets people probably would change and this would set the tone for using these locations.

wonski

franer1970 wrote: »

As the 70s / 80s UK traffic safety advert used to go:
"Blue disc, white arrows means mini-roundabout.
Treat it as a roundabout, although it may not look like one"

Can't find it online, annoyingly enough.

Actually in UK there is a rule that on mini roundabout you indicate when entering, but you are not required to signal when leaving...
Makes sense - left, right or straight, and given the size of some of them your position will tell more the other driver than the orange light flashing for a second. Not sure what are the rules in Ireland, but I always indicate, because I'm perfect:D

Here is something I found online, but again it is for UK, so not sure if it applies to Ireland:

---

Mini roundabout indicating

As with normal roundabouts, if turning left or right at a mini roundabouts, an indication must be applied. As mini roundabouts are small however, a secondary exit signal does not have to be implemented. On normal roundabouts, vehicles frequently do not indicate, on mini roundabouts however, vehicles usually indicate, especially if they intend on turning right. If a vehicle is turning right at a mini roundabout, due to its small size, it is far too dangerous not to indicate.

---

LordSutch

What really annoys me are the drivers who indicate <left then right> while going straight through (a mini roundabout).

This is a crazy and dangerous practice, as it leaves pedestrians & other drivers dithering and confused as to what way the flashing car is going.

"Is that blasted driver turning left or right? oh no, he's now going straight through"

I say that on those mini painted on roundabouts, its crazy to indicate if you're going straight through.

Rant over, and relax )

franer1970

LordSutch wrote: »

If I approach the mini roundabout to turn left I indicate Left, and if I wish to turn right I indicate right, and if I am going straight through I don't indicate.

A reasonable policy, but unfortunately with so many people not bothering to signal at all I'd assume not signalling means "could go any way at all" and adopt a wait and see approach.

Solution: a third indicator, in the middle, that means "I'm going straight on".:rolleyes:

YbFocus

Anytime I see no indicator use I always wait to see what "this lad" is going to do.
Otherwise you think "Ah no he's going straight" and your car and NCB is gone.

DMW22

I do a fair bit of driving for work and I have seen some bad driving especially at night. The majority of drivers in Ireland don't indicate and the some that do indicate incorrectly. I don't understand why Irish drivers don't like to use that stalk behind their steering wheel.
Only two days ago I nearly had an accident on one of these mini roundabouts. I had just entered it when a driver on the next exit never even looked my direction and just pulled out in front of me.

Another thing with roundabouts in general is drivers don't know how to use the lanes correctly. People taking 3rd or 4th exits while using the left hand lane. The RSA's tv ads clearly aren't working. Either more training needs to be given or more testing needs begin.
Are we the only country that once you have your licence you never need to do a driving test again for that category?

wonski

Here are 2 examples of how irish drivers deal with roundabouts. The first one has no clue how to indicate and causes confussion every time he enters one:

http://www.dailymotion.com/user/roundabouts1/1#video=x163ejc

The second one does have a clue, but doesn't bother with keeping to his "lane". There are no lane markings, but 2 cars fit perfectly if each keep to their "lane". At least he indicated :

http://www.dailymotion.com/user/roundabouts1/1#video=x163egc

And yes, the Nissan driver was going straight. Where did the idea to indicate right when entering roundabout come from? Even if going straight ahead from left lane? Can't get it really...

Chris_Heilong

as regards mini roundabouts, and I mean the spot painted white on the road, I would not indicate going straight, you indicate to tell other drivers what your intention is, on a mini round about there is not time at all to tell other drivers that you are going straight. It is better to have a blanket rule to cover all roundabouts and not have special rules for different ones as that would cause even more confusion however In this situation the only signals that other drivers will have time to read are left turn and right turn.