Which lane should I use at this rounabout?

december2019

I know the general rule about roundabouts lane 1 exits before 9 O'Clock and lane two for those after it.

Follow signs, roadmarkings,etc.

However this roundabout near Kildare village confuses me a little.

If I'm travelling from Kildare and intend to take the send exit for Limerick/Cork(To go over the flyover.)

What lane should I use?

I've seen cars take both exits and don't want to get stuck in somebody.

Squall

I would be in the right most lane as you are effectively taking the final exit on the roundabout

lmk123

The right hand lane definitely

Allinall

Is there not just one lane entering the roundabout?

december2019

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121500562#Comment_121500562

There's two.

december2019

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121500556#Comment_121500556

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121500557#Comment_121500557

Cheers I've seen people use both lanes.

Spook_ie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121500568#Comment_121500568

There's only one lane exiting though? and there are no lane markings on the actual RaB

IMO Use either approach lane but if using the RH lane then make sure you indicate and watch for traffic overtaking you on the left.

mgbgt1978

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058327076/which-lane-should-i-use-at-this-rounabout

Sorry, but you don't appear to know the Rules regarding Roundabouts. Lane 1 (L/H Lane) is for all Exits up to, and including, 12 0'clock.

cml387

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121503278#Comment_121503278

Not necessarily. Sometimes the left lane is for straight on (but it may well be marked out on the road that way). Probably more correct to say unless otherwise indicated, left most lane for exits up to 12 o'clock (-ish, because they aren't geometrically laid out either).

JohnC.

What I've learned from other road users is you enter on the left, drift across to the right, drift back to the left to exit. Don't bother with any flashing lights unless you flash the headlights at the person in front to get out of the way.

Curse These Metal Hands

You flip a coin on approach and hope for the best, at least that's what everyone else seems to do.

chooseusername

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121503278#Comment_121503278

There's only 2 exits; 9 O'clock and 12 O'clock! I wonder what the right lane is for.

mickdw

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121503278#Comment_121503278

Idiotic.

There are 2 lanes marked onto the roundabout. There are only 2 exits so by definition, one lane for each exit.

The signage on entry shows the layout of the roadabout clearly highlighting the lack of an exit at the 3 o clock position so use the available lanes for the available exits, don't just all pile into one lane.

TheRiverman

The signpost shows Limerick as straight ahead. The general rule is if you are going straight ahead you stay in the left lane unless there is an arrow(s) showing otherwise.

Curse These Metal Hands

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121503799#Comment_121503799

Think he's referring to the OPs statement that the general rule is left lane for exits before 9 o clock and everything else is right lane.

moonage

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121503779#Comment_121503779

There are 3 exits, the final one being a cul-de-sac.

To go straight ahead (12 O'Clock) use the left lane.

If the left lane is very congested the right lane can be used to go straight ahead.

chooseusername

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121503820#Comment_121503820

The "general" rule does not apply here.

There are no arrows or road markings here, there are two lanes into the roundabout and only two exits, again, what is the right lane for?

chooseusername

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121503919#Comment_121503919

There are 3 exits, the final one being a cul-de-sac.

december2019

Thanks, I get the general vibe here that I get off most people regarding this roundabout.

A mod can lock the thread because we don't need a heated debate on the matter.

chooseusername

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121504087#Comment_121504087

Heated debates are good, people learn stuff.

newmember2

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121503278#Comment_121503278

The second exit is at 1 o'clock.

chooseusername

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121504114#Comment_121504114

11:59 actually;

JohnC.

Actually, I think some people might be confusing the approach being used on the aerial image posted. The car is not coming from the east, it's coming from the north, taking the second exit, which is 12, not 1, from there. The third is not a cul-de-sac, but a one-way road that only enters the roundabout.

chooseusername

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121504148#Comment_121504148

Yes, I rotated the map to show the entry at 6 O'clock.

The second post in the thread was the correct answer.

moonage

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121503938#Comment_121503938

If there are no road markings to indicate otherwise, why wouldn't the general rule apply?

The right lane is for doing a 360 degree turn to exit the way you entered, or can be used if the left lane is congested.

TheRiverman

There should be no argument here, straight on the r415 means staying in left lane on the roundabout. Any driving instructors or testers on here to prove otherwise ?

BlakeS94

It's left lane for Dublin and limerick and Cork, you should only be in the right lane if you're swinging back around to exit in the direction you entered the roundabout.

This is why I see so many idiot drivers on the road that I have to compensate for, you have to be a good driver for yourself, and for the other cars around.

BlakeS94

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121500556#Comment_121500556

You take the left hand lane because the sign post shows limerick/cork as being straight ahead. Even if it's not exactly 12 o clock or a little after, the sign post states its straight ahead which is left lane on and left lane off.

Final exit on the roundabout is back the way he came, limerick/cork is exit 2 and the one in between is the one way slip road coming from the M7.

JVince

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121503779#Comment_121503779

Plenty of motorists do 360 degree there after leaving someone at the bus stop. (Airport stop)

Left lane is following both rules of the road and the approach signage.

However, rules of the road says "generally"

At this roundabout Right lane can be used too, but as normal, you should not overtake or undertake on a roundabout and always give right of way to someone already on the roundabout

Jinglejangle69

If you actually look closely the second lane is past 12 o clock, it’s probably around 1 o clock.

So just follow the simple rule and stay in the right hand lane.

Jinglejangle69

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121504615#Comment_121504615

Nah most roundabouts don’t have signs when approaching.

You look at the roundabout and make the decision based on which exit you’re taking.

Its not rocket science yet Irish people can’t get their heads around it most of the time.

GreeBo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121504658#Comment_121504658

"nah"? So just ignore the road signs?

When there is a sign you follow the sign of course! Its nigh on impossible to "look at a roundabout" from the road and determine the angles, the approach road is often on a slight bend.

In this example, based on the signage, the left lane for exits 1 and 2, but you can also use the right lane for exit 2 since there are 2 exit lanes.

Page 134 ROTR.

chooseusername

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121504901#Comment_121504901

 you can also use the right lane for exit 2 since there are 2 exit lanes.

Only one lane at exit 2. If there are 2 lanes there would be no discussion.

rbt.jpg

TheRiverman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121504901#Comment_121504901

There are not two exit lanes on the r415 that is shown here.

Jinglejangle69

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121504901#Comment_121504901

Thats not the way the roundabout exit is though.

GreeBo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121505392#Comment_121505392

Apologies, I was looking at the picture in post #5 from right to left.

However, the main point is that you do indeed follow the signage, it clearly shows the second exit at the 12 o'clock position so you use the left lane.

GreeBo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121505142#Comment_121505142

Unfortunately there would still be discussion as some posters are advocating that you ignore the road signs and instead somehow "just know" which exit is in which position, perhaps they always have a drone flying overhead...?

Jinglejangle69

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121505399#Comment_121505399

Yes it does but it doesn’t say about which lane to use. The exit isn’t at 12 o clock.

Spook_ie

Lord knows what some of you would make of these RaBs

https://www.google.com/maps/@53.4233301,-6.3634178,239m/data=!3m1!1e3?entry=ttu

Please just stay at home if you need to read the RotR while you're driving anywhere instead of using your noggin

XsApollo

Unless there are arrows on the road telling me which lane to use.

I follow left lane for straight ahead and anything before. right lane for anything after.

for stupid roundabouts , depending on traffic I will choose whichever lane is easiest for me to get off.

TheRiverman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121505576#Comment_121505576

A classic example of a roundabout with arrows indicating which lane to be in.There should be no problem for anyone driving through there, know where you're going and follow the arrows accordingly. Simply read the road. Unforunately it doesn't appear to be simple for the driver with the back wheel in the turn left lane and the driver of the far red.

Curse These Metal Hands

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121505434#Comment_121505434

The sign says its 12 o clock. You follow the sign.

bazz26

These roundabout threads always end up the same, they just go round in circles.

Jinglejangle69

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121506353#Comment_121506353

The sign is just showing what exit is for which place.

Its in no way an indication of what lane you should use.

TheRiverman

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121506867#Comment_121506867

Your second sentence is no way an indication that you understand the Rules Of The Road relating to Roundabouts.

standardg60

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121506867#Comment_121506867

That roundabout is crying out for lane markings tbh given it's layout, left lane for first exit and right for second, otherwise theoretically it should be left lane for both.

chooseusername

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121507452#Comment_121507452

This would do it;

tom1ie

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121505576#Comment_121505576

At least there’s arrows telling you what you should be doing.

Try the Walkinstown roundabout at 5pm off a Friday- that’s an experience.

GreeBo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121505434#Comment_121505434

According to the sign the exit is at 12 o'clock, so thats what you go by.

GreeBo

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121506867#Comment_121506867

No, the sign tells you if the exit is before or after 12.

i.e. how the designers of the roundabout want you to use it.

Example above is Walkinstown, by your logic there would be exits at 9, 12 and 3 o clock, which clearly there aren't.

Jinglejangle69

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/121506932#Comment_121506932

I understand them perfectly well.

Left lane for 1 and 2nd exit and right lane for anything after 12 o clock.

Unless there is markings on the road approaching the roundabout.