Roundabouts - their use and abuse (with videos!)

11-09-2014 01:37AM

TheChizler wrote: »

Like this one for instance (the entrance to the East is new). If you rigidly said that lane 1 was only for exiting at 12 o'clock or before, nobody could use lane 1, as the only exits were after 12 and therefore you could only use lane 2. But I fear we digress...

Would the left lane not be the entrance to whatever that building is, though, no?

I do see what you mean though.

Nino Brown · 11-09-2014 06:15AM

TheChizler wrote: »

Like this one for instance (the entrance to the East is new). If you rigidly said that lane 1 was only for exiting at 12 o'clock or before, nobody could use lane 1, as the only exits were after 12 and therefore you could only use lane 2. But I fear we digress...

In that case I would assume both lanes can be used, because there are 2 approach lanes and two exit lanes, both of which are marked with arrows to go straight. I know the exit is actually to the right, but there is no 12 o click exit, so either lane can be used to exit at 3 o clock.

Dacelonid · 11-09-2014 09:36AM

Deleted User wrote: »

It's fairly easy:
- The roundabout is a clock face
- You always enter from 6 o clock
- If your exit is between 6 and 12 (left or straight ahead) you use the left lane.
- If your exit is after 12, you use the right lane.
- Unless road markings / signs indicate otherwise

Just a slight addendum

CramCycle · 11-09-2014 11:26AM

cormie wrote: »

Ah that's the one. That should be pretty concrete if it's coming from the RSA.

LOL, if anything, coming from the RSA is the same as coming from some punter on the side of the street. It's someones interpretation of best practice and that same persons interpretation of the law. It might be right but having seen many a foolish statement in the ROTR over the years, concrete is not the word.

dashcamdanny · 11-09-2014 11:33AM

We seem to be going around and around in circles with the same argument.

wonski · 11-09-2014 11:38AM

dashcamdanny wrote: »

We seem to be going around and around in circles with the same argument.

We should create Roundabouts Megathread.

cormie · 11-09-2014 12:45PM

CramCycle wrote: »

LOL, if anything, coming from the RSA is the same as coming from some punter on the side of the street. It's someones interpretation of best practice and that same persons interpretation of the law. It might be right but having seen many a foolish statement in the ROTR over the years, concrete is not the word.

I Googled RSA before making my comment as I wasn't sure exactly what their position was and I saw it said it was a state agency which has taken on much of the work of the department of transport, so I thought it meant it was pretty concrete... until I saw Gay Byrne is the chairman and from what I know, he thinks as long as you go slow, you're a good driver :pac:

biko · 11-09-2014 08:36PM

Thread created from a plethora of RB posts from Dash Cam thread
Stuck for 3/4 days

dashcamdanny · 11-09-2014 10:05PM

So how do I use a roundabout?

Pawwed Rig · 11-09-2014 10:08PM

dashcamdanny wrote: »

So how do I use a roundabout?

Simples. Left lane if you are taking the first exit and right lane in ALL other situations.

wonski · 11-09-2014 10:09PM

Pawwed Rig wrote: »

Simples. Left lane if you are taking the first exit and right lane in ALL other situations.

Wrong:mad:

Try again:D

Xennon · 11-09-2014 10:14PM

So how do I use a roundabout?

Carefully.

dashcamdanny · 11-09-2014 10:25PM

The bargains in Lidl have made them drunk.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuxKtxzq2Cs

josip · 11-09-2014 10:39PM

dashcamdanny wrote: »

The bargains in Lidl have made them drunk.

Was that attempt at a roundabout painted on overnight by a few lads heading home from the pub?

wonski · 11-09-2014 10:40PM

dashcamdanny wrote: »

The bargains in Lidl have made them drunk.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xuxKtxzq2Cs

So, despite the claims the Irish drivers can't use roundabouts, there are other countries on it, too:rolleyes:

Can we just assume that all drivers are idiots, and drive accordingly?

cython · 12-09-2014 11:04PM

dashcamdanny wrote: »

So how do I use a roundabout?

By assuming that nobody else knows how to.

finnharpsboy · 13-09-2014 12:41PM

Dublin lord mayors car needs to have its indicators checked to see if theyre faulty :pac:

dashcamdanny · 13-09-2014 12:54PM

finnharpsboy wrote: »

Dublin lord mayors car needs to have its indicators checked to see if theyre faulty :pac:

Its looks like you freaked him out a bit after driving right up his arse. He drove all over the exit lane afterward. If he braked you would have crashed into him.

Personally. If someone is a bit confused or lost on a roundabout, I would hang back till they get their bearings and get out of my way.

CramCycle · 14-09-2014 12:19AM

cython wrote: »

By assuming that nobody else knows how to.

Same way you should use Irish roads then

Zubeneschamali · 15-09-2014 10:15AM

dashcamdanny wrote: »

So how do I use a roundabout?

If you completely ignore the RSA, youtube videos, driving instructors and the Rules of the Road booklets, and go back to the law, there is only one special law for roundabouts: you must go around them to the left.

All the other rules are just the same laws as for other junctions.

If you are turning left or going straight, stay in the left lane. If you are going right, stay right and indicate right.

The 12 o'clock rule is just a summary of this ordinary law: it tells you which exits on a roundabout count as left turns, straight on, or right turns.

The rule some people remember, about first exit, second exit, everything after is simply wrong. It does not correspond to anything in law.

So where did it come from? It came from the Rules of the Road booklet, which used a diagram of an ideal four way roundabout at a crossroads. The text describing how to use that particular roundabout said use the left lane for the first and second exits, and the right lane for later exits.

Somehow, instructors teaching the Rules took this up as a general rule for all roundabouts, and loads of people believe it to this day. It was never right, it never agreed with the law, and the Rules have been changed to remove that language.

dashcamdanny · 15-09-2014 10:58AM

Thought I would throw an oul cat among the pigeons

Zubeneschamali · 15-09-2014 11:09AM

The only way going straight from the right lane is correct is if the road markings/signage say so.

Here's a roundabout in Google Earth, and you can see all three lanes entering at left are allowed to go straight on. (streetview has different markings).

dashcamdanny · 15-09-2014 11:14AM

So why have a double lane for an exit?

I think that page of of an old highway code. An edition probably more drivers have studied the new rules of the road.

When I did my test 20 years ago, this was the picture I seen.

Zubeneschamali · 15-09-2014 11:22AM

dashcamdanny wrote: »

So why have a double lane for an exit?

In real life, there will be arrows on the road telling you what's legal.

Which you won't be able to see because there will be traffic on top of them.

Xennon · 15-09-2014 04:40PM

Which you won't be able to see because there will be traffic on top of them.

Dont forget the signs that block your view of traffic on the roundabout comming from your right, forcing you to use the force.

Zubeneschamali · 15-09-2014 05:08PM

Xennon wrote: »

Dont forget the signs that block your view of traffic on the roundabout comming from your right, forcing you to use the force.

"You don't need to see my identification!"

jprboy · 15-09-2014 11:05PM

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

In real life, there will be arrows on the road telling you what's legal.

Which you won't be able to see because there will be traffic on top of them.

Not always the case. Even if you could see them, not every roundabout has the helpful arrows

corktina · 16-09-2014 06:00PM

Zubeneschamali wrote: »

The only way going straight from the right lane is correct is if the road markings/signage say so.

).

Not true..you can go straight on from the right lane if there are two lanes at the exit...otherwise, as said, why have two lanes?

PeteK* · 16-09-2014 11:08PM

corktina wrote: »

Not true..you can go straight on from the right lane if there are two lanes at the exit...otherwise, as said, why have two lanes?

I agree with you however it could be seen for the ones going right around (say from 9 o' clock to 12 o' clock) without blocking or being blocked by traffic.

Carraig Fhearghais · 17-09-2014 03:40PM

a vid I took today, possibly tourists as car back window was full of bags etc. takes the 'racing line' & ignores road & sign markings at roundabout. (bad quality vid as I think my dashcam lens has been destroyed by sun & heat, time for a new one I think!)

Roundabouts - their use and abuse (with videos!)

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