Dual Carriageway Roundabouts

[Chriss]

Hi,

I have a few questions, relating to what is seem as right and wrong.

Is it seen as acceptable to use lane 1 of 3 lanes to take the 4th exit off a roundabout?

Is it just as wrong to use lane 3 to take the 3rd exit off a roundabout?

Roundabout in question below, including streetview. Travelling north east on the A1:
https://img199.imageshack.us/img199/6383/a1roundabout.png

https://img810.imageshack.us/img810/5506/a1streetview.png

Thanks for thoughts.
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TheShaggyDA: I've got 3 or 4 pairs that predate my wife, so at least 11.5 years old.

[P.addy]

As in the far left lane....all the way round the roundabout?

...


If so, I wouldnt try it...thats what the furthest right hand lane is for

I would also use the 3rd lane for 3rd exit... highway code book thing would probably agree...

[Chriss]

[P.addy]

[chillyman0]

I use Middle lane for straight over on that roundabout, you could also use the left but I wouldnt use the 3rd as you would probably end up cutting someone up

As for the left lane to go all the way round, if someone did that and cut me up their rear wing would get a hefty boot!
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[Chalky.]

I would say

Left turn - Lane 1
Straight on - Lane 1 and 2
Right - Lane 2 and 3

[T.C]

[Chriss]

Thanks for the input all, with an authority like T.C. agreeing with you all, I feel that's well and truly answered.

Personally, I was using:

Lane 1 for 1st and 2nd exit
Lane 2 for 3rd exit only (straight a head)
Lane 3 for 3rd and 4th exit

Here is why I asked. Looks like I cut up the funny little white car in the video but at the time it was clearly going straight ahead, which it did, hence I over took it.

Learn from mistake kids!
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TheShaggyDA: I've got 3 or 4 pairs that predate my wife, so at least 11.5 years old.

[UnknownStuntm...]

Bicycles can use lane one to go round as far as they like - worth remembering if there's one about - I've seen it look like they're coming off at an exit then continue... And the Highway Code agrees with this behaviour.

[pinkyfloyd]

[Deaks]

That fiesta driver was being a knob. Theres no way you should be using lane 1 for turning right.

I have to survive something similar on my way to work and will regualarly see people using lane 1 for turning right, even though the lanes are actually labelled.

I react the same way as well, if I dont end up hitting them, look directly at them a couple of times then shake my head in a 'I'm not angry, I'm just disappointed ' way.
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[l0p0l]

I totally agree with Chalky ! Living in Milton Keynes I am fairly use to three lane dual carriageway roundabout approaches.

Just make sure if you are going straight on or right, you check that left shoulder after the 1st exit. Many folks especially the older generation tend to either go straight on using lane 1, or worse will carry on right around the roundabout.
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[P.addy]

[Peirre oBollox]

Slightly off topic
If the vehicle was an HGV, the rules for lane discipline are slightly different. IF lanes 1 & 2 where both marked with White arrows as right turn lanes & the exit point for both lanes where the same. Then technically an HGV is supposed to use the lefthand one of the 2 lanes, As certain rules of the highway code such as lane discipline, & speed limits for trucks are different to other types on the road.
which is probably why you end up cursing truck drivers for driving past the exit you though they should have taken
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[Killer Rat]

[The Tot]

Ahh that old chesnut!

It's a dodgy roundabout because the lights only operate at peak time, and because it's on a national speed limit, you get guys who just straightline the roundabout and keep their feet planted!

But in that case, I keep left if I want to go to Elstree/Bushey (lane 1). Keep in the middle lane if I'm heading up to Hatfield (Lane 2) and if I need to up to Barnet, it's Lane 3. And i stick to that. You're in the borderline zone where driving standards are shocking, i.e. the moment you breach the M25, expect people to drive like idiots, and because it's NW London, prime culprits are asian women! They don't look. And if they see a bike coming on the roundabout, they're like deer in headlights, despite the fact it's priority to traffic on the roundabout! I've seen many near misses on that stretch. It also doesn't help that the roundabout is cambered with trees in the middle of it!

I move into lane 2 on the exit before the one you're going to take. On a bike, I'd like to have the safety of not being sideswiped by a car whose not seen me! Unless its the immediate exit, I never position myself left in case inattentive drivers are joining. Also beware that on the barnet exit, you have that shell garage, so cars pulling in and pulling out. Leaving that space = safety and visibility (unless like me you exit the roundabout >40mph!)

If I want to avoid that roundabout, I get off at Apex corner and head for the totteridge exit through the back of Mill Hill County High
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The Tot 2019 Z1000SX - 2007 R1
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[bikertomm]

[Skudd]

[Moo.]

Jesus! That black fiesta was in the wrong! But it looks like they had no clue where they were going and just switched last minute.
Ive always been told, if the turning you want to take is past the 12 o clock position from where you enter the roundabout, use the inside lane (lane 2/3 in this case) But i'd say use lane 3 for going all the way around or 2nd to last exit, something like that..
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A2 Passed 18/6/10

[Jim Mc]

As far as I'm aware because there are no specific markings on the lanes, you may use any lane for any exit.

Although common sense dictates you would not do this.

[D O G]

If it was light traffic, I'd be using all three!

[cagiva gezzer]

I use that roundabout heading out of London a couple of times a week (however I mainly take Tot's Mill Hill route). I'm always in lane three going straight ahead. You also have to take into account how many lanes are coming off.

In this case there's three on, three off, with enough space all the way around the roundabout.

Thinking about it, there are a lot of people in lane two going right, going north or south. . . .
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[Chriss]