Post by Mr Cholmondeley-Warner » Thu Nov 26, 2015 11:11 am
So you advise them in direct contradiction to the Highway Code advice then?
Highway code rule 186 wrote:
Rule 186
Signals and position. When taking the first exit to the left, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise
signal left and approach in the left-hand lane
keep to the left on the roundabout and continue signalling left to leave.
When taking an exit to the right or going full circle, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise
signal right and approach in the right-hand lane
keep to the right on the roundabout until you need to change lanes to exit the roundabout
signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want.
When taking any intermediate exit, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise
select the appropriate lane on approach to and on the roundabout
you should not normally need to signal on approach
stay in this lane until you need to alter course to exit the roundabout
signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want.
When there are more than three lanes at the entrance to a roundabout, use the most appropriate lane on approach and through it.
No wonder there's confusion! For some time I've been frustrated by the propensity of ADIs to teach this approach, since it not only contradicts the HC advice, but is totally meaningless and annoying to drivers who have read the Highway Code, and were taught according to its principles. It seems we now have two standards, the official one, and the independent one, and on the road, nobody knows which scheme a driver is using.
Perhaps you didn't notice that I was specifically referring to MINI ROUNDABOUTS, the kind that have sprung up in many urban locations where previously there may have been a cross road. The road space is often very limited and more so when a dolop of white paint is on the road at the intersection - which we are advised not to drive over in the HC.
I agree with your quotation from the highway code which I adhere to, in general, when negotiating "normal" roundabouts, those that were planned for when the road was constructed or in situations where the road has been modified to accommodate them, quite a different situation (toys back in the pram time
)
So far as signals are concerned, the AD ought to signal when any other road user will benefit from it. If no one will benefit, don't signal. However if the situation should change and a signal would benefit another road user, give the appropriate signal under the changed circumstances. DO NOT
automatically signal at every roundabout, turning etc. Do not travel alongside another vehicle on a roundabout, be either ahead or behind them remaining alert to the possibility of them entering your safety zones. Plan carefully when approaching your break-way point, including a shoulder glance of confirmation.
For those drivers who run straight over the white paint of a
mini roundabout, from entering at 6 and leaving at 12, in contravention of what the HC says are showing by their vehicle positioning that they are not turning at 9, albeit illegally by driving over the paint.
).