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Roundabout indicating

Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 1:38 pm
by devonutopia
On another forum I frequent, a user (I am assuming a non advanced driver) made an opening exclamation that the thought of not indicating (didn't say which way) when entering a roundabout intending to go straight on is "insane".

I hope everyone here agrees with me that surely the thought of doing this is insane in itself. If you intend to go straight on (lets assume a single lane entry & exit minor roundabout) you only indicate left once past the last exit you do not intend to take. This of course totally ignores the concept of anyone being around to make use of your signal - that's a different matter altogether. :) I am assuming traffic on the roundabout will find your signal useful.

I have seen plenty of people indicate right at small roundabouts and then go straight on, but I have put it down to poor tuition / poor technique.

Re: Roundabout indicating

Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 1:58 pm
by Gareth
Most drivers indicate left before the exit that's before the one they intend to take, because they are so thick they can only see things from their own point of view. After all, if they know what they mean why doesn't everyone else ...

Re: Roundabout indicating

Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 2:29 pm
by Silk
devonutopia wrote:On another forum I frequent, a user (I am assuming a non advanced driver) made an opening exclamation that the thought of not indicating (didn't say which way) when entering a roundabout intending to go straight on is "insane".

I hope everyone here agrees with me that surely the thought of doing this is insane in itself. If you intend to go straight on (lets assume a single lane entry & exit minor roundabout) you only indicate left once past the last exit you do not intend to take. This of course totally ignores the concept of anyone being around to make use of your signal - that's a different matter altogether. :) I am assuming traffic on the roundabout will find your signal useful.

I have seen plenty of people indicate right at small roundabouts and then go straight on, but I have put it down to poor tuition / poor technique.


I don't know why people have such a problem with this. There's no "formula" for indicating, it's just a way of communicating an intention to another road user to help things along a bit. If it makes no difference, don't do it. A good driver will always rely on secondary information before taking the word of a signal in any event. I would suggest that more problems occur due to an inappropriate signal (and someone else taking it on face value) than none at all - sometimes, keeping them guessing is the safest option. Of course, I could be completely wrong - in which case please feel free to ignore me.

Re: Roundabout indicating

Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 2:36 pm
by StressedDave
For once, and possibly the only time, I actually agree with you. Confusion is often your friend for paralysing another driver and stopping them interfering with your intentions.

Re: Roundabout indicating

Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 3:45 pm
by Mr Cholmondeley-Warner
Spot on, Jase. Signal where it would be of benefit to another road user, and that doesn't include signalling right or left when your intention is to do neither of those!

Re: Roundabout indicating

Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 7:16 pm
by Silk
StressedDave wrote:For once, and possibly the only time, I actually agree with you.


You said that the last time you agreed with me and possibly the time before that as well.

In fact, you agree with me so often, I've been able to cut down on my posts and simply wait for you to reply - it saves time. ;)

Re: Roundabout indicating

Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 8:03 pm
by StressedDave
0.003% is not often...

Re: Roundabout indicating

Posted: Wed Nov 25, 2015 9:34 pm
by Silk
StressedDave wrote:0.003% is not often...


I agree, it's not.

Re: Roundabout indicating

Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2015 12:18 am
by chriskay
StressedDave wrote: Confusion is often your friend for paralysing another driver and stopping them interfering with your intentions.


When I was driving a Dormobile for Shell in the City and West End in 1960, a seasoned London driver gave me this advice "Never catch the eye of a taxi driver: if you do, he knows you've seen him and he'll cut you up".

Re: Roundabout indicating

Posted: Thu Nov 26, 2015 9:50 am
by titian
Lets separate the dual carriageway roundabout from the mini roundabout, quite different situations.

Take the mini roundabout with 4 entry/exit points. By their very nature and usual location they are often difficult to navigate due to the available road space and to adhere to the highway code which says that you MUST not drive over the paint unless its impossible not to do so, (as a result of the size of your vehicle or the offset positioning of the white paint etc).

That means that driving straight ahead, entering at 6 and leaving at 12, would involve deviating to the left initially to avoid the white paint. A vehicle waiting to emerge from 9, your first exit, sees the inclination of your front wheels and assumes (wrongly) that you are taking the 9 exit and pops out ahead of you! To help prevent such mis-interpretation of your intentions in that situation I advise my associates to give a right indicator to "confirm" I AM NOT GOING LEFT". Safety being the number one consideration. For me, this usually does the job but, as always, be aware that they still may emerge in front of you so plan your progress with that in mind!