Do you know your highway code

Unread post by **Stephen** » 08 Aug 2016, 07:59

An easy enough question to answer for anyone with half a brain cell, but difficult for some to put into practice, as I can confirm from the occasions when I have been cut up by idiot motorists who don't know the rules of the road.

Q. You are approaching a roundabout which goes from a single lane into two. Which lane should you be in to proceed straight ahead?

Unread post by **barney** » 08 Aug 2016, 08:04

Either ----- I drive a Mercedes

Unread post by **oldbluefox** » 08 Aug 2016, 08:33

Which is fine but watch out when you are leaving the roundabout for the occasional clown who takes the inside lane and then decides they are going to go all the way around the outside of the roundabout to turn right.
It's also amazing how many cars have indicators which don't work especially when you come up to a roundabout, stop to give way to other traffic entering the roundabout only for them to turn off to the left.

Unread post by **Peter D** » 08 Aug 2016, 08:34

It does depend on what is the other side of the roundabout.

So, if two lanes then a single lane the other side, left to go left and straight on, right to go right.

If two lanes into two lanes, left for left and straight on and right to turn right and straight on.

Unread post by **Mervyn and Trish** » 08 Aug 2016, 08:37

I'd normally opt for the left lane. Then you get close to the roundabout and find it's marked left turn only

Unread post by **oldbluefox** » 08 Aug 2016, 08:50

Mervyn and Trish wrote:
I'd normally opt for the left lane. Then you get close to the roundabout and find it's marked left turn only

Unread post by **kaymar** » 08 Aug 2016, 09:25

There's no easy or right answer, Stephen. It depends, amongst other things, on what is in front of you, how many roads go off the roundabout and what signage, if any, is painted on the road. And anyway, like Barney, I drive a Mercedes

Unread post by **Frank Manning** » 08 Aug 2016, 09:38

Like Mervyn, for me, it is the LH lane for the first exit, but the RH lane if I am taking any subsequent exits. In that case use your nearside mirror, to check that it is safe to move over for your intended exit.

You don't signal if there is no other traffic. I was told off by a Class 1 police driver for signalling unnecessarily

You don't signal left until you have passed the exit before the one you want, and you signal that one not just for the people coming behind, but for those joining from the entrances in front of you.

The discussions (arguments) I endured, while preparing for the IAMs driving test were endless. - I am a Mercedes driver. (If I were a BMW driver I would take the roundabout at +50mph with no signals, no braking, no gear changes, and as straight a course as possible)

Unread post by **Frank Manning** » 08 Aug 2016, 09:39

Peter D wrote:
It does depend on what is the other side of the roundabout.

So, if two lanes then a single lane the other side, left to go left and straight on, right to go right.

If two lanes into two lanes, left for left and straight on and right to turn right and straight on.

Unread post by **CaroleF** » 08 Aug 2016, 10:23

I remember having the question about lanes and signalling when approaching a roundabout on my driving test - back in 1970. I said the same as Frank - you signal left when you have passed the exit before the one you want. The Examiner said "You mean the penultimate exit?" I agreed. He said, "We don't use that word in the Highway Code because women wouldn't understand it!" Just think how much money I could have sued him for today! In fact the whole test was a farce - sorry Foxy if this is going off the subject. A friend had told me to make sure the examiner could see that I was looking in the mirror by turning my head - I did this and was immediately told to stop - "Looking at women's eyes is one of the perks of this job!" Then he started commenting on the legs of every woman we passed. The final thing was that just before we arrived back at the test centre he made me pull up outside a fish and chip shop and he went in and got his lunch!
When we arrived back at the centre and he asked the various questions - including the one above - and then told me I'd passed. I thanked him and he replied, "Don't thank me the standard is very low!"
When I got out of the car and went back to my instructor he immediately said, "Oh dear, when I saw which Examiner you had I was worried" He asked if I wanted to drive back and by that point I was practically shaking! What an experience.

Carole

Unread post by **screwy** » 08 Aug 2016, 10:29

barney wrote:
Either ----- I drive a Mercedes

Me too..

Unread post by **Stephen** » 08 Aug 2016, 10:45

Sorry, I disagree regarding how many lanes are on the other side of the roundabout.

I was taught many moons ago that the left hand lane is for turning left and going straight ahead. The right hand lane is for turning right or going back on yourself unless road markings or signage indicate otherwise. It's not rocket science!

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway ... 159-to-203

As for Merc and BMW drivers, all I can say is, no wonder the standard of driving in this country is appalling.

Unread post by **Frank Manning** » 08 Aug 2016, 10:48

CaroleF wrote:
I remember having the question about lanes and signalling when approaching a roundabout on my driving test - back in 1970. I said the same as Frank - you signal left when you have passed the exit before the one you want. The Examiner said "You mean the penultimate exit?" I agreed. He said, "We don't use that word in the Highway Code because women wouldn't understand it!" Just think how much money I could have sued him for today! In fact the whole test was a farce - sorry Foxy if this is going off the subject. A friend had told me to make sure the examiner could see that I was looking in the mirror by turning my head - I did this and was immediately told to stop - "Looking at women's eyes is one of the perks of this job!" Then he started commenting on the legs of every woman we passed. The final thing was that just before we arrived back at the test centre he made me pull up outside a fish and chip shop and he went in and got his lunch!
When we arrived back at the centre and he asked the various questions - including the one above - and then told me I'd passed. I thanked him and he replied, "Don't thank me the standard is very low!"
When I got out of the car and went back to my instructor he immediately said, "Oh dear, when I saw which Examiner you had I was worried" He asked if I wanted to drive back and by that point I was practically shaking! What an experience.

Carole

"Penultiate!" What a twerp, you could definitely have reported him for his behaviour these days, and serve the blighter right.

Unread post by **david63** » 08 Aug 2016, 11:07

In my experience these days it matters not one jot how many lanes, exits or signage there is at a roundabout - half the idiots motorists drive as if there is only one lane on any roundabout and they are the only motorists idiots on the road!

Unread post by **Stephen** » 08 Aug 2016, 11:12

david63 wrote:
In my experience these days it matters not one jot how many lanes, exits or signage there is at a roundabout - half the idiots motorists drive as if there is only one lane on any roundabout and they are the only motorists idiots on the road!

Couldn't agree more David.

Unread post by **barney** » 08 Aug 2016, 11:15

"As for Merc and BMW drivers, all I can say is, no wonder the standard of driving in this country is appalling"

Oh! I was just as bad when I had a Ford!!
I had a Jaguar before this one and was equally bad.

I worked for Royal Mail for a few years and quickly learnt that indicators are an option

Mrs Barney is often appalled at my driving, particularly when I drive her little MX5.

I've never had an accident but have seen many in my rear view mirror.

Unread post by **RB1961** » 08 Aug 2016, 11:47

The middle one...I drive a white van!!!

RB

Unread post by **Manoverboard** » 08 Aug 2016, 11:52

The outer lane should only be used for the final exit albeit whilst noting any arrows which are painted on the road ... the final word of course rests with one's talking Satnav.

Unread post by **Meg 50** » 08 Aug 2016, 14:50

Frank Manning wrote:
Like Mervyn, for me, it is the LH lane for the first exit, but the RH lane if I am taking any subsequent exits. In that case use your nearside mirror, to check that it is safe to move over for your intended exit.

You don't signal if there is no other traffic. I was told off by a Class 1 police driver for signalling unnecessarily

.............

I'm a professional pedestrian - and get extremely cross with motorists who don't bother to indicate..........
so just cos there's no traffic doesn't mean there's no one who isn't a mind reader needs to know

Unread post by **Mervyn and Trish** » 08 Aug 2016, 17:49

I too passed the IAM test and the guidance is you don't signal if there is no one to benefit, but that of course does include pedestrians. To signal when there is no one to see it indicates your observation is poor.

Unread post by **Frank Manning** » 09 Aug 2016, 22:40

I think IAMs members are with you though Meg. We would observe you waiting and signal. They teach us to observe pedestrians, and anticipate their actions.

I enjoy IAMs. It has sharpened up my attitude to driving no end..

Unread post by **Stephen** » 10 Aug 2016, 07:22

Frank Manning wrote:
I think IAMs members are with you though Meg. We would observe you waiting and signal. They teach us to observe pedestrians, and anticipate their actions.

I enjoy IAMs. It has sharpened up my attitude to driving no end..

Our cat enjoys them as well. He takes his test next week

Unread post by **Raybosailor** » 10 Aug 2016, 08:10

Stephen wrote:
Frank Manning wrote:
I think IAMs members are with you though Meg. We would observe you waiting and signal. They teach us to observe pedestrians, and anticipate their actions.

I enjoy IAMs. It has sharpened up my attitude to driving no end..

Our cat enjoys them as well. He takes his test next week

Unread post by **Mervyn and Trish** » 11 Aug 2016, 22:11

8 out of 10 prefer Whiskas. Just saying........

Unread post by **Stephen** » 12 Aug 2016, 07:51

He has them as well.

Cruise Community Forum

Do you know your highway code

Do you know your highway code

Re: Do you know your highway code

Re: Do you know your highway code

Re: Do you know your highway code

Re: Do you know your highway code

Re: Do you know your highway code

Re: Do you know your highway code

Re: Do you know your highway code

Re: Do you know your highway code

Re: Do you know your highway code

Re: Do you know your highway code

Re: Do you know your highway code

Re: Do you know your highway code

Re: Do you know your highway code

Re: Do you know your highway code

Re: Do you know your highway code

Re: Do you know your highway code

Re: Do you know your highway code

Re: Do you know your highway code

Re: Do you know your highway code

Re: Do you know your highway code

Re: Do you know your highway code

Re: Do you know your highway code

Re: Do you know your highway code

Re: Do you know your highway code

Board Disclaimer