which lane?

[wendilla]

approaching a small roundabout come up to 2 lanes.one lane arrows for left turn.do you still keep in that lane to go straight on .or go in right lane then signal left and go straight on .can someone settle this please thanks I am sure I am right but wait to see replies thanks

[lethologica]

If it's a small roundabout with three other (than yours) exits, stay in the left lane and do not indicate until passing the first exit.

Also look out for road markings, there's a funny little roundabout at the end of the m3 with 3 exits (altogether) on the same 'half' of the roundabout, if you join the roundabout from the middle exit, the road markings dictate that you should use the left lane to turn right!!!

[wendilla]

thank you that is exactly what i did yesterday and my daughter said i should have been it right lane and i said that was how i was taught to drive and she said well that was 40 years ago.( well we had roundabouts then ) and it was just a small roundabout.thanks again

[Grunty]

If I read the question correctly, the left lane was marked for turning left. Therefore you should be in the other lane when going ahead. In the event of an accident, you could be held responsible if you are in the wrong lane. Otherwise why would anyone take the trouble to paint arrows on the road for your guidance?

[qapmoc]

I think the point of the question was - If the highway code says left hand lane to go straight on but the lane markings don't correspond then which should take precedence.
It would be nice if the highway code and the lane markers agreed on things like this but, I would have to say the lane markings take precedance just because they are there and you should follow any local road signs etc... just because if you come to court for something you can say ''not my fault - see the road markings at that point''

[Grunty]

This is what the Highway Code says

160: On approaching a roundabout take notice and act on all the information available to you, including traffic signs, traffic lights and lane markings which direct you into the correct lane.

[ursula62]

If the left lane had a two headed arrow, one pointing left and one pointing straight, then you can use it to go straight on. If it only has a left pointing arrow then that lane should only be used for taking the next exit from the roundabout. Same with junctions.

[wendilla]

ok thanks for this .I will try and explain a bit better. small roundabout not busy and not in built up area. when approaching roundabout you see 2 lanes and off the roundabout there is first left exit which has arrow then next is straight on then one more exit .to left.then you are back to where you started.for years now on that roundabout everybody signals left after the first left turn ..but there is not an arrow to say to follow for straight on. I shall take particular notice again on that road. i understand what you are saying in your replies as it is always quite clear on the larger roundabouts

[stanleyman]

If this is a single lane approach then why would you use the left marked lane where it widens out at the roundabout for straight on? This is there to allow traffic to turn and disperse more quickly and if you use the left marked lane to go straight on you run the risk of causing an accident by being overtaken by someone quite reasonably expecting you to turn left.

[wendilla]

YES I know you are right as on the larger roundabouts i would go in right lane to go straight on I have just gone to the supermarket and let 3 cars overtake me and each one that was going straight on went in left lane to go straight the car in front signelled left after the left turn.nothing would come from the right.I cant say anymore on this but I am going to find out. by the way this is the roundabout in question.and it is a small one.

[ianess]

The Highway Code offers good advice which basically means that you should act/react as if you were at a crossroads instead of a roundabout.
Unfortunately it then goes on to say to follow any alternative road markings, which is fine for locals but if you're a stranger in a queue of traffic or the road is covered with snow then you've got problems.
It would help if all local authorities were consistent and followed one set of rules.

[Jay70]

If the left hand lane is marked with an arrow it's for L/H turns ONLY. If it isn't then you can use it to go straight over or to do a L/H turn. If you want to go straight across on a roundabout marked with a l/h turn arrow you would get in the r/h lane and go straight over. You do not need to indicate as you are going straight over.

[Grunty]

Jay70 is perfectly correct. Unfortunately, as ianness implies, sometimes you can't see the arrows because they are under a queue of cars. The arrows must take precedence over the general advice because they are put there to meet local circumstances.

I know Mum knows best, but not always.

[Toureman]

This is local another council making up it's own rules without any regard to correct driving practices! perhaps it is put there to tell drivers if they want to turn left to get in the left hand lane!

The Highway code is quite specific on which lane to use depending on which exit you require.

Unless the left turn signal painted on the road is a mandatory left turn only lane, and this will be clearly marked, it is quite acceptable to go straight on but you will have to carefully watch out for other road users who just do not know what is happening around them.

[Grunty]

Toureman - I just hope I am somewhere else when you drive straight ahead from a lane marked with left arrows.

No fixed rules will fit all circumstances and that is why the highways authority has painted the arrows on the road. If the arrows are not there, the Highway Code gives general advice.