Nice symmetrical four exit roundabout - lets call the roads North, East, South and West.
You approach it from South Rd and plan to take North Way - what signals do you give (if any), where and why - or why not? - would you do differently in a car or on a motorcycle?
I’ll open with my standard approach - used throughout a twenty four year stint in Milton Keynes:
Approach in left lane - no signal until front of vehicle clears the West turn-off - then signal left for the turning to North - check the indicators have cancelled once clear of the junction.
DougR:
Approach in left lane - no signal until front of vehicle clears the West turn-off - then signal left for the turning to North - check the indicators have cancelled once clear of the junction.
In most circumstances this. Type of vehicle I’m in and/or road markings/signs might change the lane I use. If there are no other road users about then I wouldn’t bother with the indicator.
i would do the same But if the sign before the roundabout has a fat lane (the 1 im in) and the lane i want to exit is fat too i would use either lane as the FAT lanes show there is 2 lanes too use.
DougR:
Approach in left lane - no signal until front of vehicle clears the West turn-off - then signal left for the turning to North - check the indicators have cancelled once clear of the junction.
In most circumstances this. Type of vehicle I’m in and/or road markings/signs might change the lane I use. If there are no other road users about then I wouldn’t bother with the indicator.
+1
I’ve often had passengers comment about my lack of indicator use, I usually reply that I don’t need them as I know where I’m going but in reality I don’t use them if there’s nobody around to see them, that’s what they’re for, to indicate your intentions to other road users, if there are no other road users, what’s the point?
DougR:
Approach in left lane - no signal until front of vehicle clears the West turn-off - then signal left for the turning to North - check the indicators have cancelled once clear of the junction.
In most circumstances this. Type of vehicle I’m in and/or road markings/signs might change the lane I use. If there are no other road users about then I wouldn’t bother with the indicator.
+1
I’ve often had passengers comment about my lack of indicator use, I usually reply that I don’t need them as I know where I’m going but in reality I don’t use them if there’s nobody around to see them, that’s what they’re for, to indicate your intentions to other road users, if there are no other road users, what’s the point?
Indicators are there to indicate (suprise) your intentions to other people - whether you see them or not…
This could include a cyclist / motorcyclist, pedestrian etc…
I always indicate, it’s more important for the person I may not have seen rather than the person I can see / know where they are etc.
DougR:
Approach in left lane - no signal until front of vehicle clears the West turn-off - then signal left for the turning to North - check the indicators have cancelled once clear of the junction.
In most circumstances this. Type of vehicle I’m in and/or road markings/signs might change the lane I use. If there are no other road users about then I wouldn’t bother with the indicator.
+1
I’ve often had passengers comment about my lack of indicator use, I usually reply that I don’t need them as I know where I’m going but in reality I don’t use them if there’s nobody around to see them, that’s what they’re for, to indicate your intentions to other road users, if there are no other road users, what’s the point?
Indicators are there to indicate (suprise) your intentions to other people - whether you see them or not…
This could include a cyclist / motorcyclist, pedestrian etc…
I always indicate, it’s more important for the person I may not have seen rather than the person I can see / know where they are etc.
Isn’t that what I said, I only indicate when there are other people about, I know to look for bikes and such, if I don’t see them there’s a reason…they aren’t there
DougR:
Approach in left lane - no signal until front of vehicle clears the West turn-off - then signal left for the turning to North - check the indicators have cancelled once clear of the junction.
In most circumstances this. Type of vehicle I’m in and/or road markings/signs might change the lane I use. If there are no other road users about then I wouldn’t bother with the indicator.
+1
I’ve often had passengers comment about my lack of indicator use, I usually reply that I don’t need them as I know where I’m going but in reality I don’t use them if there’s nobody around to see them, that’s what they’re for, to indicate your intentions to other road users, if there are no other road users, what’s the point?
Indicators are there to indicate (suprise) your intentions to other people - whether you see them or not…
This could include a cyclist / motorcyclist, pedestrian etc…
I always indicate, it’s more important for the person I may not have seen rather than the person I can see / know where they are etc.
Isn’t that what I said, I only indicate when there are other people about, I know to look for bikes and such, if I don’t see them there’s a reason…they aren’t there
Clearly then, you being so perfect and all, you’ve never been passed or done a manouver and gone “where did that come from”■■?
Unfortunately, for the rest of us mere mortals, it’s happened and the fact that it’s happened, means I always indicate.
DougR:
Approach in left lane - no signal until front of vehicle clears the West turn-off - then signal left for the turning to North - check the indicators have cancelled once clear of the junction.
In most circumstances this. Type of vehicle I’m in and/or road markings/signs might change the lane I use. If there are no other road users about then I wouldn’t bother with the indicator.
+1
I’ve often had passengers comment about my lack of indicator use, I usually reply that I don’t need them as I know where I’m going but in reality I don’t use them if there’s nobody around to see them, that’s what they’re for, to indicate your intentions to other road users, if there are no other road users, what’s the point?
Indicators are there to indicate (suprise) your intentions to other people - whether you see them or not…
This could include a cyclist / motorcyclist, pedestrian etc…
I always indicate, it’s more important for the person I may not have seen rather than the person I can see / know where they are etc.
Isn’t that what I said, I only indicate when there are other people about, I know to look for bikes and such, if I don’t see them there’s a reason…they aren’t there
Clearly then, you being so perfect and all, you’ve never been passed or done a manouver and gone “where did that come from”■■?
Unfortunately, for the rest of us mere mortals, it’s happened and the fact that it’s happened, means I always indicate.
Well I must be perfect, because you’re dead right mate, I have these special tools that I use, they’re called EYES, the world around me is magically transfered to my brain, if somebody is in my close proximity I can ‘see’ them, it’s all clever stuff, I always use this gift when making any kind of manouvere, so no I’ve never said ‘where did that come from’ because I always LOOK, so please do not confuse your own incompetence and lack of attention whilst driving with the way I do things, there’s obviously a big difference between us
DougR:
Approach in left lane - no signal until front of vehicle clears the West turn-off - then signal left for the turning to North - check the indicators have cancelled once clear of the junction.
In most circumstances this. Type of vehicle I’m in and/or road markings/signs might change the lane I use. If there are no other road users about then I wouldn’t bother with the indicator.
This ^
And same closing comment as well. I don’t bother indicating if I’m the only person on the road or the other vehicles aren’t close enough to care.
DougR:
Approach in left lane - no signal until front of vehicle clears the West turn-off - then signal left for the turning to North - check the indicators have cancelled once clear of the junction.
In most circumstances this. Type of vehicle I’m in and/or road markings/signs might change the lane I use. If there are no other road users about then I wouldn’t bother with the indicator.
+1
I’ve often had passengers comment about my lack of indicator use, I usually reply that I don’t need them as I know where I’m going but in reality I don’t use them if there’s nobody around to see them, that’s what they’re for, to indicate your intentions to other road users, if there are no other road users, what’s the point?
Indicators are there to indicate (suprise) your intentions to other people - whether you see them or not…
This could include a cyclist / motorcyclist, pedestrian etc…
I always indicate, it’s more important for the person I may not have seen rather than the person I can see / know where they are etc.
Isn’t that what I said, I only indicate when there are other people about, I know to look for bikes and such, if I don’t see them there’s a reason…they aren’t there
Clearly then, you being so perfect and all, you’ve never been passed or done a manouver and gone “where did that come from”■■?
Unfortunately, for the rest of us mere mortals, it’s happened and the fact that it’s happened, means I always indicate.
Well I must be perfect, because you’re dead right mate, I have these special tools that I use, they’re called EYES, the world around me is magically transfered to my brain, if somebody is in my close proximity I can ‘see’ them, it’s all clever stuff, I always use this gift when making any kind of manouvere, so no I’ve never said ‘where did that come from’ because I always LOOK, so please do not confuse your own incompetence and lack of attention whilst driving with the way I do things, there’s obviously a big difference between us
I would do the same as you, Doug, if the signal would be of benefit to others.
I don’t signal unless it would benefit someone, so if there’s no one else about, and you should know whether that’s the case if you’re being observant, I wouldn’t indicate. I would also ‘straighten’ the roundabout out, taking the shortest route if there is no one else on it.
It wouldn’t make any difference if I was on a motorbike, in a car or a truck, other than the size of the vehicle may dictate the line I take, so in an artic I’d obviously be making allowance for the line the trailer would take.
Although not signalling if there’s no one to benefit is perfectly acceptable, in my view, not signalling, especially on roundabouts, when it would benefit someone is one of my pet hates. Roundabout are great at keeping traffic flowing freely, provided everyone signals when necessary.
Indicators what are they is that the stalk I use for hanging my bag on
Kevy:
I would do the same as you, Doug, if the signal would be of benefit to others.
I don’t signal unless it would benefit someone, so if there’s no one else about, and you should know whether that’s the case if you’re being observant, I wouldn’t indicate. I would also ‘straighten’ the roundabout out, taking the shortest route if there is no one else on it.
It wouldn’t make any difference if I was on a motorbike, in a car or a truck, other than the size of the vehicle may dictate the line I take, so in an artic I’d obviously be making allowance for the line the trailer would take.
Although not signalling if there’s no one to benefit is perfectly acceptable, in my view, not signalling, especially on roundabouts, when it would benefit someone is one of my pet hates. Roundabout are great at keeping traffic flowing freely, provided everyone signals when necessary.
+1 same as at a junction I tend to indicate to let other road users know what my intentions are
I passed the Institute of Advanced Motorist test several years ago,was told dont indicate when no one there.This attitude shows your examiner that you have completed and heeded your all round visibility checks.I would recommend the I.A.M. to the younger members as a way to get your insurance premiums reduced.
alamcculloch:
I passed the Institute of Advanced Motorist test several years ago,was told dont indicate when no one there.This attitude shows your examiner that you have completed and heeded your all round visibility checks.I would recommend the I.A.M. to the younger members as a way to get your insurance premiums reduced.
I did the IAM HGV test myself as an exercise for TRUCK mag, it was in a cost saving issue we did, as you rightly say it can reduce your insurance premiums, we were a bit cynical about the IAM test, so I blagged a unit and trailer from Volvo and met up with one of their blokes and we had a drive around, I wasn’t actually there to take the test, more to find out what was involved, but the best way was to do it, so I did and I got myself a certificate and a little sticker for my window
I also take the shortest, straightest route through a roundabout/series of bends, it’s by far the safest way to do things, as long as there are no other road users around of course
Alcpone:
If all road users used indicators at round abouts/junctions it would make life a whole lot easier, its just plain lazy/selfish not to.
It’s just plain stupid to if there are no other road users there
Your not just signalling for vehicles though mate, but I know what you mean. Its the dimwits that dont do it when it would let us know we could get out safely.
Alcpone:
If all road users used indicators at round abouts/junctions it would make life a whole lot easier, its just plain lazy/selfish not to.
It’s just plain stupid to if there are no other road users there
Your not just signalling for vehicles though mate, but I know what you mean. Its the dimwits that dont do it when it would let us know we could get out safely.
I didn’t say vehicles did I?
I said road users which includes everyone who might be using the roads including pedestrians and if there are no road users about who would benefit from a signal then there is no point in giving one and it’s nothing to do with lazy or selfish.
Alcpone:
If all road users used indicators at round abouts/junctions it would make life a whole lot easier, its just plain lazy/selfish not to.
It’s just plain stupid to if there are no other road users there
Your not just signalling for vehicles though mate, but I know what you mean. Its the dimwits that dont do it when it would let us know we could get out safely.
I didn’t say vehicles did I?
I said road users which includes everyone who might be using the roads including pedestrians and if there are no road users about who would benefit from a signal then there is no point in giving one and it’s nothing to do with lazy or selfish.
Im talking about when there is someone that is looking for a signal that will let them know if its safe to go or not, thats a gimp thats lazy/selfish in my eyes.
but in reality I don’t use them if there’s nobody around to see them, that’s what they’re for, to indicate your intentions to other road users, if there are no other road users, what’s the point?
is that the stalk I use for hanging my bag on 
