There’s a roundabout I use semi-regularly which I feel has ambiguous lanes.

The roundabout is the junction between the A38 and the A610 in Ripley, Derbyshire, UK.

There’s no signs or roadmarkings which tell you which lane to use, so which would you use when travelling in the A610 Ambergate direction from the A610 Ripley?

This is the roundabout in question, with the entry and exit marked: Roundabout overview

Here’s the entry, with the lanes in question marked: Entry lanes

Between the entry and exits in question on this roundabout, there are two other exits - a minor B6441 to Ripley, and the A38 to Derby.

There’s an added complication that the left lane on the roundabout is for the A610 only: A610 only

If I use the left lane, I frequently have people overtake in the right lane, then cut in to the left to exit. To me, it feels more natural to take the left lane and follow it round to exit in the correct lane.

This diagram possibly explains what I mean a bit clearer: Lane diagram

I’ve had disagreements with people over this - some say use the right lane as you’re going past two other exits and the exit is “to the right of the entry”. Some say they use the left lane as it feels more natural, which I agree with.

I have understood roundabout lane discipline to be as follows:

Left lane for turning left and straight on, right for turning right only, unless signposted or marked otherwise. This entry/exit combination to me seems like a “straight-on” situation, hence why I’d choose to use the left lane.

So I put it to you, what lane would you choose and why?

EDIT: I wasn’t clear when asking, I apologise. I’m asking which lane on approach to the roundabout - not which lane on the roundabout.

  • drekly@lemmy.worldEnglish
    51·
    1 year ago

    I have this issue on a roundabout local to me. Maybe I’ll post a similar thing!

    Unless clearly marked where you should be, I personally feel you should be in the right hand lane unless your turning is next.

    That way, it’s easy for the people on that entry to judge whether the lane is clear for them to pull out, because the only people in the closest lane are turning off before them.

    On my local roundabout there are only three exits (and the one you’re coming from, so four total) if you enter from the south and need to take the west, you should be in the left lane. Easy.

    But if you need to go south to north? I go in the right, but it seems like everyone else goes left, and I hate it! Especially if I’m entering from the west, I have no idea if someone’s turning off or carrying on, it makes entering from that direction a nightmare.