Going through a two-lane roundabout. L or R lane?

[Oakie]

My scenario is a roundabout with an inner and an outer lane. The inner (right) lane markings show that you can either go straight through the roundabout or veer right. The outer (left) lane markings show that you can either go straight through the roundabout or turn left.

Assuming you are going to go straight through the roundabout, which of the two lanes available do you use (given that you can legally use either). I tend to use the inside (right) lane because it straightens the route quite nicely and gives me a little better view of anything approaching from my left. I am aware though that some motorists approaching from my left may see me in the inside lane and assume I am going to veer right and so continue into the roundabout ... and into my path. So. Left lane, Right lane or don't care? And why?

[Slyer]

All other variables equal, I'd choose the inside lane, means that the traffic to my left have a free left turn.

[slofox]

I go through such a roundabout not far from my home. I usually use the right (inside) lane...because I can fang it harder in that lane than in the outer lane...

[been_there]

The least amount of traffic suits me

[PirateJafa]

I just ride over the roundabout.

Fuck the establishment.

A bit of mud never hurt anyone.

[Supertwin Don]

As far as can remember, the rule is the same in NZ as in UK - KEEP LEFT - any right hand lane is a "passing" lane, so you should only be in the right hand lane if you are passing something i.e. left turner.
Also, unless it is marked otherwise, someone in the left lane has the right to go ALL the way around the roundabout. Makes for interesting viewing sometimes:bleh:

[slofox]

As far as can remember, the rule is the same in NZ as in UK - KEEP LEFT - any right hand lane is a "passing" lane, so you should only be in the right hand lane if you are passing something i.e. left turner.
Also, unless it is marked otherwise, someone in the left lane has the right to go ALL the way around the roundabout. Makes for interesting viewing sometimes:bleh:

I would debate that point actually...NZ roundabouts are supposed to use the "Alberta" system. If you can be bothered trawling through ten gazillion words, have a look at THIS (http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/roads/multi-lane-roundabouts.html)

[steve_t]

Someone will flame me if I'm wrong but I'm sure I read somewhere that you're not supposed to use a two laned roundabout to overtake a vehicle... that said, I regularly find that I do as the person in front of me will slow or stop instead of scanning ahead early to look for traffic.
The poll should include "If there's no traffic, start in the left hand lane, cut across to the right lane midway thru and exit via the left lane" so that the bike basically travels in a straight line :spanking: Don't pretend that you've never done it :bleh:

[BiK3RChiK]

I usually use the right (inside) lane, whether I'm in the car or the on the bike. If you are near Whakatane though, watch for morons who cross over the lanes to straighten up the roundabout! I was in my 4x4 the other day when a woman in another 4x4 thought she'd do that and I was very lucky she didn't re-arrange my passengers door. I don't think she'll do that again in a hurry.:eek: She got a good blast from my horn!

[Max Preload]

Right lane because it leaves more room for me to react to people who don't give way when they should.

BTW, the right lane is the outside lane, not the inside.


Also, unless it is marked otherwise, someone in the left lane has the right to go ALL the way around the roundabout. Makes for interesting viewing sometimes:bleh:

I bet it does when you're driving, because you're wrong. See Land Transport (Road User) Rule 2004 (SR 2004/427) Section 4.6, Clause (4) (http://www.legislation.govt.nz/regulation/public/2004/0427/latest/DLM303080.html).

[Supertwin Don]

My main point is "unless marked otherwise" - if it is marked you should follow the markings.
BUT - unless you are passing something, you should not be in the right hand lane anyway!

[steve_t]

As far as can remember, the rule is the same in NZ as in UK - KEEP LEFT - any right hand lane is a "passing" lane, so you should only be in the right hand lane if you are passing something i.e. left turner.
Also, unless it is marked otherwise, someone in the left lane has the right to go ALL the way around the roundabout. Makes for interesting viewing sometimes:bleh:

Are you sure? I guess it's lucky we have the arrow markings in most places. The person in the left lane trying to turn right might get a punch in the face from the person in the right lane that is going straight after an idiotic collision

[sunhuntin]

only ones like that that spring to mind are down welly way. since i tend to ride in the left lane, ill say left. only time i use the right is when i was already in that lane.

i remember going down there in susans car. the return trip: she started in the left lane, drifted to the right, and then back to the left. all without indication. needless to say i gave her an earful, asking her what if there was a motorbike there, and she hit them? the fact we know a couple of welly riders drove the point home.
strangely enough, the next time we went, she stayed in the same lane the whole way around the RAB.

[Supertwin Don]

Are you sure? I guess it's lucky we have the arrow markings in most places. The person in the left lane trying to turn right might get a punch in the face from the person in the right lane that is going straight after an idiotic collision

NZ has it lucky - in most cases, there is enough land to have two (or more) full width lanes in the roundabout, over here, quite often there is not, and "centre" markings are not allowed unless there is room for two full lane widths.
So we quite often get "left laners" going right around the roundabout. or left turners hugging the centre of the roundabout until the very last second before signalling and swinging out:angry2:

[YellowDog]

If the markings show a straight arrow for either lane (which they do) then you can choose.

However the correct lane according to the highway code is the laft lane.

Personally I would always prefer the right lane.

[DEATH_INC.]

Two lane roundabouts are fucken stupid. They should only ever be one lane. There are so many accidents on them it's not funny.
A good example of the stupidity of them is the one by work. From the direction I come there is two lanes, r/h going straight through and right, and left going straight through and left or next left, but the big headache is that the next on from mine also has two lanes, left going left, straight and right, and right going right....prolly a bit hard to figure, but I'm in the r/h lane so I can go right, but to get there I have to slice across the traffic from the next on that are going right round to their right....fucken dumb.....:clap:

[Swoop]

As far as can remember, the rule is the same in NZ as in UK - KEEP LEFT
Unfortunately, the normal, retarded, inbred, fuckwit, kiwi moron who has a cornflakes drivers' licence here, has NO concept of what "KEEP LEFT" means...

NZ has it lucky - in most cases, there is enough land to have two (or more) full width lanes in the roundabout
BAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!
Although we "have the land" the authorities have invented the world's smallest roundabouts.
Stupidity has manifested itself here. In the UK the roundabout has possibly twice the diameter of the roads entering it. Here it is about 0.25 Dia.

[Oakie]

you're not supposed to use a two laned roundabout to overtake a vehicle... that said, I regularly find that I do as the person in front of me will slow or stop instead of scanning ahead early to look for traffic. I like using the right lane because it makes it easy to pass a vehicle or two in a roundabout just because they have to travel many metres further in the outside lane. I would do it every day on the commute.


The poll should include "If there's no traffic, start in the left hand lane, cut across to the right lane midway thru and exit via the left lane" so that the bike basically travels in a straight line :spanking: Don't pretend that you've never done it :bleh: I'd never seen anyone do that until last Sunday when guy in a station-wagon did that crossing infront of us at about 70kph. Dickhead! Looked hellishly dangerous...although that was probably more to do with the speed rather than the manouvre.

[steve_t]

Hamiltron also has a number of roundabouts in town that have 2 lanes entering and exiting but become a single lane about 5m away from the exit! Add to this that there are no "lanes merging" signs as you exit the roundabout and it's a bit of a recipe for disaster, especially for people that don't like to follow the "merge like a zip" guideline/rule :argue:

[toycollector10]

Sunday the 26th of April, 09.45AM, and I'm going to meet my crew outside QEII Park. I'm late. I'm entering the big roundabout that intersects with Marshlands Rd, heading east.

I'm in the right hand lane to go straight thru. Wrong. Even though that's standard practice and legal.

Blood red (blood red, get it?) 4WD Nissan or Toyota twin cab is in the left lane in my 10 o'clock, so I'm assuming (Assume, makes an Ass out of U and ME) he's going in my direction, that is, straight through. Also, he ain't indicating a right turn so I think it's a done deal.

Wrong.

He goes right, right across my bow.

I'm all onto my brakes and doing a panic right turn on his inside. I don't know how I managed to miss hitting this piece of human excrement but I did. It was soooo close.

The lessons are.

1. Keep left.

2. Stay out of a cagers blind spot.

3. If you are late or in a hurry, Just Slow The F*ck Down and think about
what you are doing.

3. Don't put yourself in a position of danger: I should have just pulled in
behind this cage or at least accelerated ahead of him.

I'm still looking for the bastard and he better hope I don't find him. Mid 20's to 30's, fair hair, must live over that way I think. I'm gonna find you boy!

[TOTO]

Just get a KTM and you can go OVER the roundabout man ...

[Oakie]

Hamiltron also has a number of roundabouts in town that have 2 lanes entering and exiting but become a single lane about 5m away from the exit! Add to this that there are no "lanes merging" signs as you exit the roundabout and it's a bit of a recipe for disaster, especially for people that don't like to follow the "merge like a zip" guideline/rule :argue:

Yeah, that's what I have on my Anzac Drive commute in Chch. 3 roundabouts like that although I guess we get about 60 metres on the other side of the roundabout before the lanes merge again. I always keep an eye on the left for those dicks that try to nose past me even though it's back down to one lane.

[oldrider]

Like water and electricity, I always take the line of least resistance! :ride:

[Oakie]

Like water and electricity, I always take the line of least resistance! :ride:

Well I guess if anyone knows about water and electricity it's you John but do they even have any roundabouts in the mighty metropolis of Otematata?

[Grahameeboy]

Left lane always....think about it..less chance of coming across a car in left lane wanting to turn right as you have to give way because you are crossing the lane line...read the Road Code...plus this makes sense.

Turning left or going straight - Use left lane
Turning right ie past 12 o'clock position - Use right lane

Coming from the land of roundabouts this is the way to do it.

[Mr Triple]

What Yellowdog said is quite right. For me it depends on traffic flow sometimes right sometimes left. One thing if you've got some dick in a cage that's trying to race you. Go to the right lane then if he looses it he's going away from you.

[discotex]

Left lane always....think about it..less chance of coming across a car in left lane wanting to turn right as you have to give way because you are crossing the lane line...read the Road Code...plus this makes sense.

Turning left or going straight - Use left lane
Turning right ie past 12 o'clock position - Use right lane

Coming from the land of roundabouts this is the way to do it.

Finally we get the correct answer :first:

If you're on the inside lane and cross the centreline you must give way.

If you're turning right from the inside lane you will have to cross the outside line to get off the roundabout. You must give way to others on the roundabout when you do this. The same applies if you go straight and someone in the outside lane is turning right.

[CookMySock]

Anywhere I like. Lights on fullbeam, GROWWWWWL, CRACKLE BOOM BANG POP!! grrrrrooowwWWWWWLLLL! GTFOTW!!! split up the center, FULL NOISE!! GONE!! WOOHOO!! :killingme

Steve

[TimeOut]

Finally we get the correct answer :first:

If you're on the inside lane and cross the centreline you must give way.

If you're turning right from the inside lane you will have to cross the outside line to get off the roundabout. You must give way to others on the roundabout when you do this. The same applies if you go straight and someone in the outside lane is turning right.

What if the left lane is marked left turn or straight through only, surely you are not allowed to turn right in front of someone going straight through in the right lane! As toycollector had happen to him.

On a different matter.
If you are turning right at traffic lights that have turning arrows can you turn right on a red arrow (green for striaght through) as long as you give way?

[Grahameeboy]

Finally we get the correct answer :first:

If you're on the inside lane and cross the centreline you must give way.

If you're turning right from the inside lane you will have to cross the outside line to get off the roundabout. You must give way to others on the roundabout when you do this. The same applies if you go straight and someone in the outside lane is turning right.

We know how to drive in the UK dude.....the Road code is actually confusing re lanes on roundabouts and the pictures which are correct are then countered by the narrative

[RoadRacer04]

My scenario is a roundabout with an inner and an outer lane. The inner (right) lane markings show that you can either go straight through the roundabout or veer right. The outer (left) lane markings show that you can either go straight through the roundabout or turn left.

Assuming you are going to go straight through the roundabout, which of the two lanes available do you use (given that you can legally use either). I tend to use the inside (right) lane because it straightens the route quite nicely and gives me a little better view of anything approaching from my left. I am aware though that some motorists approaching from my left may see me in the inside lane and assume I am going to veer right and so continue into the roundabout ... and into my path. So. Left lane, Right lane or don't care? And why?


I was doing my restricted car licence last year and i was instructed to turn right at a double laned roundabout so i moved into the right hand lane to go round (both lanes were marked with the straight thru and/or right turn arrows) at the end of the test the instructor told me i done everything correctly except when i turned at the round about i was apparently suppose to be in the left lane to turn right at the roundabout? i was confused, so does that mean that the right hand lane is for ppl doing the complete 180 round the roundabout??

[Oakie]

I was doing my restricted car licence last year and i was instructed to turn right at a double laned roundabout so i moved into the right hand lane to go round (both lanes were marked with the straight thru and/or right turn arrows) at the end of the test the instructor told me i done everything correctly except when i turned at the round about i was apparently suppose to be in the left lane to turn right at the roundabout? i was confused, so does that mean that the right hand lane is for ppl doing the complete 180 round the roundabout??

Well yeah, if you followed his logic no-one would ever be able to use the right lane as at some stage they'd have to cut across the left lane to get out.

[Skyryder]

Sunday the 26th of April, 09.45AM, and I'm going to meet my crew outside QEII Park. I'm late. I'm entering the big roundabout that intersects with Marshlands Rd, heading east.

I'm in the right hand lane to go straight thru. Wrong. Even though that's standard practice and legal.

Blood red (blood red, get it?) 4WD Nissan or Toyota twin cab is in the left lane in my 10 o'clock, so I'm assuming (Assume, makes an Ass out of U and ME) he's going in my direction, that is, straight through. Also, he ain't indicating a right turn so I think it's a done deal.

Wrong.

He goes right, right across my bow.



It's why I prefer the left hand lane. I've nearly been wiped out on this round a bout too. Changed to the left preference becasue of it.


Skyryder

[Oakie]

It's why I prefer the left hand lane. I've nearly been wiped out on this round a bout too. Changed to the left preference becasue of it. Skyryder

I'm aware that when I'm in the left lane and I have two cars side by side in double lanes on the next road to my left, the farthest away car may not see me and pull out infront. Being in the right lane gives that second car a better chance to see me and gives me a little time to react if they do start to move.

On reflection it probably is safer in the left lane as long as those vehicles approaching from the left see you.

[Max Preload]

I was doing my restricted car licence last year and i was instructed to turn right at a double laned roundabout so i moved into the right hand lane to go round (both lanes were marked with the straight thru and/or right turn arrows) at the end of the test the instructor told me i done everything correctly except when i turned at the round about i was apparently suppose to be in the left lane to turn right at the roundabout? i was confused, so does that mean that the right hand lane is for ppl doing the complete 180 round the roundabout??

No. It just means he's a fucking idiot.

[Morepower]

Left lane always....think about it..less chance of coming across a car in left lane wanting to turn right as you have to give way because you are crossing the lane line...read the Road Code...plus this makes sense.

Turning left or going straight - Use left lane
Turning right ie past 12 o'clock position - Use right lane

Coming from the land of roundabouts this is the way to do it.

I tend to disagree
If you look at the pictures on the link posted earlier
http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/roads/multi-lane-roundabouts.html
the roundabouts are generally marked so that someone turning right in the left lane is the one crossing the centre line and therefore must yield to someone in the right lane going straight through.

And this is the problem , there is no education so everyone has their own interpretation of the rules which leads to confusion . I am not 100% sure i am right , its just the way it looks to me and the fact that in most ( if not all ) cases that there is no indication via lane marking that you can right turn at cross road roundabouts in the left lane.

If the powers that be would divert some of the advertising money from showing us the endless drink drive / speeding / what happens when you get it wrong adverts , to teaching us how to get it right , then everybody would be on the same page and we would not have the current system where on a roundabout its a lottery as to where the other vehicles are heading because everyone also indicates right to go straight , none to go left and even left to go right.

[Grahameeboy]

I tend to disagree
If you look at the pictures on the link posted earlier
http://www.landtransport.govt.nz/roads/multi-lane-roundabouts.html
the roundabouts are generally marked so that someone turning right in the left lane is the one crossing the centre line and therefore must yield to someone in the right lane going straight through.

And this is the problem , there is no education so everyone has their own interpretation of the rules which leads to confusion . I am not 100% sure i am right , its just the way it looks to me and the fact that in most ( if not all ) cases that there is no indication via lane marking that you can right turn at cross road roundabouts in the left lane.

If the powers that be would divert some of the advertising money from showing us the endless drink drive / speeding / what happens when you get it wrong adverts , to teaching us how to get it right , then everybody would be on the same page and we would not have the current system where on a roundabout its a lottery as to where the other vehicles are heading because everyone also indicates right to go straight , none to go left and even left to go right.

Thats the way we were taught in UK...it makes sense.Any why should the right turning driver have too give way...other driver is not turning from the right....it's the same with the silly turning left rule...the car you are giving way to is not on your right...it is approaching at all times...no where does it say that you don't have to give way if the following traffic is going straight...after all the turning right vehicle has to give way to oncoming traffic...does it say that in the Road Code...No...mind you drivers here don't seem able to think for themselves very often.The recent fatal accidents at the weekend show that drivers don't think...and as you say the Govt focuses on speed as the killer when the Land Transport's own stats don't confirm that, not even close...If you are a few cars back in a line following a slower vehicle. Doesn't matter if you have a Holden HSV you just need to be patient because the potential for another car further up wanting to pass said slower vehicle is high = recipe for accident if HSV driver wants to overtake...this is a common accident scenario in NZ..lack of thinking..

[awayatc]

left lane, right lane, splitting between the two, or use the third lane on the right....whatever suits on the day.
(or straight through on the wannabe roundabouts that realy aren't more then an intersection......)

[Pixie]

As far as can remember, the rule is the same in NZ as in UK - KEEP LEFT - any right hand lane is a "passing" lane, so you should only be in the right hand lane if you are passing something i.e. left turner.
Also, unless it is marked otherwise, someone in the left lane has the right to go ALL the way around the roundabout. Makes for interesting viewing sometimes:bleh:

Bloody foreigners!
THE RULE IN NZ IS GO SLOW IN THE RIGHT MOST LANE.
and if you can find 2 other like minded wankers on the motorway,form a rolling road block.

On roundabouts use as many of the lanes as possible between entering the roundabout and leaving it,without indicating.

[Cheshire Cat]

I don't think it really matters as long as you indicate. And be real careful. I've had people fly into roundabouts from my right and cut me off:2guns:

[MSTRS]

"If there's no traffic, start in the left hand lane, cut across to the right lane midway thru and exit via the left lane" so that the bike basically travels in a straight line :spanking: Don't pretend that you've never done it :bleh:

I don't need to pretend...I never have. This manouevre is right up there with the right indicator on/go left aficionados. :ar15:

[MSTRS]

On a different matter.
If you are turning right at traffic lights that have turning arrows can you turn right on a red arrow (green for striaght through) as long as you give way?

Big clue, right there...

[cowboyz]

the correct answer is use the right hand lane.

This is because it is illegal to turn less than 360 degrees on a roundabout on a bike. To make a left turn you enter the roundabout in the right hand lane. Go round the roundabout and exit when the turn shows up again. It it optional if you complete more than one rotation.

Pleased I could clear that up for you.

[discotex]

What if the left lane is marked left turn or straight through only, surely you are not allowed to turn right in front of someone going straight through in the right lane! As toycollector had happen to him.

Good spotting. If there are markings at the roundabout you must follow them.



On a different matter.
If you are turning right at traffic lights that have turning arrows can you turn right on a red arrow (green for striaght through) as long as you give way?

No way in hell. I almost got taken out by someone playing that game a couple of months ago.


We know how to drive in the UK dude.....the Road code is actually confusing re lanes on roundabouts and the pictures which are correct are then countered by the narrative

It's a shocker. And you don't need to read it to get your licence anyway. We laugh about getting a bike licence by riding around the block in Raro but NZ is fairly close to that standard compared to the US and EU.


Big clue, right there...

Well.... In some states in the US it is perfectly legal to turn right on a red light (so would be our left if that's what TimeOut meant) if there is no traffic.

[MSTRS]

No way in hell. I almost got taken out by someone playing that game a couple of months ago.

Well.... In some states in the US it is perfectly legal to turn right on a red light (so would be our left if that's what TimeOut meant) if there is no traffic.

This isn't the States, and it's an Arrow light that's red.

I do agree that it makes sense to be able to turn left on a red when no traffic is coming from your right. Maybe one day the powers-that-be...nah, too sensible.

[discotex]

This isn't the States, and it's an Arrow light that's red.

I was saying it could be resonable question to ask if you'd come from overseas rather than asusming it was the same everywhere.



I do agree that it makes sense to be able to turn left on a red when no traffic is coming from your right. Maybe one day the powers-that-be...nah, too sensible.

Sadly I think you're right there. Interesting to see the government question whether it's worse pouring millions into anti-tobacco advertising that isn't working. Wonder if they'll ever turn the same lens on the road-death campaign.

[MSTRS]

I was saying it could be resonable question to ask if you'd come from overseas rather than asusming it was the same everywhere.


Yeah, but I doubt that a red ARROW is legally ignorable anywhere.

[steve_t]

THE RULE IN NZ IS GO SLOW IN THE RIGHT MOST LANE.
and if you can find 2 other like minded wankers on the motorway,form a rolling road block.


Ahaha... I've come across MANY people who seem to follow this rule, but I have no idea where it's come from :blink:

[discotex]

Yeah, but I doubt that a red ARROW is legally ignorable anywhere.

Ahh get ya point finally :sunny:

[TimeOut]

If you are turning right at traffic lights that have turning arrows can you turn right on a red arrow (green for striaght through) as long as you give way?


Big clue, right there...

Thanks that's what I thought, but here in Oamaru we've gone modern (six new sets of lights) but the locals are having trouble adapting!