Indicating at roundabouts

**pzkpfw** · 3rd October 2007, 07:37

Originally Posted by Skyryder

The road code is clear on this and for the likes of me I can not figure out why anyone would indicate when they are they are going straight through.

My copy of the road code (199x) is quite clear on indicating your exit on roundabouts.

Originally Posted by Skyryder

The only time you indicate when not turning is that if the main road swings to the right or left and the side road goes straight ahead. If you are leaving the main road and entering a side road that needs no change in direction then you indicate.

Stop thinking about "going straight through" at a roundabout.

Think about it as entering the roundabout, and then exiting the roundabout. The roundabout is just like a really long road with lots of roads off to the left.

Then, it's not such a different situation as your own example:

Originally Posted by Skyryder

The only time you indicate when not turning is that if the main road swings to the right or left and the side road goes straight ahead.

Originally Posted by Roundabouterer

The only time you indicate when not turning is that if the roundabout swings to the right and the exit goes straight ahead.

(The small size of some roundabouts makes it a bit harder; and these are the ones where it is even worse when some people indicate right when entering, if intending to take the second exit.)

**Usarka** · 3rd October 2007, 08:46

A driver entering a roundabout—
(a) who intends to leave at the first exit after entering the
roundabout, must signal a left turn before entering:
(b) who intends to leave more than half-way around the
roundabout, must signal a right turn before entering.

If you indicate right and are taking an exit that is half way around or less you are making up your own rules and are directly contributing to the "nobody knows how to indicate at roundabouts" confusion.

**scracha** · 3rd October 2007, 12:01

FFS it ain't rocket science.

If you're taking an exit past 12 o'clock you switch on your right indicator before entering the roundabout (and take the right entrance lane if there's more than one unless road markings direct you otherwise, make sure you get into the left hand lane in a safe manner prior to your exit)

After you have passed the exit prior to your intended exit you switch on your left indicator. If your exit is the first one then you indicate left prior to entering the roundabout.

There's even pretty diagrams in the road code book thingie.

Even more annoying than the indicator clowns are :-
a) folk who ALWAYS slow right down or stop just before entering a roundabout. FFS, the whole point of them is to improve traffic flow.
b) folk who drive/ride onto the roundabout and keep looking to the right. Look where you're going dumbarses otherwise you'll drive into the back of the car you thought had just moved off in front of you.

**Swoop** · 3rd October 2007, 12:12

Originally Posted by pzkpfw

My copy of the road code (199x)

Needs updating.

**denill** · 3rd October 2007, 12:25

Originally Posted by scracha

Even more annoying than the indicator clowns are :-
a) folk who ALWAYS slow right down or stop just before entering a roundabout. FFS, the whole point of them is to improve traffic flow.
b) folk who drive/ride onto the roundabout and keep looking to the right. Look where you're going dumbarses otherwise you'll drive into the back of the car you thought had just moved off in front of you.

And I've been THAT close to tailgating nanas who move off when it's clear. I'm looking to the right to make sure nothing's coming - and then they stop

But yep, it would be my fault.

Just something else to watch out for!

**pzkpfw** · 3rd October 2007, 16:10

Originally Posted by Swoop

Needs updating.

Sure (maybe), but the point was that the bit on roundabouts (yes, way back then) is just the same as it is now. Just like here (for people "new" to New Zealand): http://www.ltsa.govt.nz/overseasdriv...oad-rules.html

Are you saying skyrider was correct when saying: "The road code is clear on this..."?

**bell** · 3rd October 2007, 17:28

Originally Posted by Skyryder

Even if you have passed the left turning exit your road position says that you are not turning. If there is any doubt on the part of other vehicle then they should exercise the 'defensive driving technique of applying caution.

If only it was that simple.

The defensive driver is the poor sod sitting at the other side of the roundabout waiting to enter it, but hesitating, because they are
scanning for your left indicator to give them visual confirmation that you're not about to make a right turn across them AND haven't signalled right upon entry.

The "flow" of the traffic behind them is disrupted as they would have been pretty safe to move onto the roundabout if you'd been telling them (with your left indicator) that you had no intention of turning right across them!

The defensive driver is never going to assume that the road position of a vehicle is a foolproof indication of its intentions to travel in a particular direction.

Why, just yesterday I was towing a small digger behind my ute and approaching a roundabout. Approaching the roundabout on my right are two marked lanes: one to turn left from and the other to go straight through. I predicted that the (fuckwitted) Courier van driver whose vehicle was clearly in the "Left turn" lane was going too fast to turn so I slowed even more for my right turn. Sure as eggs he went straight through!

Apply caution indeed. Second guess everyone else's intentions on the road and you've got a better chance of making it home safely.

**rphenix** · 3rd October 2007, 18:02

Originally Posted by denill

It is a source of amazement that we have so few accidents. Obviously there are a reasonable number of defensive drivers to compensate for the Hitchers out there.

Unfortunately in New Zealand you cant really move onto the roundabout until you know you can accelerate away from the driver who doesn't indicate properly or you can read the wheel direction well enough to see the person really is exiting and not continuing on the round about!

**Grahameeboy** · 3rd October 2007, 18:12

There are not really than many roundabouts in NZ so not surprising drivers struggle..........

**Hitcher** · 3rd October 2007, 18:32

Originally Posted by Grahameeboy

There are not really than many roundabouts in NZ so not surprising drivers struggle...

There are thousands of them. The Roundabout bird has shat in the middle of nearly intersection in the Hutt Valley. Mayor Ogden must have been collecting too much in the way of rates.

**Grahameeboy** · 3rd October 2007, 20:35

Originally Posted by Hitcher

There are thousands of them. The Roundabout bird has shat in the middle of nearly intersection in the Hutt Valley. Mayor Ogden must have been collecting too much in the way of rates.

I think you are exagerating Sir........

**Grahameeboy** · 3rd October 2007, 20:44

Originally Posted by Hitcher

There are thousands of them. The Roundabout bird has shat in the middle of nearly intersection in the Hutt Valley. Mayor Ogden must have been collecting too much in the way of rates.

What bird do you reckon shat this one out..............you thought you had probs??

**Grahameeboy** · 3rd October 2007, 20:51

Originally Posted by Hitcher

There are thousands of them. The Roundabout bird has shat in the middle of nearly intersection in the Hutt Valley. Mayor Ogden must have been collecting too much in the way of rates.

or a better view