Opinion: Why are so many drivers, not indicating correctly at roundabouts?

roundbaout

Its simple.. When leaving any roundabout, you should signal left only left!!!!!

The worst spot is the Alderley Road/A34 bypass roundabout. Traffic coming left to Wilmslow from the bypass and Alderley Edge. Also the Kings Arms Roundabout onto Bethel Lane, passed the Wilmslow Health Centre. It's on many roundabouts around the town and left turns.

Some even signal right, then left, or in most case no signal at all.

This is either just lazy and not considerate for motorists waiting to pull onto the roundabout. Or maybe the car/van wasn't fitted with indicators - especially luxury 4x4 drivers.

Please stop multi-tasking - use hand free phones, drink your coffee when you are parked. Highway Code is simple.. you must signal when leaving the roundabout, i.e. left. This helps everyone to move around quickly and carefully.

Reader's post by Barry Stafford.

Share your view's via the comment box below.

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Comments

Here's what readers have had to say so far. Why not add your thoughts below.

Susan Dawson
Thursday 9th July 2015 at 7:30 am
Hi this infuriates me,when i took my driving test we was told you must indicate at all junctions and roundabouts. I have seen people shaving,putting lipstick on, and the use mobile phones. What are the police doing?
Martin Dixon
Thursday 9th July 2015 at 8:05 am
Barry

When turning right at a roundabout you should signal right on approach and then signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want (Highway Code 186). So I would expect people to indicate right and then left.

I do agree with everything else you say. I think there are some very inconsiderate drivers on the roads.
Jon Williams
Thursday 9th July 2015 at 10:46 am
One of the problems are badly designed roundabouts (at the Merlin) and drivers who don't know what 30 mph is (I got overtook on Hough Lane this morning, 100 mtr before Prestbury Rd by a large car with German plates) and I was doing 30 mph !)
Mike Norbury
Thursday 9th July 2015 at 11:49 am
from the kings arms round about past the medical centre is bedells lane ;-)
Ruth Norbury
Thursday 9th July 2015 at 10:44 pm
I do often think:
'Ah, poor love, he's got a brand new Porsche 4x4 and the indicators are already broken'
Martin Dixon
Thursday 9th July 2015 at 11:17 pm
Barry's opinion post has really got me thinking. I wonder how many people are convinced they are great drivers and know all the answers even though they have taken no further tuition or picked up the Highway Code since passing their test?
Alan Brough
Friday 10th July 2015 at 1:32 pm
I'm with Martin Dixon on this one.

If you approach a roundabout to turn right, you should indicate right. Then, as you approach the exit, you indicate left.

A good example is the approach to the Kings Arms roundabout from Wilmslow. If you intend to exit at either Knutsford Road or Bedells Lane, you indicate right to show those behind you and those approaching the roundabout from Alderley Edge, that you are joining the roundabout and not proceeding along the A34 (keeping left) to Alderley Edge.

I also agree with Jon Williams - The layout of the roundabout on the by-pass near The Merlin is awkward at best, and potentially lethal in the way that lanes converge.
Elaine Napier
Friday 10th July 2015 at 4:00 pm
Entering the Merlin roundabout from Wilmslow is a nightmare. The entry markings are confusing and potentially dangerous for anyone wishing to exit towards Alderley Edge. The lack of clarity means people are desperately changing lanes to regain their desired position.
Stewart Dyer
Friday 10th July 2015 at 4:11 pm
The common signalling errors I see are; indicating right to leave the roundabout (yes really!!), indicating left too early i.e. before the exit prior to the one you want to use, and turning right without indicating at all.
All of these have the potential to cause accidents.
Over time, I have learned to ignore other drivers' idiotic attempts to signal their intentions (or not) on roundabouts, and I now usually just wait until it is clear what is happening.
I echo Barry's sentiments though. Many modern cars, especially large 4x4s, do not appear to have any indicators at all.
Martin Dixon
Friday 10th July 2015 at 7:49 pm
The layout of the roundabout near the Merlin is simply very badly signed. Coming from Wilmslow it needs a BIG green sign indicating the the inside lane is left turn only to the A34. It is absolutely no good to put a white arrow on the road as in standing traffic you can't see it.

The good news is that there are very few serious accidents on roundabouts in the UK.
Graham McLelland
Saturday 11th July 2015 at 11:04 am
I would like to add to this article.
It seems that many drivers think an indicator is and optional extra they not sure if they have one or even how to work it
The number of drivers who coming from Alderley Edge stop on the main road illegally to await a break in south bound traffic ,do they not see the road sign indicating to go round the roundabout and turn into Merlin from the roundabout?Stopping as they do will resulty in an accident which may be the fault of the car stopping where they shouldnt
Claire MacLeod
Saturday 11th July 2015 at 6:49 pm
I concur with the comments about drivers who think using their indicators is an optional extra. I also agree that, if taking the (usually) third exit on a roundabout (in other words, turning right), one should indicate that intention, as you approach the roundabout.

Speaking of the bypass roundabout (previously referred to as the Merlin roundabout), I have an issue with drivers who, especially when the traffic is heavy, when travelling from Wilmslow to Alderley Edge, decide they are above the road signage and decide to ignore the fact that the left hand lane is for traffic only turning left onto the bypass. They obviously see that they will reach their intended destination (Alderley Edge) a whole 30 seconds quicker if they ignore the signage and try to slip round on the inside. It's dangerous and unless you are aware of this behaviour, you could easily inadvertently cause an accident by following the prescribed route, with some idiot trying to get past you on the inside. This behaviour is typical of the selfish, me-first attitude of many drivers on the road today (don't get me started on middle-lane-hoggers and tail-gaters on the motorways...) of today's road users, I'm afraid to say.

And I wish they'd just stop it.
Fiona Braybrooke
Saturday 11th July 2015 at 9:35 pm
Claire you sum it up extremely well. As Martin Dixon has pointed out the signage is not sufficient and it only happens at peak rush hour traffic which would lead me to believe it is drivers who know the correct lane disabling but chose to ignore it
Lawrence Reeves
Sunday 12th July 2015 at 8:19 am
The web site http://www.crashmap.co.uk and location SK9 may interest those posting on this thread. It currently covers years 2005 to 2013, but suggest selecting just years 2011/2012/2013, since the opening of the by-pass to be more relevant.
Kaz Baildon
Thursday 16th July 2015 at 9:12 pm
...and another thing! What's with all this turning right in the left hand lane. For example coming off the M56 from Altrincham direction at the Hale roundabout, there are many people who stay in the left lane to turn right towards Wilmslow. It's frightening to suddenly discover you have a vehicle on your left as you signal to come off onto the turning!