Roundabouts

[denis567]

About a month ago I posted a question asking if anyone could tell me, what the point is of the red section marked off in the right hand lane of some roundabouts.
I received a couple of replies, but what I wanted was a reply from some Highway Department engineer to explain the reasoning behind them.
As far as I am concerned, I think they add to the danger at a roundabout, by forcing you to keep in the left lane, even when you are turning right.

[sara3]

if you really want a response from a Highways Department engineer, I would suggest you write to your local Highways Agency.

all the best :o)

[Toureman]

They are put there to intimidate people to take the longer slow route round but as they are usually on smaller roundabouts it means you can straight line them by using the red part and get round quicker that is if your one of the few drivers who know how to use rear view mirrors correctly particularly if you are going straight on, after all roundabouts are built to ease the flow of traffic not slow it down !

Your not the only one confused......

http://www.iomtoday.co.im/your-shout/New-Oncha n-roundabout.4029583.jp

Local transport planners gone mad!

[kempie]

It is not true that "all" roundabouts are built to ease the flow of traffic. Traffic calming measures, be they employed on a roundabout or on a stretch of straight road, are expressly designed to reduce speed.

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/tpm/tal/traffi cmanagement/overrunareas

http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/roads/tpm/tal/traffi cmanagement/trafficislandsforspeedcontrol?page =1

[denis567]

Thanks for the links. I am still not covinced that they are not a potential danger point with right turning traffic being 'encouraged' to take the left lane.

[kempie]

There is nothing inherently dangerous about markings which indicate that the outside lane be used for right turns until you encounter those roadusers who believe rules of the road don't apply to them (which is true of all road rules not just those for roundabouts).

After all, it is stated in the Highway Code:

186
Signals and position.

When taking an exit to the right or going full circle, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise

� signal right and approach in the right-hand lane
� keep to the right on the roundabout until you need to change lanes to exit the roundabout
� signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport /Highwaycode/DG_070338

[denis567]

Point taken, thanks

[Panic Button]

I believe they are areas that the majority of users should avoid. However lorries that are incapable of getting round small roundabouts may have to stray into them with their rear wheels.