Lorries Pulling Out at Roundabouts.

[Frothy_B]

Sometimes in a HGV you have to just pull out knowing you are going to slow someone down as you know you won't get up to speed before the other vehicle reaches you. I don't know that roundabout personally so I can't say what it looks like from a HGV Drivers perspective. The fact you say it happens often though suggests there is something about it that makes it appear the car will likely be turning left. Learnt long ago not to rely on other vehicles indicators and more their road/lane position as indicator use is so poor in general.

Doesn't excuse the driver giving you hand signals, although in all my years of driving I haven't know anyone to do that who didn't feel like the other driver was at fault first.

Other people's driving mistakes can infuriate in the moment but that is all they are, moments, they pass and we all carry on with our day. No point getting hung up about it.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Honestly, I cannot believe that we're still having this discussion. Some drivers are idiots, no matter whether they drive a car, a bus or a lorry.

I went out for a drive this afternoon and there were several instances where other drivers were slightly annoying. I'm fairly certain that some of those drivers thought that I was an idiot because I slowed down and obeyed the speed limits through the various villages that I travelled through.

A lorry driver moves out in front of you on a roundabout when you should have right of way - it's not right, but do we really need a two-page thread about it?

Was it really necessary to make this post?
The discussion has been generally respectful, even where posters have disagreed. I appreciate that (based on the lack of red text) you've made the above post without your moderator hat on, but by posting you've extended the discussion and bumped the thread back up to the top of the forum section. If you think it's silly or pointless (which is of course a valid opinion) just ignore it.

 

[Edsmith]

I'm sure others have experienced this too.
You are on the roundabout and wanting to go straight ahead (second exit) but just as you get to the first exit a lorry pulls out causing you to stop rather than be crushed!
What is even more annoying is that the lorry driver gesticulates as those you're the one at fault.

Obviously a lorry, particularly heavily loaded, takes a while to get going so at the moment the driver decides to go it's clear to do so but the lorry may not clear the section before another vehicle appears. Motorway junctions can be particularly difficult as other traffic is often approaching at speed and in some situations in can be nigh on impossible to pull out without inconveniencing someone else.

Another thing at roundabouts is that the offside mirror on lorries creates a bit of a blind spot although many modern lorries now have cameras rather than mirrors.

That's not to say that the lorry driver is always in the right but a bit more understanding from other road users doesn't go amiss.

 

[dangie]

.... but a bit more understanding from other road users doesn't go amiss.

That really gets to the crux of the matter. The road is not yours. You share it with others. Yes there are rules to be followed, but with there being so many vehicles on the roads nowadays there has to be a little leeway given or the roads would be gridlocked.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

Another thing at roundabouts is that the offside mirror on lorries creates a bit of a blind spot although many modern lorries now have cameras rather than mirrors.

Another Ashley Neal bugbear, those. As a car driver, with the cameras you can no longer use the lorry driver's mirror to double-check that you've been seen by the driver, as the camera set-up only works one way. Yet another example of technology being used in a way that is counterproductive.

 

[philthetube]

Just to clarify. Not stationary and visible.

Did you both stop before entering the roundabout, if so you would arrive at the lorries entrance doing about 20mph while the lorry would be doing 3 but the lorry would be in the right,.

Just purely out of curiosity, how posting to this thread are drivers?

I have driven buses for a large part of my working life, there are junctions where you cannot pull out without causing cars to brake unless you want to close the road for the duration of the rush hour.

 

[Edsmith]

Another Ashley Neal bugbear, those. As a car driver, with the cameras you can no longer use the lorry driver's mirror to double-check that you've been seen by the driver, as the camera set-up only works one way. Yet another example of technology being used in a way that is counterproductive.

I understand your point but I would say the camera set up is much better.

 

[61653 HTAFC]

I understand your point but I would say the camera set up is much better.

What are the advantages of it, given that the lack of feedback for other road users is a distinct disadvantage? Is it actually "better" or just "new and fancy"?

This is reminds me of the thread about a "back to basics" car (in the "Other Transport" section that this thread ought to be in). Much like electronic handbrakes and push button starters, it feels to me a bit like progress for the sake of progress.

 

[gswindale]

I understand your point but I would say the camera set up is much better.

I think they look a little bit weird from the outside, but do they give the driver better visibility? I don't think I've ever consciously looked at a lorry's mirror as I'm passing one.

 

[GRALISTAIR]

Try this situation in the USA. Most don’t h a clue when a roundabout is installed!

 

[MotCO]

I have driven buses for a large part of my working life, there are junctions where you cannot pull out without causing cars to brake unless you want to close the road for the duration of the rush hohour.

It used to be said that, before traffic lights were installed, bus drivers would never stop at Marble Arch roundabout, because if they did, they would never find a space to move off again.

 

[nlogax]

Try this situation in the USA. Most don’t h a clue when a roundabout is installed!

It's fun driving through Arizona and southern California and seeing how the locals manage with new roundabouts replacing beloved their traffic lights and Stop signs. There's no better use of defensive driving skills than when on an American roundabout

 

[dangie]

I think anyone who has issues about UK roundabouts needs to drive the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Twelve entries/exists. No lane markings. Vehicles entering the roundabout have right of way.

Short Timelapse here:

 

[JamesT]

It used to be said that, before traffic lights were installed, bus drivers would never stop at Marble Arch roundabout, because if they did, they would never find a space to move off again.

Talking of buses, the behaviour I find most irritating is buses stopping on the roundabout to allow other buses out.

 

[dangie]

Talking of buses, the behaviour I find most irritating is buses stopping on the roundabout to allow other buses out.

How often does this actually happen? Assuming each instance only lasts 10 seconds or so, even if it happens 5-10 times a year it’s only held you up for a minute or two per year. More time to listen to Planet Rock on the radio

 

[westv]

Did you both stop before entering the roundabout, if so you would arrive at the lorries entrance doing about 20mph while the lorry would be doing 3 but the lorry would be in the right,.

I stopped at the entrance, the lorry didn't

 

[JamesT]

How often does this actually happen? Assuming each instance only lasts 10 seconds or so, even if it happens 5-10 times a year it’s only held you up for a minute or two per year. More time to listen to Planet Rock on the radio

On The Plain roundabout in Oxford, weekly. I’m usually on my bike, so a little more than just ten seconds as I will have been trying to get up to speed from joining, then slam on the anchors, then get going again.

 

[greatkingrat]

I have driven buses for a large part of my working life, there are junctions where you cannot pull out without causing cars to brake unless you want to close the road for the duration of the rush hour.

That is one of the potential issues with self-driving cars, that they will just sit at busy junctions indefinitely waiting for a suitably large gap that never comes, rather than "pushing" out as a human will do.

 

[AlterEgo]

I think anyone who has issues about UK roundabouts needs to drive the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Twelve entries/exists. No lane markings. Vehicles entering the roundabout have right of way.

Short Timelapse here:

I hate to be that guy but the Arc de Triomphe junction is by definition not actually a roundabout, as vehicles entering it have priority!

 

[dangie]

I hate to be that guy but the Arc de Triomphe junction is by definition not actually a roundabout, as vehicles entering it have priority!

It’s round. Vehicles go around it. So to me it’s a roundabout

I’ve Googled it and have not found anything which matches your description. Best I can find is ‘a place where three or more roads join and traffic must go around a circular area in the middle, rather than straight across.’

 

[Edsmith]

I think they look a little bit weird from the outside, but do they give the driver better visibility? I don't think I've ever consciously looked at a lorry's mirror as I'm passing one.

I agree that they do look a bit weird but I think they give much better visibility but opinions vary.

 

[dastocks]

I hate to be that guy but the Arc de Triomphe junction is by definition not actually a roundabout, as vehicles entering it have priority!

It's a wonderful example of the French Priorité à droite rule in action. There's a good explanation here.

Priorité à droite | Who Has Priority | Right of Way

The “right of way” conundrum that the French pose to UK drivers with French motoring laws and customs.

www.drive-france.com

 

[bramling]

That really gets to the crux of the matter. The road is not yours. You share it with others. Yes there are rules to be followed, but with there being so many vehicles on the roads nowadays there has to be a little leeway given or the roads would be gridlocked.

It’s all very well saying a little leeway, but this doesn’t give people carte blanche to do what they want. Pulling out and causing someone else to have to take avoiding action could very easily result in someone then going into their rear, or whatever.

I’m quite surprised by some of the posts on here. If it’s not clear, people shouldn’t be pulling out, even if that means waiting a while. How many times is it *really* the case that someone physically cannot find a suitable gap, as opposed to can’t be bothered to wait or patience doesn’t stretch long enough?

 

[Ediswan]

I have driven buses for a large part of my working life, there are junctions where you cannot pull out without causing cars to brake unless you want to close the road for the duration of the rush hour.

There are a couple of junctions near me where it is entirely normal for buses turning right to do that. No drama. Nobody gets upset. Just ease off the accelerator, brake gently if needed.

 

[gswindale]

There are a couple of junctions near me where it is entirely normal for buses turning right to do that. No drama. Nobody gets upset. Just ease off the accelerator, brake gently if needed.

Indeed. Read the road ahead and drive accordingly. Don't just fly along at the speed limit and hit the emergency anchors. Makes for a more pleasant driving experience

 

[tomuk]

I stopped at the entrance, the lorry didn't

Why did you stop at the entrance to the roundabout? Most roundabouts have a single dashed advisory give way line you don't need to stop if the road is clear.

 

[westv]

Why did you stop at the entrance to the roundabout? Most roundabouts have a single dashed advisory give way line you don't need to stop if the road is clear.

Poor sight lines on entering at that particular point.
Travelling from sw to ne on the minor road. The major road going nw to se.

 

[tomuk]

Poor sight lines on entering at that particular point.
Travelling from sw to ne on the minor road. The major road going nw to se.

Looking at GSV it looks like the greenery between the roundabout and the bus stop, around the subway, could do with a good trim.

 

[Islineclear3_1]

Just purely out of curiosity, how posting to this thread are drivers?

I drive every day and encounter many lorries on a daily basis at roundabouts - including coming on and off motorways. I've been driving regularly for 30 years

It's all down to experience, adjusting your speed to suit the situation/traffic/conditions, being aware of, and sensitive to other drivers and above all - PATIENCE.

Maybe you are driving too fast? Road rage perhaps?

Also, this country seems to rely on "just in time" deliveries so maybe the lorry driver was in a hurry?

 

[SeanBentley]

I'm sure others have experienced this too.
You are on the roundabout and wanting to go straight ahead (second exit) but just as you get to the first exit a lorry pulls out causing you to stop rather than be crushed!
What is even more annoying is that the lorry driver gesticulates as those you're the one at fault.

Frustrating situation where a lorry unexpectedly pulls out, and the driver blames you.

Looking at GSV it looks like the greenery between the roundabout and the bus stop, around the subway, could do with a good trim.

The greenery near the roundabout and bus stop appears overgrown and could use some trimming.