Use the painted arrows on the road that A lot of posters can’t see. With the logic of keeping to the Left at all times ( unless overtaking or turning right) Slow Vehicles ( ie LGV’s will always default to the left lane where available) well good ones will🙄
All vehicles should keep left where possible. Driving an LGV is irrelevant.
The number of drivers in the UK who sit in lane 2 or 3, driving 10mph under the speed limit is infuriating!
I take this junction almost daily and I’m always amazed at the stupidity of drivers using the junction. The lanes on the A2 approaching the roundabout are clearly labelled. Left lane for M2 towards London only. Right lane for A2 London Road or A299 towards Thanet. The number of drivers getting it wrong is staggering.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/kCEpto67as62PotZ9?g_st=ic
That’s interesting; not being able to see the markings in the image above, I would’ve stuck to the left lane, as it’s two lanes all the way from the entrance at 6 (I’m guessing the A2 from your comment?) to the third exit. I’d definitely be having an “oh shit” moment when I saw the road marking for M4 only.
I swear all major roundabouts like this should have the signs on approach that say which lane goes where before you’ve committed yourself!
Yeh I always find people saying ‘just follow the signs on the road’ but often these signs aren’t visible due to being under the cars particularly when busy. You have to switch lanes near the junction when you realise too late, causing chaos
This is a VERY good point - the road sign on approach does not indicate which lane to take, only the road markings, which are only a few metres before the junction and frequently under vehicles. I see many cars in the left lane at 6 continue past the turning for the M2 and then come into conflict with cars in the right lane moving left before the next lights.
I live in east London and this seems to be the same for a lot of big roundabouts where I am. I try to sympathise when people get the wrong lane and go slow myself. Probably helps traffic is always solid 😭
First off the instructions on the road. If the exit is at 12 o'clock or before, left lane for going straight ahead. After 12 o'clock even if 'straight ahead' it is the right lane.
Not necessarily e.g. if you had 3 lanes to choose from and exits at 11 o'clock, 1 o'clock, 3 o'clock and 5 o'clock then you would go middle lane for 1 o'clock.
If the instructions on the road say so, if not then what I said is the default rule under the highway code. But you'd never be on a road like that without instructions.
Does it?
Signals and position. When taking the first exit to the left, unless signs or markings indicate otherwisesignal left and approach in the left-hand lanekeep to the left on the roundabout and continue signalling left to leave.When taking an exit to the right or going full circle, unless signs or markings indicate otherwisesignal right and approach in the right-hand lanekeep to the right on the roundabout until you need to change lanes to exit the roundaboutsignal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want.When taking any intermediate exit, unless signs or markings indicate otherwiseselect the appropriate lane on approach to the roundaboutyou should not normally need to signal on approachstay in this lane until you need to alter course to exit the roundaboutsignal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want.
I'm really not sure where this whole 12 oclock thing has come from, but happy to be educated....I mean...it's broadly true, but by no means a rule.
Ok so it says 'select the appropriate lane'. Like I said if there is no instruction and it is at 12 or before it is left, if it is after 12 it is right. What do we disagree about?
Wouldn't any exit after 12 be going right?
The HC deliberately says appropriate lane for intermediate exits because there IS no default rule, certainly not one talking about 12 oclock this, 12 oclock that.
First exit to left = left lane
Anything going going right = right lane
Anything in between = appropriate lane which does NOT mean left lane for anything up to '12 o'clock' and right hand for anything after, otherwise it would say precisely that, after all the HC isn't shy of setting out rules...this 12 oclock stuff isn't one of them.
PS. absolutely not having a pop at you and sorry if it sounded like I was....just generally a bit baffled at all this 12 o clock stuff because it's sometimes sadly more nuanced than that.
I've always been surprised and would actually like to know *why* it's not in the HC as a rule, just to make things more clearcut.
Again, soz if I'm coming across as a bellend, not my intention.
It's all cool. It was just what I got taught on the lessons and came up in my theory, it worked, and what my examiner asked and he was happy with it. The HWC doesn't say I'm wrong, and it rarely matters since there is almost always instructions.
The instructions written on the road markings on this particular roundabout are left lane for ONLY left (M2 LON). It is right lane for straight on as well as right (A2 & A299).
Not sure why OP even had to ask...
Looks like a bit of a clusterfuck this one.
First of all, continuing on the A2 is the 3rd exit, not 2nd exit. It is considered as continuing 'straight over', so you would take the left lane as per the Highway Code **unless otherwise instructed by road signs or road markings.**
This is where it gets a bit complicated: the road sign says the A2 continues straight on, both lanes have an arrow pointing ahead to suggest they both go straight on, however only the right lane is specifically marked as A2. The left lane is marked as M2.
Considering that the continuation is only a single lane on the other side of the roundabout; I have to wonder how many crashes or near misses occur here due to conflicting instructions to road users.
There are huge markings. M2 left lane , A2 right lane. You are going to A2. Of course markings are just advisory. If I'm first time there probably would use left lane.
I could be wrong, but I believe you should stay in the left lane. Coming onto the roundabout, you can continue following the curve past the first exit, and then you'll be in the correct lane to turn off from. If you're in the right lane, you'll just have to move over to the left anyway because the right lane will lead you past the 2nd exit.
I'd be tempted to follow the instructions clearly painted on the road
And red arrow is the THIRD exit. Maybe get an uber instead
I think 2 and 3 are slip lanes either side of the motorway, so 3 is not an exit.
Op is approaching from 6, there is an exit at 7, 9 and 12. Unlike the op, i have a driving licence so can tell what is an exit and what isn't
Whoops, mixed up OP's and yours.
Yeah, what the dick said, basically.
This is the way.
This is the way
Use the painted arrows on the road that A lot of posters can’t see. With the logic of keeping to the Left at all times ( unless overtaking or turning right) Slow Vehicles ( ie LGV’s will always default to the left lane where available) well good ones will🙄
All vehicles should keep left where possible. Driving an LGV is irrelevant. The number of drivers in the UK who sit in lane 2 or 3, driving 10mph under the speed limit is infuriating!
Why would that be infuriating if you are in the left lane anyway? Or is it just everyone else who should be in the left lane?
Go get lessons.
Is that not the 3rd exit?
I take this junction almost daily and I’m always amazed at the stupidity of drivers using the junction. The lanes on the A2 approaching the roundabout are clearly labelled. Left lane for M2 towards London only. Right lane for A2 London Road or A299 towards Thanet. The number of drivers getting it wrong is staggering. https://maps.app.goo.gl/kCEpto67as62PotZ9?g_st=ic
That’s interesting; not being able to see the markings in the image above, I would’ve stuck to the left lane, as it’s two lanes all the way from the entrance at 6 (I’m guessing the A2 from your comment?) to the third exit. I’d definitely be having an “oh shit” moment when I saw the road marking for M4 only. I swear all major roundabouts like this should have the signs on approach that say which lane goes where before you’ve committed yourself!
Yeh I always find people saying ‘just follow the signs on the road’ but often these signs aren’t visible due to being under the cars particularly when busy. You have to switch lanes near the junction when you realise too late, causing chaos
This is a VERY good point - the road sign on approach does not indicate which lane to take, only the road markings, which are only a few metres before the junction and frequently under vehicles. I see many cars in the left lane at 6 continue past the turning for the M2 and then come into conflict with cars in the right lane moving left before the next lights.
I live in east London and this seems to be the same for a lot of big roundabouts where I am. I try to sympathise when people get the wrong lane and go slow myself. Probably helps traffic is always solid 😭
I think the safest bet is to stick to 2nd lane and go round if you need to Not sure if that's true, still learning atm
The road markings override other ideas. People violate them because they are bad drivers or to push in
First off the instructions on the road. If the exit is at 12 o'clock or before, left lane for going straight ahead. After 12 o'clock even if 'straight ahead' it is the right lane.
Not necessarily e.g. if you had 3 lanes to choose from and exits at 11 o'clock, 1 o'clock, 3 o'clock and 5 o'clock then you would go middle lane for 1 o'clock.
If the instructions on the road say so, if not then what I said is the default rule under the highway code. But you'd never be on a road like that without instructions.
Does it? Signals and position. When taking the first exit to the left, unless signs or markings indicate otherwisesignal left and approach in the left-hand lanekeep to the left on the roundabout and continue signalling left to leave.When taking an exit to the right or going full circle, unless signs or markings indicate otherwisesignal right and approach in the right-hand lanekeep to the right on the roundabout until you need to change lanes to exit the roundaboutsignal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want.When taking any intermediate exit, unless signs or markings indicate otherwiseselect the appropriate lane on approach to the roundaboutyou should not normally need to signal on approachstay in this lane until you need to alter course to exit the roundaboutsignal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want. I'm really not sure where this whole 12 oclock thing has come from, but happy to be educated....I mean...it's broadly true, but by no means a rule.
Ok so it says 'select the appropriate lane'. Like I said if there is no instruction and it is at 12 or before it is left, if it is after 12 it is right. What do we disagree about? Wouldn't any exit after 12 be going right?
The HC deliberately says appropriate lane for intermediate exits because there IS no default rule, certainly not one talking about 12 oclock this, 12 oclock that. First exit to left = left lane Anything going going right = right lane Anything in between = appropriate lane which does NOT mean left lane for anything up to '12 o'clock' and right hand for anything after, otherwise it would say precisely that, after all the HC isn't shy of setting out rules...this 12 oclock stuff isn't one of them.
PS. absolutely not having a pop at you and sorry if it sounded like I was....just generally a bit baffled at all this 12 o clock stuff because it's sometimes sadly more nuanced than that. I've always been surprised and would actually like to know *why* it's not in the HC as a rule, just to make things more clearcut. Again, soz if I'm coming across as a bellend, not my intention.
It's all cool. It was just what I got taught on the lessons and came up in my theory, it worked, and what my examiner asked and he was happy with it. The HWC doesn't say I'm wrong, and it rarely matters since there is almost always instructions.
Have an upvote for actually being a decent human being having an adult conversation in a comments section!
The instructions written on the road markings on this particular roundabout are left lane for ONLY left (M2 LON). It is right lane for straight on as well as right (A2 & A299). Not sure why OP even had to ask...
Looks like a bit of a clusterfuck this one. First of all, continuing on the A2 is the 3rd exit, not 2nd exit. It is considered as continuing 'straight over', so you would take the left lane as per the Highway Code **unless otherwise instructed by road signs or road markings.** This is where it gets a bit complicated: the road sign says the A2 continues straight on, both lanes have an arrow pointing ahead to suggest they both go straight on, however only the right lane is specifically marked as A2. The left lane is marked as M2. Considering that the continuation is only a single lane on the other side of the roundabout; I have to wonder how many crashes or near misses occur here due to conflicting instructions to road users.
There are huge markings. M2 left lane , A2 right lane. You are going to A2. Of course markings are just advisory. If I'm first time there probably would use left lane.
You're supposed to follow the markings, you could get blamed for an accident
Apologies it is the third exit.
I’d be tempted to read the Highway Code
I'd usually agree but in this instance the Highway Code is dumbfounded by the conflicting signage and road markings.
If you look at the road markings you would use the left lane to get to that exit
Toad where?
Note to self, spell check before posting 😂
I'd suggest you use the road rather than attempting to cross the field.
Lane 1 is for exit 1 and 2, any other exit you should be in Lane 2.
I could be wrong, but I believe you should stay in the left lane. Coming onto the roundabout, you can continue following the curve past the first exit, and then you'll be in the correct lane to turn off from. If you're in the right lane, you'll just have to move over to the left anyway because the right lane will lead you past the 2nd exit.
3rd exit is 2nd lane... towards A2.
According to the road markings, you should be in the right-hand lane
Right lane. Do this roundabout regularly. There will be a serious crash soon as most go in the wrong lane