Driving & Driving Test Tips: roundabouts, disapline, o clock

Question
Please can you tell me which lane I need to approach in to go 'across' a normal roundabout where there are two lanes on the approach?  This seems like a simple question and I originally thought the answer would be the left-hand lane.  

For the roundabout in question, there are 2 exits before the 'straight on' exit, but several drivers approach in the right hand lane.  Who is correct?  There is only one 'right turn' at the roundabout after the 'straight on'.  

Sorry if I sound a little garbled, it is difficult to explain without drawing the particular roundabout, especially as the approach naturally pushes you to the left before you stop.  If it wasn't for the sign showing you the roundabout it would look as though the 'straight on' was the 2nd exit rather than the 3rd.

The Highway Code merely states that you should be in the 'correct lane'...and so I am confused.

Many thanks in advance

Answer
Dear Sara,

Lane disapline can be a very dificult thing to understand and get right, especially approaching and negotiating roundabouts.

I generally use the information on the road traffic sign rather than the actual road layout to determin which exit is left, straight on and right. (The one pointing directly straight up is straight on).

You are right that the highway code doesn't give very good advice on this topic.

The problem paragraph is this one

   When taking any intermediate exit,
   select the appropriate lane on approach to and on the
   roundabout, signalling as necessary
   stay in this lane until you need to alter course
   to exit the roundabout
   signal left after you have passed the exit before
   the one you want.

The bits that say "signalling as necessary" and and "select the appropriate lane" are not very helpful. I will try to make it a bit clearer.

Imagine the roundabout as a clock with the straight on exit at 12 o-clock.

Anything to the left of this can be considered as left. There could be 1,2 or even more possible left turns. If taking any of these approach in the left hand lane, but only use a left indicator on approach if taking the FIRST exit.

Anything to the right can be considered as right. Again there could be more than 1 right turn. If taking these exits approach in the right hand lane and use a right hand indicator.

That just leaves us with the tricky straight on.
Generally use the left hand lane on approach unless it is blocked (for example with vehicles turning left) and use no indicator on approach.

As you have said, other vehicles will not use the correct lane. This is not suprising as they are probably just as confused about lane disapline as you are. The only difference being that they haven't asked anyone to clarify the situation.

Also remember that bicyles may use the left hand lane for ANY exit including the last one.

This is just general advice as all roundabouts are different and the individual situation may require a different approach or response. Remember to read all road signs and road markings on approach as these can help you greatly and can direct you to use different lanes than expected on approach.

If you want any further information about the particular roundabout in your question you could email me a drawing of it to me (or maybe tell me exactly where it is). I won't put my email address here as it may be posted and then I will be open to a lot of junk mail comming my way. If you need more information send me your address in a question (it won't get posted) and then I will email you my address.

I hope I have been of some help

Paul.