Safe Speed Forums

One of the (many) things that irritates me whilst driving is when people blindly bimble across a junction mouth or roundabout so that they block traffic trying to emerge across their path (I'm basically talking about the scenario where you're waiting to turn right out of a side road and the traffic approaching from the right blocks your path, when there is nothing/very little approaching from the left, or when you're trying to get onto a roundabout where the obstruction / heavy traffic is NOT in your direction of travel). So when the traffic's heavy enough / slow moving enough so I can do so without causing someone to perform an emergency stop or put myself in danger, I will force my way out when I don't have right of way.

I classic example is when turning right at a busy 3 way roundabout with traffic queuing from right to left across my path. I will creep onto the roundabout effectively preventing crossing traffic from blocking the way - MOST drivers will realise that they are actually about to block your path and then wait until theu can clear the junction/roundabout before proceeding.

I realise this behaviour is technically against the HC (although so is blocking up a roundabout), and it is rather anti-social, but would you consider it agressive, dangerous or otherwise bad?

Personally I see it as an unfortunate necessity to making progress in on busy urban roads.

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Science won over religion when they started installing lightning rods on churches.

Don't know whether it's right or wrong but I do it too.

I make a point of not driving over any type of junction unless I have somewhere to go (ok on some big roundabouts with jungles in the middle you can't see the other side etc so can't tell). What usually happens then is that someone I would have had priority over had I chose to go (and wait on the junction) will drive onto it and wait blocking the road instead of me doing it.



I sometimes wonder why I bother trying to be considerate

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I'll happily block the outward lane of a side turning in heavy traffic, but never the inward lane.

I wouldn't call it aggressive at all...if anything, it simply makes other road users aware and forces them to give at least a moments consideration for everybody else.

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What makes you think I'm drunk officer, have I got a fat bird with me?

the only problem is that more often than not the car on the roundabout can only be helpful for so long since often if they wait, their exit from the roundabout is being filled by cars from your left!

a bit of give & take & eye contact usually works ok.

Roundabouts often have keep clear markings, but nevertheless >50% of drivers will block them . This is inconsiderate for people who want to go to a lesser used exit where there is no queue.

This can also kill as an ambulance may need to get onto the roundabout, so perhaps there should be some enforcement.