THE STEPHEN MOLE DIARY - ROUNDABOUTS - A RIGHT MERRY GO ROUND!
I live near a roundabout on the A24 at Leatherhead and use it regularly. Signalling drivers are often a menace - I'm all for a clear indication in that by signalling left you actually turn left!
Yet I follow drivers who signal when going straight on at roundabouts - why signal at all as you are not turning right or left? Some straightoners signal left, then right then left again to match the steering wheel turns! Talk about confusing and dangerous for those on or about to join the roundabout.
Then there's those joining at six o'clock (using the clock face principle) who want to turn right and leave at three o'clock BUT they leave their indicators on, so those waiting to exit from three o'clock think they are carrying on round the roundabout only to find, frustratingly, they are not!
I have decided that if I'm turning immediate left I will signal so. If going straight on I will NOT signal at all and if turning right from six o'clock to three o'clock cancel the indicator when I go past twelve o'clock.
Whilst on roundabout discipline, the idea of them is to keep traffic flowing so it's frustrating if being driven by or following someone who insists on stopping at one, even if there is nothing coming - even worse are those drivers who almost come to a stop on the A24 northbound at the Burford Bridge "roundabout" when there is absolutely no requirement to do so, similarly with the joining of the Leatherhead bypass as you come from Chessington.
When travelling that way recently, a driver stopped suddenly when there was no need and everyone behind jammed on their brakes. The tin of emulsion paint recently purchased dropped from my back seat onto the floor and burst open - the floor carpet is now a nice purple colour!
So, drivers, think what you are doing and be clear in your signalling!







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