Driving in Charlesland

hamstervision · 21-04-2011 10:21am #1

Hi all,

I usually get the DART to work so don't do much driving around the estate. But between the few times I do drive and observations made as a pedestrian, I have seen some seriously stupid driving.

Yesterday I was coming out onto the main green from Charlesland Wood and could see 2 cars driving parallel to each other on the far side of the green. At first I thought to myself "I didn't think that was a dual-carriageway..." No, it was someone overtaking. Inside the estate. Seriously. And the first car didn't seem to be going that slowly.

Last month, for two weeks in a row trying to come out onto the main green I had to stop suddenly to avoid the modified sports-car driving down my side of the green doing at least 80km/h. With all of the cars parked outside the duplexes there, it would be so easy for a kid (or fully grown adult) to walk out and get hit.

A few weeks before that I saw a learner driver come into the the estate, and was turning left into Superquinn. Apparently they were doing this too slowly because, just as they were entering the roundabout, someone changed lanes, sped up and, from the right-hand-lane, swerved left, cutting off the poor learner driver and taking the exit for Superquinn.

I've lost count of the amount of times I've seen drivers not stopping for people (often with prams and/or toddlers) trying to cross at the pedestrian crossings at the entrance to the estate, and when I stop for people they often look shocked.

Are we in that much of a rush? It's an estate, not Mondello Park. I know there was a thread about speed-bumps recently, but speed-bumps just slow people down for short bursts. The problem seems to be people's mentality and it's only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt.

Earlsie · 21-04-2011 11:38am

hamstervision wrote: »

pedestrian crossings at the entrance to the estate,

I always stop at these crossings but are they actually completed crossings, are they missing Pedestrian lights,Pelican crossing ,Special signals or something !!If you where entering the estate for the 1st time they look like speed reduction ramps or maybe I have missed some signage.

On this point I often have people walking out in front of me outside the Burnaby Pub as well (not drunk), from what I remember there is some adjacent metal bollards either side of the road but no zebra crossing or signal lights.Accident waiting to happen here.

mikedragon32 · 21-04-2011 11:46am

Earlsie wrote: »

I always stop at these crossings but are they actually completed crossings, are they missing Pedestrian lights,Pelican crossing ,Special signals or something !!If you where entering the estate for the 1st time they look like speed reduction ramps or maybe I have missed some signage.

There are signs at those ramps to indicate that they are pedestrian crossings. What's more I've seen some serious muppetry including one clown who accelerated rather than allow pedestrians cross and bottomed out his little sh1tty rice rocket in the process.

I agree with the OP, there is certainly a number of idiots who think the spine road is a drag strip rather than a means to access residential areas.

ciaran67 · 21-04-2011 11:48am

hamstervision wrote: »

Hi all,

I usually get the DART to work so don't do much driving around the estate. But between the few times I do drive and observations made as a pedestrian, I have seen some seriously stupid driving.

Yesterday I was coming out onto the main green from Charlesland Wood and could see 2 cars driving parallel to each other on the far side of the green. At first I thought to myself "I didn't think that was a dual-carriageway..." No, it was someone overtaking. Inside the estate. Seriously. And the first car didn't seem to be going that slowly.

Last month, for two weeks in a row trying to come out onto the main green I had to stop suddenly to avoid the modified sports-car driving down my side of the green doing at least 80km/h. With all of the cars parked outside the duplexes there, it would be so easy for a kid (or fully grown adult) to walk out and get hit.

A few weeks before that I saw a learner driver come into the the estate, and was turning left into Superquinn. Apparently they were doing this too slowly because, just as they were entering the roundabout, someone changed lanes, sped up and, from the right-hand-lane, swerved left, cutting off the poor learner driver and taking the exit for Superquinn.

I've lost count of the amount of times I've seen drivers not stopping for people (often with prams and/or toddlers) trying to cross at the pedestrian crossings at the entrance to the estate, and when I stop for people they often look shocked.

Are we in that much of a rush? It's an estate, not Mondello Park. I know there was a thread about speed-bumps recently, but speed-bumps just slow people down for short bursts. The problem seems to be people's mentality and it's only a matter of time before someone gets seriously hurt.

Not to mention the Airport Bus parking in front of the main crossing as you enter the estate so you can see if someone is crossing.

cavemeister · 21-04-2011 12:40pm

I have seen shocking driving too.. I am in the Crescent overlooking to green and see all manner of @rseholes flaking it up the avenue in their modified Jap cars... Some of these guys even have the mufflers taken off their cars and to be honest, I have heard quieter ryanair planes!!

there should be a gatso van in Charlesland

Rasmus · 21-04-2011 1:59pm

Too right Hamstervision. I almost got run over the other day outside Charlesland Court. I shudder to think about less conspicuous shapes that may be crossing roads, like kids or animals. That spine road going down Charlesland is more perilous than the one outside the estate.

Also so true what is mentioned above. Spine road - access road or drag strip?? Some people.

Jimjay · 21-04-2011 4:54pm

Where does it say the ramps are Pedestrian crossings? As far as i know the sign on the road say look left or look right, which would mean look out for cars not cross at will. I hate it when cars stop for me, most of the time it is that quiet it would be easier for the car to pass then i can walk over. I am sure cars only have to stop at official crossings with correct signage and road markings. I think the bumbs are just there as a place to cross and not a place to expect cars to stop for you.

I saw someone almost get run over for stepping out infront of a car at the bump on the high street just down from burnaby. He then gave verbal abuse to the driver who was not speeding, telling him it is a crossing and he should have stopped, the driver gave Some back saying it is just a speed bump.

LEIN · 21-04-2011 7:52pm

Jimjay wrote: »

Where does it say the ramps are Pedestrian crossings? As far as i know the sign on the road say look left or look right, which would mean look out for cars not cross at will. I hate it when cars stop for me, most of the time it is that quiet it would be easier for the car to pass then i can walk over. I am sure cars only have to stop at official crossings with correct signage and road markings. I think the bumbs are just there as a place to cross and not a place to expect cars to stop for you.

I generally stop there but it is not a pedestrian crossing.

pedestrian crossing.

What we have minus the lights.

There seems to be an unwritten rule that people stop as if it were a pedrestian crossing.

The first time i drove into Charlesland i was met by an old lady swinging her bag at my car pointing down to the look left marking. (She missed thankfully)

Charlie-Bravo · 21-04-2011 8:37pm

It's this sign you'll see at the table top crossings - this one the jury will be out for decision as its not clear if you should or shouldn't stop. What makes it worse is that the road has two lanes so you have to watch all cars coming off the roundabout to slip by the one letting you cross.

I regularly use the crossing with kids in tow. I like the fact that some do stop and some don't, meaning I can teach the kids that some people are patient and courteous while the others are d!cks. Never trust anyone before stepping out until they've stopped, given you the nod, and the big false smile. :pac:

mikedragon32 · 21-04-2011 9:56pm

The sign Astro has is the one that accompanies the crossings and it is a warning sign rather than a regulatory one, which renders the them as pedestrian crossings and not just a hand place to cross the road.

As it's a warning sign rather than a statutory one means the driver doesn't HAVE to stop but must be aware of pedestrians crossing and give way if they're already crossing. A bit like the warning sign for an unguarded level crossing. What driver won't stop for a train?

Re the speed ramps on the road between the station and P&R, that's all they are. There are no markings on them nor are they signposted as such.

JanneG · 21-04-2011 11:12pm

What's even scarier is that I've seen people driving around the "Superquinn roundabout" the wrong way... :eek:

cuddlycavies · 22-04-2011 6:34am

Yesterday as I pulled into our turnoff. A small child was crawling across the road. I drive slowly. It's really only a matter of time folks!

darsar · 22-04-2011 9:01am

Pedestrian crossings have white stripes running parallel with the road. What we have is simply triangular road markings highlighting two large speed bumps.

I'd rather a car didn't stop for me because I can usually cross the road as soon as it goes by.

MyPerfectCousin · 22-04-2011 10:53am

darsar wrote: »

I'd rather a car didn't stop for me because I can usually cross the road as soon as it goes by.

Agreed.

And when I am driving, I am hesitant to stop at the first crossing when I am entering the estate from the roundabout, because it is so close to the roundabout that it could require a sudden stop, and if there is any amount of traffic behind it could cause a dangerous situation on the roundabout.

I don't mind stopping at the second crossing, or at either one on the outbound side.

Jimjay · 22-04-2011 5:12pm

astrofluff wrote: »

I regularly use the crossing with kids in tow. I like the fact that some do stop and some don't, meaning I can teach the kids that some people are patient and courteous while the others are d!cks. Never trust anyone before stepping out until they've stopped, given you the nod, and the big false smile. :pac:

I guess I am a d!ck then. A bit unfair really.
When I am driving I would rather not stop as it could be dangerous. What if I stop, the person crosses and a car comes down the other lane and doesn't stop? After all it's not a crossing.
When I am walking I would rather be patient and wait for time to cross, I have to do this crossing roads where ever I am so why is this different.

When walking across some people are patient waiting for the car to pass then cross courteously while others ar d!cks.

mikedragon32 · 22-04-2011 5:32pm

Jimjay, it IS a crossing. At least slow down enough to take a look at the road signs and the marking on the road.

Re not stopping at the first crossing in case it causes a collision, that's really the worry for the driver behind you if he's left insufficient space to react to your actions.

hamstervision · 22-04-2011 5:43pm

I don't know. Personally, I think that what may appear as people waiting patiently might actually just have given up on people actually stopping. I don't see a legitimate reason not to stop.

The argument that it might be dangerous to stop suddenly? You're driving into an estate so I don't see why you'd be driving so fast that stopping would be dangerous. There's a bush blocking the view to the right at the first ramp so I'm always wary of a small child, dog, cat, etc. I'd much rather go slowly or wait for someone than run the risk of someone walking out in front of me.

I guess I just feel that, in an estate, the pedestrians should have right-of-way.

Again, are we in that much of a rush?

Jimjay · 22-04-2011 5:44pm

mikedragon32 wrote: »

Jimjay, it IS a crossing. At least slow down enough to take a look at the road signs and the marking on the road.

Re not stopping at the first crossing in case it causes a collision, that's really the worry for the driver behind you if he's left insufficient space to react to your actions.

I disagree, however that really is not important and I will be checking the highway code to check official crossings to make sure I am not wrong. Btw I don't drive fast enough around the estate to need to slow down but thanks for the advise and I will certainly have a good look for he signs next time a walk past.

The road is so quite at most times so waiting for one car to go past before crossing is hardly a hardship. Why are the people crossing in such a rush?

mikedragon32 · 22-04-2011 5:59pm

Enjoy your walk.

hamstervision · 22-04-2011 6:16pm

Jimjay wrote: »

Why are the people crossing in such a rush?

You're right, driving through the estate would be so much easier of it wasn't for those darned pedestrians. They should just keep the hell out of your way. After all, what's a little hit & run amongst neighbours?

Jimjay · 22-04-2011 6:31pm

hamstervision wrote: »

You're right, driving through the estate would be so much easier of it wasn't for those darned pedestrians. They should just keep the hell out of your way. After all, what's a little hit & run amongst neighbours?

Yeah that's exactly what I meant!?!?

I drive slowly around the estate and get very annoyed seeing cars speed dangerously around. Some people have a blatant disrespect for pedestrians.

I am a pedestrian in the estate more than a driver.

I don't like it when cars stop at the bump to let me cross. Whats the point when I can wait a couple of seconds for the car to pass and then cross.

I dont see why I should stop at the bump when there is no one behind me and a pedestrian can cross at their own leisure after I have passed.

I don't see why anyone has such high opinions on this bump. If a car wants to stop for me when I am crossing the road so be it, if they don't then I wait for a safe gap I don call them a d!ck or wave my fist at them or complain about it.

hamstervision · 22-04-2011 6:52pm

Jimjay wrote: »

I dont see why I should stop at the bump when there is no one behind me and a pedestrian can cross at their own leisure after I have passed.

Common courtesy?

Jimjay · 22-04-2011 7:01pm

hamstervision wrote: »

Common courtesy?

Ok so common courtesy only works one way?
When I am in such a rush walking to super Quinn why should I expect everyone to stop for me? If I am walking I have the common courtesy of waiting for a car to pass before I cross the road.

I obviously disagree with everyone here so as a common courtesy and not wanting to offend anyone, I really am not a bad person, I won't bother posting on this subject any further.

hamstervision · 22-04-2011 7:13pm

I just honestly think that, in a residential estate, we should stop for pedestrians. Call it courtesy, call it being cautious, call it whatever, but I really don't see why pedestrians shouldn't have right-of-way, not only at the not-a-pedestrian-crossing. As you said, the roads are seldom busy so it's not like you'd be holding up traffic by stopping.

I'll get down off my soap-box now.

MyPerfectCousin · 22-04-2011 10:08pm

mikedragon32 wrote: »

Re not stopping at the first crossing in case it causes a collision, that's really the worry for the driver behind you if he's left insufficient space to react to your actions.

LOL. I'm supposed to feel secure knowing that if someone's driving dangerously behind me it's their problem?

THe only reason I feel this way is because of the speed at which so many drivers take that turn into the estate, and because of the number of drivers who fail to keep sufficient space between them and the vehicle in front of them.

MyPerfectCousin · 22-04-2011 10:20pm

hamstervision wrote: »

Common courtesy?

Common courtesy is great and all, but it will kill someone eventually.

Too many drivers stop for someone (or some vehicle) who doesn't have the right of way to pass, with no thought for other drivers on the road who should not be expecting that vehicle to stop in that situation.

Maybe pedestrians do have the right of way at those crossings; unfortunately this thread hasn't really come to a conclusion on that. If they do, then everyone should know so everyone can expect the same behaviour every time at that point in the road. If they don't, then they don't. The inconsistency is a problem.

mikedragon32 · 22-04-2011 11:09pm

MyPerfectCousin wrote: »

LOL. I'm supposed to feel secure knowing that if someone's driving dangerously behind me it's their problem?

THe only reason I feel this way is because of the speed at which so many drivers take that turn into the estate, and because of the number of drivers who fail to keep sufficient space between them and the vehicle in front of them.

No, but it sems to me that you care more about someone damaging your car than hitting a pedestrian.

MyPerfectCousin · 22-04-2011 11:14pm

mikedragon32 wrote: »

No, but it sems to me that you care more about someone damaging your car than hitting a pedestrian.

Where do you get that? I care about about a car slamming into me and me slamming into a pedestrian. I care about all the cars that get annoyed at me driving slowly safely and zoom around me in this estate, without thinking about what's in front of the car in front of them.

loobylou · 23-04-2011 8:03am

Vehicles should always yield to pedestrians, its in the Rules of the Road..
However pedestrians also have some responsibility in this area, thats why children are thought to stop,listen,look both ways before stepping onto a road. Pedestrians at an official crossing will tend to be less aware of traffic and do fewer observations, they tend to feel safer and presume that drivers are paying more attention.
The problem here is that there are a number of new type "crossings" popping up in Greystones and also Kilcoole. They are not "official" as per the ROTR, eg zebra,pelican or pedestrian crossings. Drivers are not giving them the same care and attention as they would a normal crossing, but some pedestrians are treating them almost like a zebra crossing and are not paying due care either.
This is an accident waiting to happen. The council must come out and clearly mark the status of these "crossings" before somebody is seriously hurt or even killed. Unfortunately, and I hope I'm wrong, this will probably have to happen before anything gets done.

Jimjay · 23-04-2011 8:43am

loobylou wrote: »

Vehicles should always yield to pedestrians, its in the Rules of the Road..
.

I know I said I wouldn't post again but hey.
Where on earth did you get your rule book?
I was brought up as a pedestrian to respect cars and that pedestrians yield to cars. There are some very crazy misconceptions about driving in this country, maybe due to the recent lack of driving lesson structure that everyone has enjoyed.

If a car turns on to a road where someone is crossing then yes the pedestrian who is crossing has the right of way. And the carvshould yield or slow enough for the person to cross.
A person who is at an official zebra crossing has tonput a foot on the road before a car has to stop for them 'officially' yes rule of thumb here is that out of common courtesy cars stop for people whether they have a foot on the road or not.

The amont of accidents that I see due to a car stopping uneccpectantly on a main road to allow a pedetrian to cross is very high.

Just to emphasise driving knowledge or lack of...
I cannot believe that most people I speak to think a second lane on a motor way or duel carriage way is a 'fast lane'. It amazes me the amount of people that pull on to an almost empty motorway go straight to the outside lane because they are driving at the speed limit and not slow enough to drive in the 'slow' lane. They then caurse near accidents, or daily accidents on the n11/n50 by refusing to pull over to allow someone past or by the people behind undertaking. I see this every single day. for those who don't know, the inside lane is the driving lane, the other lanes are overtaking lanes, they should be used when overtaking other cars.

What I am saying is that some people need to pick that rule book up and have a long hard read.

loobylou · 23-04-2011 9:40am

Jimjay wrote: »

I know I said I wouldn't post again but hey.
Where on earth did you get your rule book?

What I am saying is that some people need to pick that rule book up and have a long hard read.

Rules of the Road, March 2007, page 100, quote,
To avoid doubt and in the interest of road safety a vehicle should always yield to pedestrians.

Jimjay · 23-04-2011 10:02am

loobylou wrote: »

Rules of the Road, March 2007, page 100, quote,
To avoid doubt and in the interest of road safety a vehicle should always yield to pedestrians.

Interesting you didn't quote the rest of the page. What you are referring to is the rules of turning at a junction or roundabout.

As I said above if a car is turning at a junction or roundabout on to a new road then any pedestrians crossing the road have right of way. It in no way says what you are referring.

If anyone wants to check this the link is
http://www.rulesoftheroad.ie/pdf-downloads/english/rules-of-the-road%20eng.pdf

Check around page 100 section 9 'rules of junctions and roundabouts'. It referrs to who has the right of way at junctions. A very specific section and somewhere cars have already stopped at a yield sign or slowed to an almost stop, not a suprise stop in the middle of a road.

loobylou · 23-04-2011 10:29am

As I clearly stated in my earlier post pedestrians have a duty to be responsible.
There is however a heavier onus on the driver though, that is why he is tested/licensed to operate a motorcar.
Traffic should always yield to pedestrians, that is simply common sense. Would you run over somebody purely because you think you have "right of way"? Of course you would'nt. If you did the courts would not be long about telling you that people have rights at places other than junctions.
None of this though takes from my original point which was to actually support your argument. I would suggest that these are NOT controlled crossings but are being treated as such by some pedestrians and some drivers.
What I would like to see is clarity being brought by the relevant authorities in the interest of everyones safety.

Jimjay · 23-04-2011 10:38am

loobylou wrote: »

As I clearly stated in my earlier post pedestrians have a duty to be responsible.
There is however a heavier onus on the driver though, that is why he is tested/licensed to operate a motorcar.
Traffic should always yield to pedestrians, that is simply common sense. Would you run over somebody purely because you think you have "right of way"? Of course you would'nt. If you did the courts would not be long about telling you that people have rights at places other than junctions.
None of this though takes from my original point which was to actually support your argument. I would suggest that these are NOT controlled crossings but are being treated as such by some pedestrians and some drivers.
What I would like to see is clarity being brought by the relevant authorities in the interest of everyones safety.

Ok I don't mean to come across as an ass and want to offend no one. Of course you would stop and hopefully be driving slow enough to stop if someone ran out onto the road in front of you, that doesn't mean they had the right of way to do it in the first place.
The main problem, as someone stated in an earlier post is that the rules are there to be followed and if a rule is not correct or should be changed then it needs changing. You cannot have half the people using one rule book and the rest using another, this is what makes roads unsafe.

LEIN · 23-04-2011 10:59am

Guys i understand that this pedestrians argument is important but i also have to say its not a local argument and for that reason i feel it belongs to the motors forum.
I believe there are many good folk over there that will have a very high knowledge on that very subject.

The other stuff on the dodgy driving is ok as i too see some fools.

I always stick to 30KPH in the estate as killing a child or anyone is not something i could live with and that could easily happen as there are always cars parked at the duplexes.
All it will take is for a young child to come flying out from between them heading for the green and its game over.
I have been overtaken had cars nearly touching the back of mine while flashing beeping and waving their hands at me frantically as to say move your car you fool.
Looking at the bigger picture, how long are these guys being help up for? Not even 10 seconds is my reckoning!

Home 10 Seconds quicker or a child's life? You decide.

matt-dublin · 25-04-2011 9:30pm

cavemeister wrote: »

I have seen shocking driving too.. I am in the Crescent overlooking to green and see all manner of @rseholes flaking it up the avenue in their modified Jap cars... Some of these guys even have the mufflers taken off their cars and to be honest, I have heard quieter ryanair planes!!

there should be a gatso van in Charlesland

it sounds like everyone is talking about

«snip»

an absolutly appalling driver

matt-dublin · 25-04-2011 9:37pm

i knocked someone down years ago, he was found to be at fault and had to pay for the repairs to my car (he wasn't injured badly)

its case by case.

and yes, its too dangerous to stop at the first ramp because visability with the fencing there isn't great as your coming off the road from jackie skelly.

i personally don't think they're official pedestrian crosssing, i would only consider them speed ramps. I would generally not stop going over them and i wouldn't expect a car to stop for me either.

matt-dublin · 25-04-2011 10:05pm

Last edited by Johnnymcg; Today at 23:02.

no naming and shaming?

Annasopra · 25-04-2011 10:06pm

matt-dublin - its against the forum charter to potentially identify a person by giving details of their vehicle. Please familiarize yourself with the charter.

Chocolate fiend · 26-04-2011 8:59am

What about the people who have no idea how to use their indicators? People who turn off the main roundabout to go towards Superquinn without indicating at all on the roundabout, makes it pretty hard for pedestrians when you have to read people's minds about where they are going!

hamstervision · 26-04-2011 9:03am

Chocolate fiend wrote: »

What about the people who have no idea how to use their indicators? People who turn off the main roundabout to go towards Superquinn without indicating at all on the roundabout, makes it pretty hard for pedestrians when you have to read people's minds about where they are going!

People not knowing how to indicate on roundabouts came top of a recent poll on Irish drivers' pet-hates. And, for some reason, because we're in an estate people seem to make less of an effort.

While we're talking about roundabouts, I've lost count of how many drivers I've seen going into the left lane when entering the estate only to end up exiting the roundabout in Charlesland on the far side of the spine road (the Wood/Court side). This is an accident waiting to happen.

hamstervision · 26-04-2011 9:12am

matt-dublin wrote: »

i personally don't think they're official pedestrian crosssing, i would only consider them speed ramps. I would generally not stop going over them and i wouldn't expect a car to stop for me either.

Official or not, they have the pedestrian warning signs on them and the solid (or solid before the paint faded) white lines on them for pedestrians to cross in. Personally, I would rather err on the side of caution.

Anyway, I didn't intend for the thread to devolve into an argument over whether or not they're actually pedestrian crossings (though it has highlighted some need to clarify what should be done in order to gain some consistency). I think people both sides of the argument are in agreement that if someone was already crossing the ramp/not-a-crossing they would stop. I've seen people driving over the ramp with a pedestrian on it because they hadn't quite made it across to that side of the ramp yet.

The reason I started the thread was to highlight the stupid things some drivers are doing in the estate. I'm not sure what can be done about it but I'm worried that someone is going to get hurt before the issue is really addressed.

LEIN · 26-04-2011 10:59am

hamstervision wrote: »

While we're talking about roundabouts, I've lost count of how many drivers I've seen going into the left lane when entering the estate only to end up exiting the roundabout in Charlesland on the far side of the spine road (the Wood/Court side). This is an accident waiting to happen.

I live in the Court and always use the right lane unless hitting Superquinn or the other side. I have had clowns come around the out side in the left lane blasting at me and calling me names for nearly hitting them! How did these people pass a driving test because what lane you should be in on a roundabout should be just pure common sense.

hamstervision · 26-04-2011 11:07am

Damo9090 wrote: »

How did these people pass a driving test because what lane you should be in on a roundabout should be just pure common sense.

There probably wasn't a roundabout with 2 lanes on their test route, so it didn't matter. We're only tested on a short route for about 30 minutes and then we're told we're allowed to drive. No training on proper use of a Motorway, including what lanes we should be using (like Jimjay was saying earlier - one of my serious pet hates too), you're just not allowed on, you show you can drive a given route, do a few tricks like reversing around a corner and all of a sudden, you're allowed to drive everywhere.

I also find if I'm coming out of Charlesland going right (towards the N11), and therefore in the right-hand lane, I often have people entering the roundabout in the left lane from the next exit (coming from Greystones) before I've had the chance to turn off into the left lane at my exit. If they get too close they force me into the overtaking/right-hand lane.

matt-dublin · 26-04-2011 11:34am

hamstervision wrote: »

There probably wasn't a roundabout with 2 lanes on their test route, so it didn't matter. We're only tested on a short route for about 30 minutes and then we're told we're allowed to drive. No training on proper use of a Motorway, including what lanes we should be using (like Jimjay was saying earlier - one of my serious pet hates too), you're just not allowed on, you show you can drive a given route, do a few tricks like reversing around a corner and all of a sudden, you're allowed to drive everywhere.

I also find if I'm coming out of Charlesland going right (towards the N11), and therefore in the right-hand lane, I often have people entering the roundabout in the left lane from the next exit (coming from Greystones) before I've had the chance to turn off into the left lane at my exit. If they get too close they force me into the overtaking/right-hand lane.

when you're coming off the roundabout from charlesland towards the n11 you should come off onto the inside lane, not the left one.

The whole point of a roundabout is to ensure continual flow of traffic, drivers coming from greystones to the roudabout should be able to continue straight on the outside lane while a driver from charlesland is on the roundabout on the inside lane

http://www.drivingschoolireland.com/roundabouts.html

hamstervision · 26-04-2011 12:45pm

matt-dublin wrote: »

when you're coming off the roundabout from charlesland towards the n11 you should come off onto the inside lane, not the left one.

The whole point of a roundabout is to ensure continual flow of traffic, drivers coming from greystones to the roudabout should be able to continue straight on the outside lane while a driver from charlesland is on the roundabout on the inside lane

http://www.drivingschoolireland.com/roundabouts.html

You may be correct, but where exactly does it say that on the page? I was never told that (possibly another example of how badly we're taught to drive in this country), I was always just told to yield right of way to vehicles already on the roundabout/vehicles coming from the right. The only place I see anything indicating which lane may be used when exiting the roundabout is this image that's linked to from the page you posted:

As you can see, the car turning right has its choice of lanes, indicated by the split arrow.

matt-dublin · 26-04-2011 1:00pm

yes, the car does have choice of lanes, where the left lane is free, both are right but only when there is available space in the left lane.

loobylou · 26-04-2011 1:09pm

matt-dublin wrote: »

when you're coming off the roundabout from charlesland towards the n11 you should come off onto the inside lane, not the left one.

The whole point of a roundabout is to ensure continual flow of traffic, drivers coming from greystones to the roudabout should be able to continue straight on the outside lane while a driver from charlesland is on the roundabout on the inside lane

http://www.drivingschoolireland.com/roundabouts.html

This is not correct. When exiting a roundabout one should normally exit into the left lane.
However turning into Charlesland would be one of the (rare) exceptions to this as you are almost immediately faced by a second multilane roundabout. If you are taking an exit after 12 o'clock on this (Superquinn) roundabout it would be safer to exit the first roundabout into the right hand lane.
Btw these roundabout threads go on forever in the Motors section.

Langerland · 26-04-2011 1:10pm

Funny how these discussions occur regularly over a number of years. I recall having the exact same discussion with somebody on here three o so years ago..."how to use a roundabout!"

The one thing I am amazed at is how few accidents there have actually been given peoples obvious misunderstanding of the rules of the road! Glad to see they have actually drawn helpful arrows on the road down at the swimming pool roundabout to help people who don't understand. Yet you still see people down at that junction, approaching it in the left lane....seeing the arrows......and then turning right!!!:eek:

matt-dublin · 26-04-2011 1:17pm

if this is the case lobyloo and someone is pulling onto the outside liane of a roundabout while you are on the inside and you are side by side and taking the same exit, you're telling me you should push into the outside lane??

i think not. you should be exiting off the same lane you entered.

the only case where this differs is where you have single lane exits.

loobylou · 26-04-2011 1:24pm

As I said, this has been done to death on the Motors section. I'm not going to go into it on the Greystones thread, except where its specific to Greystones. Otherwise the mods will simply close it down.

Driving in Charlesland

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