Correct roundabout lane

It's so little beyond the 12 o'clock position (what is it? 12:15?) that I think take the left lane is correct.

I never thought that 12 o clock rule made any sense.

I'm a lorry driver with many cpcs under my belt and if I was coming into that having never driven into it before I'd take left lane but knowing the roundabout I'd probably hit it in the right lane as most of the traffic would be heading for the motorway

You can't see the far side of the roundabout (or should that be oval about) as you approach it. It shouldn't depend on psychic powers, magic local knowledge or an accompanying drone to give a birds eye view of the roundabout to figure which lane one should be in. The sign shows the Kilcock exit at 12 o-clock and there's no other sinage or road markings to indicate any special lane designation so I would say to use the left lane.

It’s the third exit on the roundabout, right lane.

Driving instructor.

Hi,

I was a driving instructor for a wee while. Now retired. One of my favourite lessons was getting a pupil who had been driving for a few years and like you hated roundabouts. And showing them how simple they are. However might take a few lessons to work on this one attached

Roundabouts are simple, provided basic common sense is applied. There is only one rule unique to a roundabout - when entering, turn left. All other possible situations - the basic rules of the road apply. There is no other special rule.

And from the ROTR - the Roundabout Golden Rule

Golden rule
This ‘golden rule’ should help motorists to drive safely at any roundabout
regardless of the number of exits:
Think of the roundabout as a clock.
If taking any exit from the 6 o’clock to the 12 o’clock position, motorists
should generally approach in the left-hand lane.
If taking any exit between the 12 o’clock to the 6 o’clock positions,
motorists should generally approach in the right-hand lane.
If there are road markings showing you what lane you should be in,
follow those directions. Traffic conditions might sometimes mean you
have to take a different approach but, in the main, the ‘golden rule’ will
help you to drive safely on almost any roundabout.
133
Údarás Um Shábháilteacht Ar Bhóithre
Road Safety Authority

roundabouts like the one in the OP, if the road isn’t busy I would take the right lane, now if the roundabout was busy I would stay in the left so I wouldn’t get stuck or have to navigate traffic to get out of my lane.

Saying that if I didn’t know the roundabout, going by the sign I would be in the left.

On that basis I would say always use the left lane on that roundabout if going from the R407 to the R148 Kilcock.

Whether to take the left lane or right lane shouldn't depend on a subjective view of how heavy traffic is and a potential difference of opnion between two drivers.

Road safety depends significantly drivers driving in a consistent and predictable manner. This needs unambiguous rules, road design and signage.

At driving speed here's limited time to observe, comprehend and respond. If it's not obvious it's potentially dangerous.

I'd tend to agree with this but that roundabout needs better lane signage. Technically it is left lane because the exit is shown at 12, but it should be designated right lane because it's the 3rd exit.

Traffic would flow better then with 2 exits for each lane.

Again it shows the cock up that is the clock rule, before as you say it was left for first and second exits, right for anything after. If the clock rule was applied to the walkinstown roundabout it would be a disaster.

You're not supposed to change lanes while on a roundabout, there's too much happening and there's more of a chance of causing a collision while you're judging the angle of the roundabout as you're going around, cars coming off and on at multiple different junctions. Stay in the lane you started off in and exit in that lane, only time you should be going right lane to left lane is when you're exiting and you're driving across the left lane to get to your exit.

On larger roundabouts there is no option except to change lanes on the roundabout . That's why many of them have dotted lines in the lane divides so you can do that.

On a large multi exit roundabout, nor the small little ones, you should always try to position yourself safely so that you can exit without interfering with other drivers. That sometimes means that after you pass several exits you need to move over to the lh lane before exiting.

Note the arrow on the road sign for Kilcock and Trim. It is showing straight ahead. The general rule is stay in the left lane when going straight ahead unless arrows in the lanes directs otherwise. I have always thought this so called 12 o'clock rule is ridiculous.Anyone here ever drive on the roundabout going east out of Athlone at Kilmartin's n6 Centre ? The roadsign shows Birr straight ahead, but most people drive in the right lane instead of the left because of the 12 o'clock nonsense.

What direction is Castledermot on the roundabout road sign leading in to it ? I presume it is showing straight ahead.

You going to take thirds exit so definitely inside lane. I was taught during during my bike license training that 12 o'clock or beyond are for right inside lane. A lot of sign will have the exits posted otherwise at 11 O'clock or so for this reason