I think the lack of clarity comes from the inclusion of giveway lines on the entrance to the roundabout. And they do use different types of giveway lines at different roundabouts with slightly different meanings.
The Highway code only gives half the story:
'give priority to traffic approaching from your right, unless directed otherwise by signs, road markings or traffic lights'
The Traffic Signs Regulations and General Directions 2002 p161:
Give way line at small roundabout -
when approaching you must give way at or immediately beyond! [the lines] to traffic already circulating on the roundabout. Must be in conjunction with a roundabout sign that states:
(a)A vehicle entering the junction must give priority to vehicles coming from the right at the transverse road marking shown in diagram 1003.3 associated with the sign or, if the marking is not for the time being visible, at the junction;
Although the lines in this case are on p160 and in this case but also have the roundabout signs as above:
'shall be that no vehicle shall proceed past such one of those lines as is nearer the major road into that road in a manner or at a time likely to endanger the driver of or any passenger in a vehicle on the major road or to cause the driver of such a vehicle to change its speed or course in order to avoid an accident.'
However both drivers have the same giveway lines. How does one define the 'major road'? It must be the roundabout itself in this case as the minor roads are indicated by the use of the double giveway lines.
So what have I learnt from my stupid time researching this dull topic?
a) The driver should have given
priority to the right and is fully in the wrong for pulling out.
b) She then proceeded to take the wrong line over the roundabout causing more conflict with other road users.
c) MrP did not cause the driver on the main road to change it's speed or course in order to avoid an accident so did technically nothing wrong. He should be prepared to giveway to those already on the roundabout. But her wheels just cross the line at ~14s and MrP is on the roundabout by 15s so there isn't actually a lot of time to not do this aggresive cycling that he's being accused of?
d) The driver did cause MrP to take evasive action, although technically he wasn't on the main road when she proceeded over the lines.
e) Being 'nearer to the roundabout' definitely does not give anyone the right to enter it before anyone else.
f) I spend too much time researching pointless crap. What do they say about arguing on the internet?
Questions m'lud?
Plus not all vehicles go straight on, some exit left.
