Drivers cruising over roundabout stop lines

[Amanda P]

This may become a bit of a rant, but...

Just lately I've had a number of cases of this. I'm going round a roundabout heading for an exit. A driver approaching the exit before the one I'm leaving at doesn't stop at the stop line, but cruises blithely over it, apparently into my path.

Of course, usually they are easing or moving slowly enough that we won't collide, but I can't be sure of that. So I must either carry on and risk being collected on their bonnet if in fact they haven't seen me, or take some kind of evasive action.

On most roundabouts, possible evasive actions are to brake, risking being rear-ended by the driverbehind me, or veer to my right, risking being collected by a vehicle using the lane to my right, neither of whom is likely to be expecting such evasive maneouvres.

The stop line is there for a purpose. I don't mind if drivers avoid coming to a stop by coasting up to it. But if they coast over it, I'm bound to allow for the very real possibility that they haven't seen me - with possible disastrous consequences.

 

[upsidedown]

Yep I see that a lot. The other problem is that most cars now have very powerful brakes that allow them to stop from speed in very short distances which doesn't exact reassure you that they've seen you.

 

[Night Train]

Even in my car I find that really annoying.
I have the options of stopping to let them out, swerving to avoid them and hitting the car to my right or hitting them. I'll opt for hitting them everytime.

I think it is the stupidity gene that makes them think that by casually drifting out no one will notice them joining the traffic flow without giving way. They seem not to notice trucks, buses, cars or motorbikes so I guess cyclists also completely fail to register on the radar.

 

[HLaB]

A couple of weeks back I was extremely p1$$ed off. I was going round a two lane rbt in the inside lane and a muppet decided it was OK to cruise out straight at me as he was only using the inside lane; his wheels might have been inside but the car body wasn't, muppet. I managed to avoid him but after swerving on the greasy surface I went down :-(

 

[The_East_Stand_View]

I've noticed generally that this is a growing problem whilst even in the car.

 

[GrasB]

Cruisers aren't a huge problem ime, they're easy to spot early. What I find more of a problem is when people creep forwards after coming to a complete stop.

 

[sheddy]

Not an excuse, but I wonder if some of the creeping comes from the increasing use of automatic gearboxes on cars.

 

[Jezston]

Airzound.

 

[Alun]

I think that some well developed BMX/Trials type skills could come in handy !

 

[MrHappyCyclist]

I find there are some roundabouts (large ones - gyratories?) where cars will start moving out if you don't make it absolutely clear that you are leaving at the next exit. A good clear left hand signal usually helps in this case, but then you don't have your hand on the rear brake. My AirZound is also on my left hand, so that is no longer available when signalling left. I think Shiva would have been quite good at cycling in traffic.

 

[Mr Celine]

Roundabouts don't have stop lines.

 

[Night Train]

Not an excuse, but I wonder if some of the creeping comes from the increasing use of automatic gearboxes on cars.

No, just a lack of use of brakes.

Roundabouts don't have stop lines.

True, though I am sure I have seen one that has but can't remember.
However, even with a give way line creaping out into the flow would not be giving way to traffic approaching from the right.

 

[Angelfishsolo]

When I get my Titanium Hummer I will enjoy rolling over the bonnets of the cars that do this.

 

[downfader]

I find there are several types of behaviour:

- lurchers. These stop at the giveway point and lurch/jump a few feet as you approach.
- blasters. They see you and try and make a quick acceleration to get in front, sometimes cutting you up. The most frightening are the ones like the guy this morning who went to do it at around 40mph. I had to shout "whoa!!" as I really thought he was going to go into me. Locks up all 4 wheels
- heavy brakers. They approach at speed like blasters but then brake suddenly. Just as frightening.
- edgers. They stop as normal but slowly edge out over the line.

 

[Mr Celine]

True, though I am sure I have seen one that has but can't remember.
However, even with a give way line creaping out into the flow would not be giving way to traffic approaching from the right.

[pedant] Roundabouts don't generally have give way lines either. The highway code does not say 'give way' at roundabouts. It says 'give priority.' See rule 185. [/pedant]

Apparently there is a subtle difference but it's lost on me. The highway code does however say 'give way' at mini roundabouts, and they do often have give way markings.