"Steve Walker" wrote in message
...
On 22/04/2019 15:58, Jethro_uk wrote:
On Mon, 22 Apr 2019 15:50:49 +0100, Jim GM4DHJ ... wrote:

It happened again today as it has happened countless times before three
vehicles approach at the same time and all stop at the give way line at
a three way mini roundabout....we all sit there wondering who has right
of way...so feck it I blasted on around leaving them sitting....fed up
with everybody stopping and wondering who should go....any body else
found this? ....

Er, priority to the right ?

Priority from the right only applies when vehicles are actually on the
roundabout and, until someone enters, everyone has equal right to do so.

So all three arrive at the roundabout and all stop because they see someone
else to their right that they will have to give way to. No-one is on the
roundabout. Two of the three both think "bugger this - I'm going" at the
same time, with the result that the one on the right will hit the one to his
left, and it will be the latter's fault. IN America, people are probably
more used to remembering the order that they arrived, since it is the way
that the same deadlock is broken with four-way stop junctions, but in the
UK, few people can remember what order they arrived at a roundabout: I know
I wouldn't have a clue and rely entirely on giving way to the car on the
right.

I suppose the way out of it is for one of the drivers to wave on the one on
his left, to say "I know I have priority over you, but I'll let you go to
break the deadlock". And once the first person has gone, the one on his left
(and your right) can go, and then you can go. The problem with that is
motivation: who wants to give way, knowing that it will make hem the last
car to go? But at least there is a positive signal - and anything is better
than no signal, which leads to indecision. Of course there will always be
some nutter who will give a clear wave-on or headlamp flash, and will then
set off and hit the other person deliberately to claim whiplash compensation
:-( The Highway Code desperately needs an "I will wait for you" signal. Not
flashing of headlamps, if that is already intended to mean a visible version
of the horn "Watch out! I'm here!", but *something* - flash a big green
light between the headlamps - anything!