Traffic lights on roundabouts poll

[Yorkie]

... In other words, at roundabouts, give way to traffic on your right. So, on the basis of that understanding, why are traffic lights fitted at roundabouts at all?

Al.

Because there are junctions at which roads carrying heavy traffic from the right meets roads which carry light traffic, and without lights, you could be waiting an eternity. In the case I mentioned - Lincoln - the A15 from the Humber Bridge southbound carries light traffic as compared to the A46 Lincoln ring road which it meets. Hence, at busy times, when you are on the A15 and get to the roundabout you have to give way to traffic from the right travelling along the A46, and the flow of traffic is relentless. The only thing that gives you a fighting chance of a gap is if someone is travelleing north out of Lincoln, (rare in morning commuting), so when they get to the roudabout, the traffic on the A46 has to stop for them as they're approaching from the right. This is a prime example where traffic lights don't exist, but really ought to, if everyone is going to get a fair chance.

The behaviour of motorists in some towns at commuter times is better than others. For a year I commuted from Hull to Leeds - 60 miles each way. When I got to the outskirts of Leeds and traffic was moving slowly, at roundabouts, slip roads and junctions, alternate cars gave way to each other, so if you were trying to get out of a side road, someone would let you out right away, or at a roundabout, even though you should give way to traffic from the right, they'd let every other car in. I think a subconcious 'symbiotic' relationship developed over time, with motorisrts realising that unless there was give and take, the place would be gridlocked in no time and no-one would be going anywhere any time soon. The five miles into the heart of Leeds in heavy commuter traffic used to take me no more than 15 mins.

Few motorists have a good working knowledge of the Highway Code, and I think most of us would struggle to pass the theory test without brushing up. How many of us could name the six types of pedestrian crossings, or explain what the acronyms of some of them stand for? How many motorists could explain in what circustances (if any), it's permissible to cross a double white line? I have personal experience of a motorist who was prosecuted for crossing a double white line, who did know the law, pleaded not guilty and in court ran rings round the Police Traffic Officer who had 'booked' him.

The officer was asked by the defendant how much exprience had, and whether he was familiar with the Highway Code. He said he had many years experience in road traffic enforcement and was very familar with the Highway Code and the Road Traffic Acts. The defendant then asked him to cite the Highway Code as regards double white lines, and he couldn't. The motorist (not represented by as lawyer - unless he was one!), was masterful. He said 'well I can help you there,' and handed the Officer copy of the Highwaty Code and asked him to read aloud Rule 129 verbatim to the court, which he did, and by the thrid line, realised that he'd made a fool of himself. Having issued as fixed penalty notice, the plice decided to tough it out, but really, the case should never have gone to court and inevitably the motorist was found not guilty. I wonder how many more motorists had been similarly booked, but coughed up £60 and got landed with three penalty points and higher insurance premiums due to their own ignorance and that of the police?