Lorries

[Quiksilver]

To indicate that he is not taking the first exit. It's not just lorries - car drivers have been seen doing it when they remember.

Ah but sometimes 'straight on' is the first exit! I can see the logic of wanting to deter the impatient from trying to get ahead, though.

[Quiksilver]

Every country seems to have its individuality when it comes to driving rules. When I first moved to Germany I found it strange that people would indicate when they were following a priority road if it turned sharply.

That's another, fairly recent, peculiarity The conseil départemental have changed the priority on several main roads here, obviously to reduce speed. The end result is appalling visibility and confusion all round as to how to indicate, especially in the cases where two roads form a crossroads! They've managed to create far more dangerous situations than existed previously

[Hotrodder]

I have been aware of the French rule at roundabouts. I have to admit I haven't taken it on board. If I'm going right at the RBT I indicate right as I approach. If I'm going left I indicate left as I approach. If I'm going straight on I don't indicate. That certainly could lead to problems but I'm usually faster on a roundabout than anyone else (apart from bikers) so unlikely to take anyone by surprise.

[Spardo]

French lorry drivers are taught to indicate left until they have passed the first turning they do not intend to take, then to indicate right to inform those behind but also those waiting to enter from that turning.

I came across this when taking my 5 yearly refreshment course and I thoroughly approve because that is what I have always done in whatever country I have driven in. It is plain commonsense to try to dissuade following traffic from overtaking while a turn signal is operating against them. I abhor the modern tendency in the UK for lanes to be labelled right or left on approach to roundabouts.

I still do it in the car too, for the same reasons. I disapprove of laned roundabouts and think it should be illegal to overtake on them. I always keep to the right and keep a sharp eye on possible overtakers in order to stop or slow if they start to chop me up. This means that I can largely ignore the right hand mirror and concentrate on where I am going, and the other one, the one that really matters.

BTW the words 'straight on' should never be used in relation to roundabouts. Only 1st, 2nd or whatever exits.

[Quiksilver]

All that is probably logical and salutary on big roundabouts, but it's a nonsense on small ones, especially when, as mentioned above, the first exit is a tout-droit ( ) continuation of the main road. But that highlights the other difficulty, which is timing. Certainly in a car, on a small roundabout, there is barely time to go through all that rigmarole! I'm convinced that as long as you indicate right before the exit you're intending to take, that gives ample warning to following motorists and also those waiting to enter. Still, it's interesting to read the logic behind the rules Thank you.

[Bayleaf]

Then there's those "unofficial" roundabouts that don't have dotted white lines. You give way to the right on those .... like you give way to the right on some unmarked junctions. Makes for some very bewildered motorists at times!

As I mentioned earlier, "learning" La Code with our daughter (as you can study it for free online) certainly opened our eyes to some peculiarities of the French Highway Code. Daughter even questioned some during her driving lessons, as there was absolutely no logic to it, but you did it just to get through the test...

Makes me wonder if they should hand out leaflets to tourists/newcomers to help them understand!

[Spardo]

All that is probably logical and salutary on big roundabouts, but it's a nonsense on small ones, especially when, as mentioned above, the first exit is a tout-droit ( ) continuation of the main road. But that highlights the other difficulty, which is timing. Certainly in a car, on a small roundabout, there is barely time to go through all that rigmarole! I'm convinced that as long as you indicate right before the exit you're intending to take, that gives ample warning to following motorists and also those waiting to enter. Still, it's interesting to read the logic behind the rules Thank you.

But either it is a roundabout, or it isn't, it is important to know if it is or if it really is 'straight on'. Vital in fact, as the priority may be changed. I also disagree that the 'straight on' minis that you describe are difficult to operate a stalk briefly, never had that problem myself, whatever the vehicle I have been driving, or the speed involved.

[Quiksilver]

Then there's those "unofficial" roundabouts that don't have dotted white lines. You give way to the right on those .... like you give way to the right on some unmarked junctions. Makes for some very bewildered motorists at times!

Ah yes, priority on the right...that's a gem Our little chemin sans issu gives on to a main (ish) 'D' road. After 16 years, it still disconcerts me when a motorist on the main road stops to let me out. That too is illogical, as the visibility from the main road is practically zero, whereas the chemin is much higher, so drivers are forewarned of an approach from either direction on the main road It's a generational thing. The older French drivers do still tend to bomb out of a minor road on the right, despite 'recent' STOP and give-way signs and lines

[Hotrodder]

It's good to hear from a lorry driver's point of view. Personally I haven't driven anything larger than a 6-tonner but have always had an accute awareness of the special problems facing someone driving an artic. I have seen one reversed from a busy High Street into an access alley that was so narrow he had to pull in both mirrors once the trailer was well in. He did it in one smooth movement like a well-programmed robot. Many times I have seen some blockhead "undertaking" an artic on a roundabout and only get away with it because the hgv driver was aware and took avoiding action. Overtaking on a roundabout should be a cardinal sin. Many years ago I thought it would be a great (but completely impractical) idea for car drivers to spend a set amount of hours driving vehicles other than a Nissan Micra to get an awareness of other vehicles' limitations. Everyone needs to know that a long trailer will close in on them when turning. Or a much larger vehicle won't be able to stop on a sixpence in the wet to avoid some fool pulling out in front. And that a motorcyclist will come off a lot worse than a blind man in a Volvo full of airbags.