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Difficulty: HardLane Discipline and Positioning

You are approaching a multi-lane roundabout intending to take the third exit to turn right. Ahead of you, an articulated lorry is signalling right but has positioned itself in the left-hand lane on approach to manage its turning circle. What is the correct lane positioning and procedure to follow?

  1. A
    Pull up alongside the offside of the lorry in the right-hand lane to maintain normal lane priority before entering the roundabout.
  2. Hold back in the right-hand lane well behind the lorry and give it sufficient room to complete its turn.Answer
  3. C
    Switch immediately to the left-hand lane directly behind the lorry and follow its line of travel onto the roundabout.
  4. D
    Accelerate past the lorry on its nearside to clear the junction entrance before the trailer begins to turn.

Answer

Hold back in the right-hand lane well behind the lorry and give it sufficient room to complete its turn.
Long articulated vehicles need extra space to turn and frequently straddle or swing out into adjacent lanes to prevent their rear wheels from mounting the kerb or central island. The correct action is to remain in your approach lane but hold well back behind the vehicle, avoiding pulling up alongside it where you could be crushed by the trailer or hidden in blind spots.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Assess intended direction and standard lane positioning rules
Identified that turning right at a roundabout generally requires approach and entry via the right-hand lane.
Highway Code Rule 186 dictates using the right-hand lane when taking an exit to the right, unless road markings direct otherwise.
2
Evaluate the specific road hazard and vehicle dynamics ahead
Recognised that the articulated lorry requires extra road space and will sweep across multiple lanes to complete a right turn.
Long vehicles have a large turning circle and extensive blind spots, causing their trailers to cut corners (off-tracking) across adjacent lanes.
3
Select safe positioning and approach speed
Remain in the right-hand lane but stay well back, yielding the necessary road space without entering the lorry's swept path or blind spots.
Highway Code Rules 187 and 221 advise drivers not to pull up alongside or overtake long vehicles negotiating roundabouts or junctions.

Key Concept

Lane positioning and spacing around long articulated vehicles at multi-lane junctions and roundabouts
Estimated Time:1m 15s
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Topics

Lane Discipline and Positioning

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