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This is a problem with all multi-lane layouts and exacerbated by drivers' behaviour. The problem is road users new to the road do not know which lane to be in

This is a problem with all multi-lane layouts and exacerbated by drivers' behaviour. The problem is road users new to the road do not know which lane to be in already and they are pressured to go fast. The instant it looks like they've chosen a lane, a driver from behind who is familiar with the layout closes the gap in the other lane, trapping them. This can be mitigated a bit by the first user having the confidence to slow down and straddle lanes until they are sure of the correct lane, but it's surprising how quickly such opportunities are missed. The real problem is familiarity with lane layouts allows the road to operate at far higher capacity then normally possible and with less maintenance. They are squeezed to their limits in morning rush hours comprised of mostly familiar users. You'll even see users observing essentially invisible road markings because they're doing it from memory. No chance of you're unfamiliar with the road. Roads start to fail way before 100% capacity, but these lane markings allow that to be squeezed further during rush hours.

sfn42 3y ago
It's not a big problem to be in the wrong lane. You just change lanes like any other road. And like any other road, when you change lanes, it's your responsibility to make sure the lane you're merging into has space for you.
- devnull3 3y ago
  Driving schools in UK teach that changing lanes on a roundabout is unsafe. Infact, in a driving test doing so will result into a failure because most people will not follow safety checks and signalling. If you are in a wrong lane, the safest thing is to continue on it, exit the roundabout and comeback again or go around the roundabout.
  - sfn42 3y ago
    You can't exit from the inner lane without changing lanes.
- globular-toast 3y ago
  Perhaps you've never driven so I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. Cars can't move sideways. To change lane you have to go forwards. There is no "just change lane". Of course you could just not change lane, to the wrong way and safely correct your course later. This is preferable but people tend to get stressed out in those situations which is also bad for safety. Not to mention that a safe but ineffective road hasn't really achieved much.
  - sfn42 3y ago
    Oh yeah I was totally suggesting that you should stop the car, turn all 4 wheels 90 degrees and drive sideways into the next lane. That is exactly what I was suggesting. /s I won't bother trying to expand on my comment to you, you're clearly not someone I'll be able to communicate comfortably with.

sfn42 3y ago

It's not a big problem to be in the wrong lane. You just change lanes like any other road. And like any other road, when you change lanes, it's your responsibility to make sure the lane you're merging into has space for you.

devnull3 3y ago
Driving schools in UK teach that changing lanes on a roundabout is unsafe. Infact, in a driving test doing so will result into a failure because most people will not follow safety checks and signalling. If you are in a wrong lane, the safest thing is to continue on it, exit the roundabout and comeback again or go around the roundabout.
- sfn42 3y ago
  You can't exit from the inner lane without changing lanes.
globular-toast 3y ago
Perhaps you've never driven so I'll give you the benefit of the doubt. Cars can't move sideways. To change lane you have to go forwards. There is no "just change lane". Of course you could just not change lane, to the wrong way and safely correct your course later. This is preferable but people tend to get stressed out in those situations which is also bad for safety. Not to mention that a safe but ineffective road hasn't really achieved much.
- sfn42 3y ago
  Oh yeah I was totally suggesting that you should stop the car, turn all 4 wheels 90 degrees and drive sideways into the next lane. That is exactly what I was suggesting. /s I won't bother trying to expand on my comment to you, you're clearly not someone I'll be able to communicate comfortably with.