So on Wednesday evening I had to go to a RoADAR committee meeting. I set off in a sensible and advanced driving mood, on my way towards Swindon. Soon after turning out of my road, I come to a mini-roundabout with 3 exits. It's at the top of the hill, my approach, and the one opposite, arriving uphill, the first exit left being on the flat. So as you arrive, you can see clearly to the left, but not so well straight ahead.
Here's the mini r/a in question. I am arriving from 8 o'clock, like the first red car, intending to follow the same path as the one already on the r/a.
As I arrived at the r/a, so did a lady in a small Peugeot from the exit opposite (4 o'clock on the map), indicating right. We both stopped, then I decided I would be the one to be assertive and go first. I set off, and started driving round the r/a.
What happened next took me by surprise. Without looking in my direction, the lady in the Peugeot turned sharp right, and drove across in front of me (the wrong side of the r/a). I braked (not emergency braking, just enough to leave her room), and she drove off down the exit to my left. As she came past, she looked to her left and noticed me. She gave me a pitying look and shook her head disapprovingly, then carried on her way. I have to admit I did consider following her at this point, and taking her to task for her rather strange interpretation of the Highway Code, but in the end I just laughed (somewhat hollowly), and proceeded on my way also. I'd love to know what the chap behind me thought
Did I do something wrong? How come she (apparently) completely failed to see me? Could I have done something differently, or should I just put it down to experience?
- that she genuinely didn't see you.