Roundabout Lane Conflict With a Signalling Minibus
It is 08:10 on a weekday and you approach a two-lane roundabout in town. You intend to take the second exit, straight ahead. You are in the right-hand lane at about 25 km/h. A white minibus is in the left lane, slightly ahead of your front bumper. As it draws level with the first exit, its right indicator begins flashing. The minibus starts to drift toward your lane. On the exit road you intend to use, a pedestrian with a shopping trolley is waiting at a marked crossing. A cyclist is behind you, and a taxi is waiting to enter from the left. The roundabout markings show a dashed line between lanes, but the paint is worn. Your view of the minibus driver's face is blocked by glare. You have not yet entered the roundabout, and the minibus is already circulating.
1. Who has priority if the minibus crosses the dashed line while indicating right?
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Indicating does not create priority. A vehicle changing lanes must do so only when it is safe and must give way to traffic already in the lane it is entering. You are in the right lane, alongside or slightly behind the minibus's front, so the minibus should not cut across you. However, priority does not remove your duty to avoid a collision. If the minibus is already committed and its rear is swinging toward your lane, brake smoothly and let it go rather than hold your line out of principle. Do not accelerate to close the gap. Expect the other driver to make the error, create space, and use the horn only if it prevents a collision.
2. How should you handle the pedestrian at your exit?
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Your exit has a marked crossing and a pedestrian waiting with a trolley. A waiting pedestrian is not yet crossing, so you are not automatically required to stop, but you must approach so that you can stop safely if they step out. Signal right after you pass the first exit, reduce speed before the crossing, and check your mirrors for the cyclist. Do not wave the pedestrian across while your vehicle is still moving or while another lane is not clear. If they begin to cross, stop before the crossing line and give them the whole road. The trolley makes them slower and less able to react, so leave extra margin.
3. What is the risk from the cyclist behind you, and how does it change your braking?
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The cyclist is behind you and may be following closely, especially if you slow suddenly for the pedestrian. Check the mirror before braking, brake progressively rather than sharply, and signal early. Leave enough space in front of you so you can slow gradually instead of stopping abruptly. If you have to stop hard, do it in a straight line and keep the wheel straight; do not swerve toward the cyclist. Your action must be predictable to the vulnerable road user behind as well as safe for the pedestrian ahead.