New driver, having issues with roundabouts. Any help?
Discussion
Greetings, i passed my driving test on the 17th of september and i just got a car on saturday so i have been driving for 4 days. The one issue i am having out of everything is roundabouts, when i was learning to drive i pretty much only went first exit left with my instructor and sometimes ahead. Very rarely we went on bigger rounabouts that had very clear road marking to which location.
However since then i have been struggling with the roundabouts where i live, and considering i have to use them 90% of the time i really want to understand them. They aren't marked the greatest but there are three of them which i could use some advice on.
Number One: I think i have figured this one out, i am coming up in the right hand lane wanting to take the third exit, am i right in saying i do need to be in the third lane, when i pass the second exit i need to quickly skoot over to the first lane on the round about to take the third exit? i am worried about cars in the middle lane also trying to turn right (but they can;t right? the arrows on the floor suggest ahead only?) any advice?
Number Two: So this is a really bad roundabout in my opinion, no markings what so ever. If i want to take the third exit do i need to be in the middle lane or the right lane? i don't really know where the middle lane can go, around or straight on. or both?
Number Three: I think i have this one figured out as well, i believe if im in the right hand lane they expect me to go all the way around, or the exit in the third exit but in the second lane, i need to be in the first lane so i believe being in the first lane of the little two lane road is the correct way to go around to exit in the first lane of the third exit? I'm just worried that someone in the right hand lane will try go ahead at the second exit and crash into me as i am going around. Is this just me being stupid? as im sure they can't go ahead on a round about like that?
Thank you for anyone who responds to this post, i know there is a lot of text here but i really appreciate it.
However since then i have been struggling with the roundabouts where i live, and considering i have to use them 90% of the time i really want to understand them. They aren't marked the greatest but there are three of them which i could use some advice on.
Number One: I think i have figured this one out, i am coming up in the right hand lane wanting to take the third exit, am i right in saying i do need to be in the third lane, when i pass the second exit i need to quickly skoot over to the first lane on the round about to take the third exit? i am worried about cars in the middle lane also trying to turn right (but they can;t right? the arrows on the floor suggest ahead only?) any advice?
Number Two: So this is a really bad roundabout in my opinion, no markings what so ever. If i want to take the third exit do i need to be in the middle lane or the right lane? i don't really know where the middle lane can go, around or straight on. or both?
Number Three: I think i have this one figured out as well, i believe if im in the right hand lane they expect me to go all the way around, or the exit in the third exit but in the second lane, i need to be in the first lane so i believe being in the first lane of the little two lane road is the correct way to go around to exit in the first lane of the third exit? I'm just worried that someone in the right hand lane will try go ahead at the second exit and crash into me as i am going around. Is this just me being stupid? as im sure they can't go ahead on a round about like that?
Thank you for anyone who responds to this post, i know there is a lot of text here but i really appreciate it.
Multi lane roundabouts vary in their markings and priorities so pay attention to road markings, if you do that you'll already be better than most drivers! 
As a general rule, if you are going right you need to be in the right-hand lane on approach (you already know this, I know!). What tends to happen next is that for every major exit you go past, the traffic in the left most lane leaves the roundabout and everybody still on the roundabout moves to the outside by one lane, so that you are in the left most lane in time for your exit without having to cross multiple lanes in one manouvre to get there. Often, on large roundabouts on dual carriageways for instance, there is a clear priority i.e. the majority of traffic is continuing along the 'A' road and taking the same exit. There are often two lanes on and two lanes off in this case.
A good tip from my instructor is if ever you aren't sure on a roundabout, you don't know which exit to take, you have gone past the exit or your exit is coming uip and you aren't in the correct lane to leave the roundabout, there is no harm at all in continuing around the roundabout for a second time, moving back to the right hand lane.
As a general rule, if you are going right you need to be in the right-hand lane on approach (you already know this, I know!). What tends to happen next is that for every major exit you go past, the traffic in the left most lane leaves the roundabout and everybody still on the roundabout moves to the outside by one lane, so that you are in the left most lane in time for your exit without having to cross multiple lanes in one manouvre to get there. Often, on large roundabouts on dual carriageways for instance, there is a clear priority i.e. the majority of traffic is continuing along the 'A' road and taking the same exit. There are often two lanes on and two lanes off in this case.
A good tip from my instructor is if ever you aren't sure on a roundabout, you don't know which exit to take, you have gone past the exit or your exit is coming uip and you aren't in the correct lane to leave the roundabout, there is no harm at all in continuing around the roundabout for a second time, moving back to the right hand lane.
Here is the link for the first roundabout, follow the road up for the second and third. all three are on the same road.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/preview#!q=bradford&...
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/preview#!q=bradford&...
billymcgears said:
Here is the link for the first roundabout, follow the road up for the second and third. all three are on the same road.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/preview#!q=bradford&...
I did the same as you as I followed the route on street viewhttps://www.google.co.uk/maps/preview#!q=bradford&...
Number 1. You are doing it correctly. Check your left mirror (and over your shoulder too if you're not 100% certain) just before you move left to take the exit. If there's someone there, do another lap of the roundabout and try again. Don't worry about crossing the lane markings as you move left, much better to wait a couple of car lengths to make sure it's clear before moving across.
Number 2. Third exit is to the right. Unless there are other signs or markings on approach, that means right hand lane. All three lanes are for ahead. Don't forget that left mirror before moving across to make sure there is no one coming round next to you. Don't use the middle lane to turn right as you WILL collect someone going ahead from the right hand lane.
Number 3. As above reference your positioning. Use the right hand lane to turn right, moving left if safe to do so after the exit prior to the one your taking.
Try to avoid being next to anyone on a roundabout, especially at the points they might cut across you to take a different exit. Try harder if it's a lorry. Try even harder if it's a foreign lorry!
Number 2. Third exit is to the right. Unless there are other signs or markings on approach, that means right hand lane. All three lanes are for ahead. Don't forget that left mirror before moving across to make sure there is no one coming round next to you. Don't use the middle lane to turn right as you WILL collect someone going ahead from the right hand lane.
Number 3. As above reference your positioning. Use the right hand lane to turn right, moving left if safe to do so after the exit prior to the one your taking.
Try to avoid being next to anyone on a roundabout, especially at the points they might cut across you to take a different exit. Try harder if it's a lorry. Try even harder if it's a foreign lorry!
"helpful" lane markings on roundabouts are often anything but; it's quite common for lanes to split or merge in the bit where the markings stop, which is extremely confusing. Generally most of the users of the roundabout "know" which lane to go in, so watch what other people do too.
If that fails, do it the French way. Put the car wherever you like, but make it look like you meant it.
If that fails, do it the French way. Put the car wherever you like, but make it look like you meant it.
Op, my only helpful advice is to never "quickly scoot" anywhere on a roundabout. Even if there are arrows, there is always a muppet. Someone will turn right from the left lane. Somone else will go straight from the right lane of a 3 laner.
If you're passing eits and merging out towards yours, do just that - merge, nice and gradual. That way, if the bloke in your left blind spot is a tit and stays on, you don't end up with a 50-50 claim (most roundabout accidents go 50-50).
Also, roundabouts are the one eay thing as long as you're not in a hurry. If in doubt, just go round again - as long as you're not in the left lane
If you're passing eits and merging out towards yours, do just that - merge, nice and gradual. That way, if the bloke in your left blind spot is a tit and stays on, you don't end up with a 50-50 claim (most roundabout accidents go 50-50).
Also, roundabouts are the one eay thing as long as you're not in a hurry. If in doubt, just go round again - as long as you're not in the left lane
Islands are a nightmare these days, even as a very experienced driver/rider I find the modern trend to "locally" decide road positioning very unhelpful.
All I can suggest is take your time, drive calmly and politely, and by doing this, even if you find yourself "out of position", somebody will usually accomodate you, but please indicate your desired intention, give them a chance.
Apart from that, I suggest an advanced driving course for you, it doesn't really matter which one, the two main are IAM & Rospa, both excellent value, you'll need to ask locally to find out which bunch are best in your area.
The advanced course is the closest thing to experience that anyone can teach you.
All I can suggest is take your time, drive calmly and politely, and by doing this, even if you find yourself "out of position", somebody will usually accomodate you, but please indicate your desired intention, give them a chance.
Apart from that, I suggest an advanced driving course for you, it doesn't really matter which one, the two main are IAM & Rospa, both excellent value, you'll need to ask locally to find out which bunch are best in your area.
The advanced course is the closest thing to experience that anyone can teach you.
billymcgears said:
The one issue i am having out of everything is roundabouts, when i was learning to drive i pretty much only went first exit left with my instructor and sometimes ahead. Very rarely we went on bigger rounabouts that had very clear road marking to which location.
Thank you for anyone who responds to this post, i know there is a lot of text here but i really appreciate it.
An Approved Driving Instructor should have taught you to cope with a whole range of hazards, but yours does not seem to have done that. Why not have an hour or two with a decent ADI who knows the area? Not the person who taught you to drive.Thank you for anyone who responds to this post, i know there is a lot of text here but i really appreciate it.
R0G said:
If it goes to both exits then yes
What gives you the impression that the middle lane goes to both the second and third exits? It looks to me the same as it does to Distant, as the second exit has three lanes and the third exit has one lane. There don't seem to be any lane markings or helpful signs.SK425 said:
What gives you the impression that the middle lane goes to both the second and third exits? It looks to me the same as it does to Distant, as the second exit has three lanes and the third exit has one lane. There don't seem to be any lane markings or helpful signs.
I must be looking at a different one than the one being discussed !!R0G said:
SK425 said:
What gives you the impression that the middle lane goes to both the second and third exits? It looks to me the same as it does to Distant, as the second exit has three lanes and the third exit has one lane. There don't seem to be any lane markings or helpful signs.
I must be looking at a different one than the one being discussed !!The only sign I could find.
Approach.
Second exit.
Third exit.
Looks like lane 3 on approach for the third exit to me.
Thanks guys for the replies and comments you have been a great help. I went out today and i took the roundabouts and everything was flawless. I have the confidence to tackle these now
I had another question though (i'm sure it wont be the last either) At this junction which is a major junction i just wanted to make sure i was actually looking at it and understanding it correctly before i go and do it.
I want to turn right and go down manchester road "the three lanes" am i right in saying i need to be in the first lane of the two right hand lanes? I.e green lines.
I believe the red line can also go down manchester road but they also have the ability to go right again?
The yellow lines indicate traffic that will move when i do, and the blue lines represent traffic in the left hand lanes going ahead.
Can anyone confirm? I'm wanting to head down manchester road from the green/red lanes.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/preview#!q=Rooley+La...
I had another question though (i'm sure it wont be the last either
) At this junction which is a major junction i just wanted to make sure i was actually looking at it and understanding it correctly before i go and do it.I want to turn right and go down manchester road "the three lanes" am i right in saying i need to be in the first lane of the two right hand lanes? I.e green lines.
I believe the red line can also go down manchester road but they also have the ability to go right again?
The yellow lines indicate traffic that will move when i do, and the blue lines represent traffic in the left hand lanes going ahead.
Can anyone confirm? I'm wanting to head down manchester road from the green/red lanes.
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/preview#!q=Rooley+La...
This is how I see the roundabout; Left lane for left and ahead, middle for straight ahead, right hand lane for right (but some my try to go straight.) Watch out for where the green and yellow line cross.
Always try to avoid being alongside someone on a roundabout, let them get slightly ahead of you so if they do change lanes without looking they won't hit you
Always try to avoid being alongside someone on a roundabout, let them get slightly ahead of you so if they do change lanes without looking they won't hit you
Looks like you'll have a right turn traffic light
I would imagine without seeing signs that both lanes go shred you want to so if in the left of 2 lanes then be in the left when you reach the road you're turning into. It's confusing when you have 2 lanes going into 3 but the 3 lanes are probably for the traffic coming from your left when going straight over the junction.
It doesn't sound like you do but never drive around the outside of a roundabout looking for your exit. If unsure it is better to get in the right lane, loop around the roundabout more than once if necessary and start to move across lane by lane junction by junction ahead of the exit - general principle and rule if thumb.
And good luck!!!
I would imagine without seeing signs that both lanes go shred you want to so if in the left of 2 lanes then be in the left when you reach the road you're turning into. It's confusing when you have 2 lanes going into 3 but the 3 lanes are probably for the traffic coming from your left when going straight over the junction.
It doesn't sound like you do but never drive around the outside of a roundabout looking for your exit. If unsure it is better to get in the right lane, loop around the roundabout more than once if necessary and start to move across lane by lane junction by junction ahead of the exit - general principle and rule if thumb.
And good luck!!!
Regardless of lane markings, always keep your wits about you and keep checking mirrors etc.
As said earlier in the thread, some roundabouts' markings get ignored.
For example, there is a roundabout near me that has 3 lanes going into it. One left turn, one straight over and the other right turn. All clearly marked.
Straight over leads to a dual carriageway, so what people do is use the.middle lane as well as the right hand lane to go straight over. This reduces the queue in rush hour.
As said earlier in the thread, some roundabouts' markings get ignored.
For example, there is a roundabout near me that has 3 lanes going into it. One left turn, one straight over and the other right turn. All clearly marked.
Straight over leads to a dual carriageway, so what people do is use the.middle lane as well as the right hand lane to go straight over. This reduces the queue in rush hour.
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