How to Use A Roundabout

rex-x

Modnote: Save yourself 705 posts of pain and read this post
http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?p=70800115&postcount=706




there is a battle going on pug306.net about this question, its whether the correct lane is left or right, right is winning but to me its obviously the left please vote

Expert drivers! Roundabout question!

Firstly, sorry about the crap picture, I have to rotate it to make it clearer! If you want to see the roundabout in all its glory, look for NP20 6QB, that is the school in the top of my picture!

Right, have the following roundabout in Cwmbran, it is quite unclear! Everyone does it differently, and its like wackey races there sometimes

Going in the directions of the red arrow, there are two lanes onto the roundabout (neither lane is marked, so no specific left turn only lane) There are 3 exits, we want the 2nd one, so only one lane off.

The question is, would you be in the left hand lane, or right hand lane here?? I say right, cymraegboy says left!

scudzilla

I'd go right, and would be 90% sure i'm right.

I've always gone under the rule, when approaching a roundabout, unless you're taking the first exit then you should be in the Right hand lane.

Although, if i had to use the roundabout a lot i'd sort of straddle the middle so would neither be right or wrong

rex-x

you are badly wrong there http://www.google.ie/imgres?imgurl=http://www.sharoma.com/img/roundabout.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.sharoma.com/roundabout.htm&usg=__a5ealsG3t6H33KuZLWv3Nan7GOY=&h=314&w=434&sz=28&hl=en&start=0&zoom=1&tbnid=JZI1_correV2oM:&tbnh=147&tbnw=187&ei=IQxFTbiYKZKKhQfDrKzBAQ&prev=/images%3Fq%3Droundabouts%2Bcorrect%2Buse%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26safe%3Doff%26client%3Dfirefox-a%26sa%3DN%26rls%3Dorg.mozilla:en-GB:official%26biw%3D1440%26bih%3D749%26tbs%3Disch:1&um=1&itbs=1&iact=hc&vpx=131&vpy=85&dur=41&hovh=191&hovw=264&tx=148&ty=95&oei=IQxFTbiYKZKKhQfDrKzBAQ&esq=1&page=1&ndsp=26&ved=1t:429,r:0,s:0 but case here is that its past straight on which in my eyes makes no difference as if you take the right lane the left is empty as useless?

theteal

I really dont see the debate. Its the second exit, left lane every time, just because it's beyond 12o'clock makes no difference

theteal

scudzilla wrote: »

I've always gone under the rule, when approaching a roundabout, unless you're taking the first exit then you should be in the Right hand lane.

Although, if i had to use the roundabout a lot i'd sort of straddle the middle so would neither be right or wrong

Sorry scudzilla, that's a terrible rule you have there and if you lived here in walkinstown you'd cause an accident/ a lot horn beeping everyday of the week

rex-x

left is losing 4 to one on the original site :rolleyes:

theteal

to be fair, I don't think that's an Irish site and their "highway code" doesn't help the situation

When taking any intermediate exit, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise;

- select the appropriate lane on approach to the roundabout
- you should not normally need to signal on approach
- stay in this lane until you need to alter course to exit the roundabout
- signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want


When there are more than three lanes at the entrance to a roundabout, use the most appropriate lane on approach and through it.

how the fook does a learner decide what's appropriate?

the Irish rules of the road are pretty cut and dry, left lane without doubt

phill106

Omg, I hate you people who get it wrong!
Left lane!

http://vimeo.com/8553732

Ki ki

Anyone who answered "right" should surrender their license to help keep our roads safer.

W.Shakes-Beer

Clearly the left lane. Its an odd roundabout admittedly but its still a roundabout so treat it as any other.


/trots off on high horse :pac:

Absurdum

HERE

Shane732

This is a re-occurring question on boards.ie

I'm linking a thread with a reply from the RSA in relation to taking exits where the second exit is beyond the 180 degrees mark.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055998652

Some of you guys might want to go back and learn the rules of the road!

Shane732

theteal wrote: »

I really dont see the debate. Its the second exit, left lane every time, just because it's beyond 12o'clock makes no difference

rex-x

clearly that exit is before 1 oc though and tbf he sounds like ha hasnt got a notion :pac:

corktina

cwmbran being in Wales (i think) and therefore in the UK, you may take either lane into a roundabout in this case (unless otherwise marked) and exit at that exit. That is because the rules are different over there and whats more people know how to use their indicators and mirrors on roundabouts.

Uk roundabout rules allow you to use either lane on approach if you are going striaght on irrespective of how many lanes there are at the exit.Far more sensible but totally lethel here as most havent a clue how to drive (see some of the answers on here for instance!)

Inbox

Your turning right so eh it's the right lane you should be in.

theteal

Shane732 wrote: »

due to uncontrollable forehead perspiration issues i may have to reevaluate my views on unconventional roundabout lane usage. . .if thems the rules

Bluetonic

Shane732 wrote: »

This is a re-occurring question on boards.ie

I'm linking a thread with a reply from the RSA in relation to taking exits where the second exit is beyond the 180 degrees mark.

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055998652

Some of you guys might want to go back and learn the rules of the road!

Clearly the RSA advice is just that, and NOT a rule of the road.

Ki ki

Ok, so according to the response from the RSA it is more or less stated that one should be using the right hand lane. I just hope I have time to email them for clarity if I find myself in a situation that isn't clearly defined in their rules of the road.

I will from now on, when turning past 12 o'clock, use the right hand lane. Though it feels so wrong. Can I keep my license please?

TurtleFace

In retrospect wacky races sounds a lot more appealing

Mr.David

Right lane......why would it be the left lane?

If basing it on the number of exits on a roundabout, what do you do when you hit a big roundabout with lots of exits that you've not driven over before? Get out and count?:rolleyes:

ted1

left lane. The misses was pulled over by the traffic corp some time back for said offence.

alanmc

If there were no arrows on the lanes, I'd be very uncomfortable using the left left. I'd take the right lane and change into the left lane after the first exit. If everybody followed this, there wouldn't be any confusion. But If there's somebody in the left lane, I've no space to move into. Why would you have two lanes otherwise?

It makes common sense that it's the right lane until you approach your exit. Think of the left lane as your slip road to your exit, and the right lane as the driving lane.

pajor

The Dunkathel roundabout on the way in/out of Cork is pretty much the same lay out.

When on it, going out of Cork with my driving instructor he always told me to take the left lane for that roundabout, even though it seemed like the right lane. He said it was an exception! :pac:

BostonB

I don't get that you should be in the left lane if going off at the 2nd exit. I think that had to make that rule to cater for roundabouts which are two small, for multiple lanes.

If you are going to have multiple lanes on a roundabout it should be big enough for you to change lanes between exits.

There should be one simple rule only. Left lane for next exit only.

peasant

There should be another rule of the road for roundabout construction.

If there are two lanes leading into the roundabout there should be two lanes out of the roundabout as well and at all exits. Helps to alleviate confusion and potential accidents no end.

Shane732

Bluetonic wrote: »

Clearly the RSA advice is just that, and NOT a rule of the road.

Apologies on the poor choice of words.

Are you suggesting that the advice given in the thread I linked is incorrect? Are you suggesting that your advice should be taken above that of the Road Safety Authority?!

If so, then I'm going to stick with the face palm approach today:

PCPhoto

Shane732 wrote: »

Apologies on the poor choice of words.

Are you suggesting that the advice given in the thread I linked is incorrect? Are you suggesting that your advice should be taken above that of the Road Safety Authority?!

pretty much explains Irish drivers attitudes to driving ..... I'll drive the way I drive !

jaffa20

Right lane. Past 12oc and not going straight through. Don't get the reasoning for left lane

**Timbuk2**

Right Lane. This has come up before, and the Driving Test Supervisor from the RSA would agree that it's the right lane.

RSA Driving Test Supervisor wrote:

Dear **name**,

While it is impossible to give a definitive rule on position to be taken at Multi Exit Roundabouts due to their actual layout, size and amount of traffic lanes if any, however as a general rule if taking any Exit between the 8.00am to 1.00pm positions, motorists should approach in the Left Hand Lane, Road Position or as dictated by Road Markings.
If taking any Exit from the 1.pm to 5.pm position motorists should approach in the Right Hand Lane or Position.

Your are correct on your understanding of the procedures to be adopted at Roundabouts in your email.

Your colleagues are not correct in their understanding that they base their approach on the number of exits only and not take into account the layout of the Exits at the Roundabouts.

The above guidelines are for reference only’.

I hope this is of help.

Kind regards,
**name**
Road Safety Authority

SOURCE: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055998652&page=1

jimmyw

theteal wrote: »

I really dont see the debate. Its the second exit, left lane every time, just because it's beyond 12o'clock makes no difference

Ki ki wrote: »

Anyone who answered "right" should surrender their license to help keep our roads safer.

Thats you then, surrender it right now;)

W.Shakes-Beer wrote: »

Clearly the left lane. Its an odd roundabout admittedly but its still a roundabout so treat it as any other.


/trots off on high horse :pac:

Absurdum wrote: »

HERE

Thats how the irish would do it


Would the people who say left explain how do they work out the left lane.Second lane is mostly for the third exit or right turn.Right lane it is.Who is the numpty that put a roundabout there anyway:(.They could not even put markings on it:mad:

thethedev

How the feck does left make sense? The first exit has two lanes going into it, if your in the left lane you're going to collide with people in the right hand lane going left, because theres two fecking lanes.

Its the right hand lane unless the road markings say otherwise.
If in doubt get into the right hand lane and go around again

Slightly OT here but I was always thought that the first car on the roundabout had right of way no matter what lane they were in ????
I'm not sure on this so I only give way, never take it :O

jimmyw wrote: »

Thats you then, surrender it right now;)





Thats how the irish would do it


Would the people who say left explain how do they work out the left lane.Second lane is mostly for the third exit or right turn.Right lane it is.Who is the numpty that put a roundabout there anyway:(.They could not even put markings on it:mad:

corktina

this poll from drivers with an interest in cars just goes to show how bad Irish drivers are....however you look at it, around 50% of drivers are wrong here!

Voodoomelon

I just looked at the results, laughed out loud!

Right lane for me, its past 12 o clock and thats my reasoning. Number of exits means nothing if they're all on the far side of 12.

Shane732

It's amazing to see the results all right.

It does explain why we have so many Skoda drivers in Ireland using the wrong lane though approaching a roundabout!!

rex-x

this is interesting alright, half of Ireland and the uk cannot use a roundabout and the people in charge of road safety are unsure abut the answer :eek:

Inbox

So from the poll we can interpret that more than half the countries drivers are idiots and shouldn't have a licence.

Voodoomelon

phill106 wrote: »

Omg, I hate you people who get it wrong!
Left lane!

http://vimeo.com/8553732

Ki ki wrote: »

Anyone who answered "right" should surrender their license to help keep our roads safer.

I feel these posts should be removed from the front page as it makes first time readers think they're right!

jaffa20

Yeah, i was even doubting myself after reading the first few posts...

I see they have all gone quiet now though:D

Shane732

rex-x wrote: »

this is interesting alright, half of Ireland and the uk cannot use a roundabout and the people in charge of road safety are unsure abut the answer :eek:

I wouldn't say that the people in charge of road safety are unsure about the answer.

The answer is quite clear. I think the response from the RSA is pretty clear. I would imagine that the opening few lines are merely to cover himself off as there is always an exception to the normal rule.

taintabird

[IMG]file:///C:/Users/Ron/AppData/Local/Temp/moz-screenshot.png[/IMG]www.rulesoftheroad.ie/rules-for-driving/junctions-roundabouts/roundabouts.html

Left I say

hi5

Can I see a picture of the roundabout sign approaching the roundabout,then I'll vote.
We dont all have a satallite view of the world:).
Signs should be designed so familiarity with the physical layout is not needed.

R.O.R

taintabird wrote: »

www.rulesoftheroad.ie/rules-for-driving/junctions-roundabouts/roundabouts.html

Left I say

And you get left lane from that, how?

(oh, fixed the hyperlink in the quote above, looks like you link as well as you take roundabouts)

pajor

hi5 wrote: »

Can I see a picture of the roundabout sign approaching the roundabout,then I'll vote.
We dont all have a satallite view of the world:).
Signs should be designed so familiarity with the physical layout is not needed.

No, but we do have a Google Streetview of the world!

The sign on approach to the roundabout gives zero indication on which lane to take and yeah, there are no road markings either which doesn't help.

hi5

Just checked it on streetview,(I tried to embed it but it just brought up the code:o) maybe somone else?
On the sign the exit is at about 2 o clock,so I would take the right lane.

hi5

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&q=Newport+NP20+6QP&sll=53.800651,-4.064941&sspn=11.175283,43.110352&ie=UTF8&hq=&hnear=Newport,+Gwent+NP20+6QP,+United+Kingdom&ll=51.622117,-3.007384&spn=0,0.002631&z=19&layer=c&cbll=51.622086,-3.007641&panoid=0fYZ__LGuvPXRfHj_eB00g&cbp=12,198.3,,0,5

alias no.9

Common sense would dictate that with two lanes onto the roundabout and two lanes off at each exit (as far as I can make out) that you use the left lane for the first exit and the left lane of the second exit and the right lane for the right lane of the second exit and the third exit. Common sense does not always dictate law.

harr

phill106 wrote: »

Omg, I hate you people who get it wrong!
Left lane!

http://vimeo.com/8553732

if going right then its right lane if going left or straight its the left lane,the driver in the clip is in the right lane for third exit

BigEejit

I voted right as well because its after 12 o clock.

complicit

The Left hand lane is the correct lane to be in . If you are in the right hand lane , you will have to change to the left hand lane after passing the exit before that exit . A lot of drivers will take the right lane and then stay there right up until they enter the exit which is wholly incorrect . When two lanes merge into one , the left hand lane ( driving lane ) has priority .

tobsey

taintabird wrote: »

www.rulesoftheroad.ie/rules-for-driving/junctions-roundabouts/roundabouts.html

Left I say

How do you say left after reading that? It clearly says if you're going straight on to use the left lane. Then if you're taking any later exit you use the right lane, i.e. any exit after straight ahead! This does not always mean the third and subsequent exits.

In the situation above be in the right lane and signal right, then indicate left once you pass the first exit and move over to the left while keeping an eye out for the numpties who approached in the left lane.