How to signal at this roundabout? (3 exits)

LeMaverick

Hi all, got my test next week in Sligo (highest pass rate and joint shortest waiting time so seems like there's no better place!).

Just wonder how you all would recommend signalling at this roundabout - coming from the South (bottom of the map) and taking the first exit (North/top of the map).

I know to take the left lane, but I've had mixed responses about whether to signal left on approach (since it's technically the first exit) or to signal when about half way through (pretend there's a left exit since the desired one is almost at 12 o'clock).

All the RSA sites seem to only talk about roundabouts with 4 or more exits.

Thanks!

Morpork

Don't signal on approach because you're not turning left. You're "turning left" when you're taking the exit, so you signal before the exit.

Edit: Good luck! ^_^

spurious

I would signal left on approach and keep it on all through until I left the roundabout but I've only recently passed the test, so maybe I'm over zealous.

surfsupp

Just did a test in the last 2 weeks, for a fact signal left on approach!! Otherwise grade 2 tick...

Mint Sauce

Using the clock face rule, if taking the first exit, signal left as normal on the approch, keeping in the left lane. If second exit signal right on approach, keeping in the right lane, and signal left after the first exit.

Used the exact same roundabout during my test, and during every lesson.

robbie_998

i would treat that as if i was going straight and not signal until i was on the actual roundabout

the reason i say that is because on the roundabout itself yes you do go left but even for the first exit you still turn right again (round-a-bout) and then left again.

try imagine another exit there on the left.

but i would not indicate when on the road up to the roundabout

treat it as going straight !

Mint Sauce

Morpork wrote: »

Don't signal on approach because you're not turning left. You're "turning left" when you're taking the exit, so you signal before the exit.

Edit: Good luck! ^_^

Its the first exit though, regardless of its position, you still signal for it on approach.

robbie_998

irish-stew wrote: »

Using the clock face rule, if taking the first exit, signal left as normal on the approch, keeping in the left lane. If second exit signal right on approach, keeping in the right lane, and signal left after the first exit.

Used the exact same roundabout during my test, and during every lesson.

if he does that here the indicator will knock off half way around the roundabout !

Mint Sauce

robbie_998 wrote: »

if he does that here the indicator will knock off half way around the roundabout !

It only takes less than a second to put the indicater back on if it does knock off.

I used the same roundabout in all my lessons, and in my two tests, not always coming for the bottom as it is in the picture, but was told this was how I was to approach it, and to put the indicater back on if it does knock off, and to remember to switch it of manually after leaveing the exit, as it may not turn off due to the straightness of the turn.

LeMaverick

Thanks for all the replies guys. I'm going to go with irish-stew's advice since (s)he used the exact same roundabout and I'm assuming picked up no bad marks.

irish-stew wrote: »

Using the clock face rule, if taking the first exit, signal left as normal on the approch, keeping in the left lane. If second exit signal right on approach, keeping in the right lane, and signal left after the first exit.

Used the exact same roundabout during my test, and during every lesson.

Thanks for that. Mind if I ask where you did the hill start, turnabout, and left reverse?

robbie_998 wrote: »

if he does that here the indicator will knock off half way around the roundabout !

I've always just assumed if this happens you just knock it on again ASAP?

surfsupp

Sligo notorious for roundabout fails. Testers & instructors seem to completely ignore the RSA rules with regard to roundabouts in the town. On any roundabout the rules of the road apply:
1st exit, left lane on approach, signalling left on approach
2nd exit left lane on approach, no signal until you're passing the 1st exit, then signal left
3rd & subsequent exits, right lane on approach, signalling right on approach, signal left as you're passing the exit before the one you want to take. Simples!
The orientation of the roads on the roundabout doesn't matter a fiddlers, 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc. still come in that order.

robbie_998

irish-stew wrote: »

It only takes less than a second to put the indicater back on if it does knock off.

I used the same roundabout in all my lessons, and in my two tests, not always coming for the bottom as it is in the picture, but was told this was how I was to approach it, and to put the indicater back on if it does knock off, and to remember to switch it of manually after leaveing the exit, as it may not turn off due to the straightness of the turn.

ok so looking at the picture there now lets pretend there is no exit and the top and you are coming from the bottom and taking the first exit which is actually to the right.... are you putting your indicator on "left" before even on the roundabout even though you are actually going right ?

just because its the first exit does not mean "left"

indicators are there to indicate to people your direction of travel

the way your making it out here is that your indicators are numbers for what exit you want to take like exit 1, 2 or 3. if that was the case then there would be numbers at the back of your car not orange lights.


im just using the simple stuff here.

when i go to a traffic light and want to go left i indicate left

when i want to go right i indicate right

when i got straight i dont indicate because im not turning



unless its possible that for this instance for this roundabout that you can actually do either and it will be fine ???

surfsupp

robbie_998 wrote: »

i would treat that as if i was going straight and not signal until i was on the actual roundabout

the reason i say that is because on the roundabout itself yes you do go left but even for the first exit you still turn right again (round-a-bout) and then left again.

try imagine another exit there on the left.

but i would not indicate when on the road up to the roundabout

treat it as going straight !

Imagine all you want, there is no exit on the left,
Grade 1 tick for misleading information.... (same as I got in my test)

LeMaverick

surfsupp wrote: »

Sligo notorious for roundabout fails. Testers & instructors seem to completely ignore the RSA rules with regard to roundabouts in the town. On any roundabout the rules of the road apply:
1st exit, left lane on approach, signalling left on approach
2nd exit left lane on approach, no signal until you're passing the 1st exit, then signal left
3rd & subsequent exits, right lane on approach, signalling right on approach, signal left as you're passing the exit before the one you want to take. Simples!
The orientation of the roads on the roundabout doesn't matter a fiddlers, 1st, 2nd, 3rd etc. still come in that order.

While I agree with your first 2 points, I believe if the 3rd exit was before 12 o'clock you would still stay in the left lane and not indicate right.
(Although that would be a very dense roundabout)

surfsupp

robbie_998 wrote: »

ok so looking at the picture there now lets pretend there is no exit and the top and you are coming from the bottom and taking the first exit which is actually to the right.... are you putting your indicator on "left" before even on the roundabout even though you are actually going right ?

just because its the first exit does not mean "left"

indicators are there to indicate to people your direction of travel

the way your making it out here is that your indicators are numbers for what exit you want to take like exit 1, 2 or 3. if that was the case then there would be numbers at the back of your car not orange lights.


when i go to a traffic light and want to go left i indicate left

when i want to go right i indicate right

when i got straight i dont indicate because im not turning



unless its possible that for this instance for this roundabout that you can actually do either and it will be fine ???

You should actually be able to do either provided you approach in the correct lane it's only a grade 1 which doesn't count towards your result!
im just using the simple stuff here.

robbie_998

surfsupp wrote: »

Imagine all you want, there is no exit on the left,
Grade 1 tick for misleading information.... (same as I got in my test)

exactly... so i am going straight ?

so i dont indicate left before hitting the roundabout cos im going straight ?


i am looking at that and i think no matter what way you indicate its gonna be right because your not really doing anything wrong

surfsupp

LeMaverick wrote: »

While I agree with your first 2 points, I believe if the 3rd exit was before 12 o'clock you would still stay in the left lane and not indicate right.
(Although that would be a very dense roundabout)

"Roundabouts don't have clocks" is what I was taught !!

surfsupp

robbie_998 wrote: »

exactly... so i am going straight ?

so i dont indicate left before hitting the roundabout cos im going straight ?


i am looking at that and i think no matter what way you indicate its gonna be right because your not really doing anything wrong

It's your 1st exit, approach left lane, signal left on approach, signal again if knocks off half way round.

LeMaverick

robbie_998 wrote: »

i am looking at that and i think no matter what way you indicate its gonna be right because your not really doing anything wrong

I'm also thinking this now. As long as you're in the left lane you have to be taking the first exit since you'd take the right lane for any other exit.

Also, I think the problem with signals is if they're misleading. But if you do signal left on approach here what else could you possibly mean?

surfsupp

Very best of luck in the test BTW, it's not as hard as you'd imagine.
They do love giving grade 2's for progress on the straight tho!!

Hot Pants Jamie

HI stay in left lane, but only indicate left halfway thru the rounabount for the first exit left. it makes no sense in indicatating left, when u are already in the proper lane, and with all roundabouts u approach it by turning left.

robbie_998

LeMaverick wrote: »

I'm also thinking this now. As long as you're in the left lane you have to be taking the first exit since you'd take the right lane for any other exit.

Also, I think the problem with signals is if they're misleading. But if you do signal left on approach here what else could you possibly mean?

i just had a quick look at the street view of that roundabout and can see 2 entry ways before the first exit on the left (one to a field with a gate and the second to the house)

would they take much effect ?

could they technically be administered as exits ?

im trying to ask as many questions as possible here to try get the best result for the OP ! so there is no wrong doing

LeMaverick

surfsupp wrote: »

Very best of luck in the test BTW, it's not as hard as you'd imagine.
They do love giving grade 2's for progress on the straight tho!!

Thanks! I am imaging it to be pretty hard, but after recently discovering it's just 30-40 mins (first thought it was nearer 60) I'm sure it'll be over before I know it!

Ironically enough, progress it the only thing I need work on! Should be all good though.

whydoibother?

I indicate left before I got onto the roundabout. I would approach in the left lane.

LeMaverick

robbie_998 wrote: »

i just had a quick look at the street view of that roundabout and can see 2 entry ways before the first exit on the left (one to a field with a gate and the second to the house)

would they take much effect ?

could they technically be administered as exits ?

im trying to ask as many questions as possible here to try get the best result for the OP ! so there is no wrong doing

Good points, really appreciate the help.

Would the fact that there are diagonal white lines (not sure of the technical term) the whole way across in front of those entry ways until the first exit offset what you're saying though?

Morpork

I know this roundabout has a an exit to the left, but I still think the same rules apply to Maverick's roundabout.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rsdaSTOkWk

I feel that you should signal on approach to the exit, not on approach to the roundabout because if you signal on approach to the roundabout it seems too early. If you pretend that it's not a roundabout. Remove the yield road markings. When would you signal?

Mint Sauce

LeMaverick wrote: »

Thanks for all the replies guys. I'm going to go with irish-stew's advice since (s)he used the exact same roundabout and I'm assuming picked up no bad marks.



Thanks for that. Mind if I ask where you did the hill start, turnabout, and left reverse?


I've always just assumed if this happens you just knock it on again ASAP?

He



From memory my two tests (different examiner each time) I approached from the north both times. Left lane, no signal, then signaled left for the second exit after the exit for the retail park.

Hill starts were done on gallows hill, and here (i think)

Turn in the road and reverse around the corner were done around some of roads around the green square. Although was told sometimes the examiner did like to pick some of the roads around Carraroe (if you know area).

For both tests from memory I turned right out of the test centre, onto the old N4, then on to the duel carriage way heading towards town (I remember this part as I got a mark for progress/hesiation on joining the DC as there was traffic heading towards town on it in the morning of the first test), turned off at the next juntion into Caltragh for the turn in the road and and reverse around corner. Hill starts as above, before heading back towards that roundabout on the Pearse Rd from the north, on to the old N4 at the next roundabout, and then left into the test centre.

robbie_998

LeMaverick wrote: »

Good points, really appreciate the help.

Would the fact that there are diagonal white lines (not sure of the technical term) the whole way across in front of those entry ways until the first exit offset what you're saying though?

it was i had the thought if i owned that field or house and was going to go into them then what way would i indicate.... i would indicate left on approach to the roundabout to go into my field or house.

no other way of doing it as far as i can see !

like im not familiar with the area by any means but what if there was a driver behind you and you indicate left going towards the roundabout and he thinks your going to either of those places and he overtakes you but instead you actually go straight ?

aahhh theres a million possibilities !

LeMaverick

irish-stew wrote: »

Hill starts were done on gallows hill, and here (i think)

Practiced on both of those Also been practicing here (going South), which is a bit worse because once you pull off you have to stop almost right away at the T junction which is an even worse hill start in itself.

irish-stew wrote: »

Turn in the road and reverse around the corner were done around some of roads around the green square. Although was told sometimes the examiner did like to pick some of the roads around Carraroe (if you know area).

Plenty of practice there too! Feeling very optimistic now haha.
Can't imagine what Carraroe roads they would pick.

Have also heard they often pick here (reversing from North-West to South) which I find insane as it's almost impossible to get 30ft clearance with how busy it always is.

irish-stew wrote: »

For both tests from memory I turned right out of the test centre, onto the old N4, then on to the duel carriage way heading towards town (I remember this part as I got a mark for progress/hesiation on joining the DC as there was traffic heading towards town on it in the morning of the first test), turned off at the next juntion into Caltragh for the turn in the road and and reverse around corner. Hill starts as above, before heading back towards that roundabout on the Pearse Rd from the north, on to the old N4 at the next roundabout, and then left into the test centre.

That sounds like a great route, fingers crossed I get something like that. Was that really 30-40 mins? No town centre driving? Have my test starting at 12:45 so expecting fair amount of traffic and pedestrians.

Mint Sauce

LeMaverick wrote: »

Plenty of practice there too! Feeling very optimistic now haha.
Can't imagine what Carraroe roads they would pick.

Some of the roads around the church (opp Dunnes), and past the Goverment buildings heading towards Aldi (or is it Lidl). One of the roads there (near the church) its a safer to take a 4 point turn, rather than a risky 3 point turn for the turn in the road.

LeMaverick wrote: »

That sounds like a great route, fingers crossed I get something like that. Was that really 30-40 mins? No town centre driving? Have my test starting at 12:45 so expecting fair amount of traffic and pedestrians.

The driving part lasted less than 30 minutes. The rest was questions in the office and checks on the car. You wont get as many on the road that time. DC will be quieter, and less around residential road as school run will be finished. Unlike mine.

LeMaverick

irish-stew wrote: »

Some of the roads around the church (opp Dunnes), and past the Goverment buildings heading towards Aldi (or is it Lidl). One of the roads there (near the church) its a safer to take a 4 point turn, rather than a risky 3 point turn for the turn in the road.

Ah, by any chance do you mean 'Cranmore'? I figured we were talking about Carraroe out towards the test centre.
Guessing this is the place where it's safer to take a 4 point turn near the church? Done a few there.

irish-stew wrote: »

The driving part lasted less than 30 minutes. The rest was questions in the office and checks on the car. You wont get as many on the road that time. DC will be quieter, and less around residential road as school run will be finished. Unlike mine.

I never even thought about the 30-40 mins including everything, I thought it was 30-40 on the road! Outlook more promising than ever!

Good points too, I was just thinking of people on lunch break, but obviously it's still better than a later rush hour.

Mint Sauce

Sorry, yes it's cranmore. Thats the road I was thinking as well.

LeMaverick

irish-stew wrote: »

Sorry, yes it's cranmore. Thats the road I was thinking as well.

Great, thanks a lot for the help!

Will update here on whether or not I get a mark for indicating on approach to the roundabout if I have to take that route.

J_R

Hi,

You do not signal on approach, but at 9 0'clock signal left.

Mint Sauce

robbie_998 wrote: »

it was i had the thought if i owned that field or house and was going to go into them then what way would i indicate.... i would indicate left on approach to the roundabout to go into my field or house.

no other way of doing it as far as i can see !

like im not familiar with the area by any means but what if there was a driver behind you and you indicate left going towards the roundabout and he thinks your going to either of those places and he overtakes you but instead you actually go straight ?

aahhh theres a million possibilities !

If you were not familar with the area you would not be aware of the gateway. You would see the roundabout sign on the aproach, one turn going straight ahead, and the other turn going into the retail park, the turn going straight ahead is the first exit, there fore you signal on approach to show you are taking the first exit.

In addition, the gateway on the roundabout is blocked off with overgrowth.

J_R

Hi,

I followed a car through that roundabout a few years ago. The driver did not signal on approach but at the 9 0'clock position.

The car driver was the then RSA Chief Tester of Ireland. (since retired)

Good enough for hime, good enough for me.

robbie_998

irish-stew wrote: »

robbie_998 wrote: »

it was i had the thought if i owned that field or house and was going to go into them then what way would i indicate.... i would indicate left on approach to the roundabout to go into my field or house.

no other way of doing it as far as i can see !

like im not familiar with the area by any means but what if there was a driver behind you and you indicate left going towards the roundabout and he thinks your going to either of those places and he overtakes you but instead you actually go straight ?

aahhh theres a million possibilities !

If you were not familar with the area you would not be aware of the gateway. You would see the roundabout sign on the aproach, one turn going straight ahead, and the other turn going into the retail park, the turn going straight ahead is the first exit, there fore you signal on approach to show you are taking the first exit.

In addition, the gateway on the roundabout is blocked off with overgrowth.

So what if I want to go left into the field ?

Mint Sauce

robbie_998 wrote: »

So what if I want to go left into the field ?

Signal left.

robbie_998

Ok so.......

Op only indicate when you are on the roundabout for that exit and not on the approach

LeMaverick

Alright then, after further thought and reading, I'll be signalling at 9 o'clock.

Will update here if I do that route.

Marks Motoring

On that roundabout in the picture you must indicate left on approach, failing to do so will incur a blue tick. That is a promise, I find it sad but not surprising the amount of people in here who say you shouldnt.
Sadly 8\10 driver s think their above average.

Use the 12 o clock rule (unless the approach lanes are arrowed in which case follow the appropriate arrow for your exit)
Best of luck on your test.........

Marks Motoring

J_R wrote: »

Hi,

I followed a car through that roundabout a few years ago. The driver did not signal on approach but at the 9 0'clock position.

The car driver was the then RSA Chief Tester of Ireland. (since retired)

Good enough for hime, good enough for me.

Please pm me his name, I would like to ask him that!

Damokc

signal on approach as you must signal as to which lane you are going to use too,even if your in the lane already. my driving lesson guy told me always signal to which lane your using.

**Timbuk2**

Damokc wrote: »

signal on approach as you must signal as to which lane you are going to use too,even if your in the lane already. my driving lesson guy told me always signal to which lane your using.

No, that is not correct.

If you were going straight on (12 o clock), on a standard 4 exit roundabout, you would be in the left lane, but signalling left would give a misleading impression that you are turning left. This may result in a car that's waiting to enter the roundabout from the 9 o clock position to think that you will actually turn left.

You signal to CHANGE lanes, and signal if you are going left or right, and of course before you leave the roundabout, but you do not need to signal to emphasize what lane you are in - other cars will guess that you are in the left lane from the fact that your car is actually in the left lane

Spook80

I'm surprised how much the term right and wrong is thrown around here.
Both ways are technically right by the rules of the road although i believe the correct method is to indicate at the 9 o clock position, on approach to the exit you're taking.
I can't argue with those who have taken this roundabout during the test and claim they've had marks against them but whichever way you do it i believe when you get a number of years driving experience you'll realize common sense takes over.
To sum up; whether or not there is a left turn, you are going straight ahead and indicating before your exit is best.

Damokc

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

No, that is not correct.

If you were going straight on (12 o clock), on a standard 4 exit roundabout, you would be in the left lane, but signalling left would give a misleading impression that you are turning left. This may result in a car that's waiting to enter the roundabout from the 9 o clock position to think that you will actually turn left.

You signal to CHANGE lanes, and signal if you are going left or right, and of course before you leave the roundabout, but you do not need to signal to emphasize what lane you are in - other cars will guess that you are in the left lane from the fact that your car is actually in the left lane

there is no entrance on the said round about, obviously you wouldn't signal left if your not taking the first exit. sorry if my post wasn't clear.
what i was trying to say is that you always signal for lanes too.but you would obviously cancel your lane change signal before you enter the roundabout.sorry again for being unclear

LeMaverick

To everybody suggesting signalling at 9 o'clock:

If this exit was at 9 o'clock or even 10 o'clock I would definitely signal on approach, however this one looks more like 11 o'clock.

So what do you think the technical cut-off point is? I.e. At what o'clock does the first exit have to be for you to not signal on approach?

J_R

LeMaverick wrote: »

To everybody suggesting signalling at 9 o'clock:

If this exit was at 9 o'clock or even 10 o'clock I would definitely signal on approach, however this one looks more like 11 o'clock.

So what do you think the technical cut-off point is? I.e. At what o'clock does the first exit have to be for you to not signal on approach?

Hi,

As a few posters have said, its no big deal where exactly you indicate. (Provided it is a left indicator)

However, the overseer or headman of all things relating to the driving test, such as test routes, marking guidelines etc etc signalled at approximately 9 0'clock so I would advise signalling at that position.

You will definitely, 100% certainty NOT be marked if you do.

MascotDec85

You definitely don't signal left on the approach to the roundabout.

You are going straight on. To put it in simple terms cars don't have a straight on signal therefore you don't signal. You signal left as you are passing the point where you would usually expect to see a first exit on a standard roundabout.

To signal left on the approach may indicate to other road users that you intend to pull in and stop before you reach the roundabout.

Spook80

LeMaverick wrote: »

To everybody suggesting signalling at 9 o'clock:

If this exit was at 9 o'clock or even 10 o'clock I would definitely signal on approach, however this one looks more like 11 o'clock.

So what do you think the technical cut-off point is? I.e. At what o'clock does the first exit have to be for you to not signal on approach?

I know its tough starting out trying to figure out all these so precise instructions on how to use a roundabout but just remember Its all about communicating well with the other drivers on the road and always try and put yourself in the position of everyone else around you when judging what and what not to do.

Wherever the exit is that your taking, once you're giving everyone around you decent amount of time to react if what you're doing affects them.
id still say indicate at 9o clock but lets say the exits at 11 o clock, then indicate at 8. Its all just a guideline to help people learn but eventually it'll just become natural to you and when you think is the correct place to indicate.
Sorry i ramble on a bit
Good luck with the test.

starlit

Hi OP, This might help, I photo-shoped the photo of the roundabout and I think this is how its done. If approach and indication is done at the wrong time or part of the roundabout, I be happy to get any feedback on it thanks. Good luck with test OP.