Roundabouts- right of way?

whatlliwear

Ok so I thought that if I was approaching a roundabout at the same time as someone in the next lane to my right I had to stop & allow him/ her to enter the roundabout & then I can proceed with caution etc.. Until today when there were 3 of us in 3 lanes sitting waiting. My accompanied driver said I took the "give way to your right" thing too literally.. That it applies to cars on the roundabout and to your right hand side (ie the lane right directly beside you..).. Hmm.. So the guy behind beeped & I moved off once the other cars had passed me.. I suppose at least I was cautious & didn't take a risk. The roundabout wasn't huge so if they other car went fast enough & if I faltered taking off it could have been dangerous..
If anyone can please advise me what the rules say? I looked up the RSa website but it just says "Give way to traffic approaching from your right, unless signs, road markings or traffic lights tell you otherwise."...

Alanstrainor

You must give way to those currently on the roundabout, who inevitably will be coming from your right. There's no need to wait for other cars alongside you also waiting to join the roundabout to move off first.

DriversEd

as alanstrainor says, you need to give way to traffic coming from your right. so this does not mean traffic ON your right, as they, in this case, have their own lane. the only time you might allow a vehicle on either your right or left to move off ahead of you is because they are positioned slightly ahead of you in relation to the roundabout, IF the entrance to the roundabout was a little tight. for example, if a truck was there and taking a bit of your lane, then obviously you allow them to move off.
just one thing on your accompanying driver, if you are questioning their facts when they are for all intents and purposes 'teaching' you, then maybe use another person you trust. but if you think they are a good and contientious road user, then take what they say as true, then run it by your ADI.

drive well!

whatlliwear

Thanks for all the advice. I get it now. My accompnoed drive's great but it was just one of those things yesterday & he was in shock when I asked him what to do! I cant believe I even though that ha ha. It makes a lot more sense than what I thought anyway.

challengemaster

Alanstrainor wrote: »

You must give way to those currently on the roundabout, who inevitably will be coming from your right. There's no need to wait for other cars alongside you also waiting to join the roundabout to move off first.

Funnily enough though, it can be used as a good indicator on busy roundabouts as to when you can move. Use them as a shield type of way

dermiek

I told my daughter to use the cars in the lane beside her as a shield when entering a roundabout. I said it would take an almighty shunt to push them into her. That worked until the day arrived when she was the one in the right hand lane entering the roundabout. I nearly had to break out the oxygen for her.

challengemaster

dermiek wrote: »

I told my daughter to use the cars in the lane beside her as a shield when entering a roundabout. I said it would take an almighty shunt to push them into her. That worked until the day arrived when she was the one in the right hand lane entering the roundabout. I nearly had to break out the oxygen for her.

Considering the roundabouts in galway I'm not surprised, a friend of mine started nicknaming them... suicide roundabout and kamikazee hill were two of many