Mini-roundabouts

redout

What rules apply to mini-roundabouts? Some people say that you use the standard rules for a roundabout though at times I have noticed that cars do not signal if going straight. ROTR doesn't seem to cover this. I would usually indicate left if going left and right if going right regardless of the exit i.e. 1st, 2nd etc as sometimes the second exit is over on the right. It also does not seem possible to say take an exit on the right and then indicate left as your hands are quite busy turning the vehicle in such a small space.

Any help appreciated.

nacimroc

The same rules would apply to mini-roundabouts. The RSA has an add on TV showing you not to indicate if taking the second exit which is completely wrong IMO. People waiting at the first junction will pull straight out on front if you don't indicate to let them know your going ahead. This was the way I was thought and its the correct way to drive.

**Timbuk2**

Mini-roundabouts have the same rules as a standard roundabout, except they nearly always have only one lane on approach and on the roundabout.

It sounds like you are doing the correct thing, indicate left if going left, indicate right if going right, and don't indicate on approach if going straight on. Technically, you should still indicate left as you pass the exit before your intended exit, but with the smaller space, this is trickier.

One of the biggest 'dangers' with mini-roundabouts is that because exits are so close together, there is an increased chance for traffic to break right of way and pull onto the roundabout in front of you, as the 'gap' between where you would exit, and when you pass in front of that car if not taking the exit the car is waiting at is quite small, so make sure to take them slow and keep good all-round observation!

Even on a standard roundabout, when indicating, exit number (e.g. 2nd exit) does not come into it, but moreso the position of the exits in terms of a clockface. If the second exit is on the right, you still indicate right (and approach in the right-hand lane, if there are multiple lanes).

brian076

nacimroc wrote: »

The same rules would apply to mini-roundabouts. The RSA has an add on TV showing you not to indicate if taking the second exit which is completely wrong IMO. People waiting at the first junction will pull straight out on front if you don't indicate to let them know your going ahead. This was the way I was thought and its the correct way to drive.

You should never signal on the approach to any roundabout if going straight. I don't understand your point regarding people waiting at the first junction pulling out. Does this mean you indicate right on the approach? If so it's a misleading signal and could lead to a fail on a driving test.

nacimroc

I think legally you are correct. Also thats what the RSA show on the adds (not to indicate right entering)

If any car is on a roundabout it should be indicating at ALL times in my opinion so everyone knows exactly where every car is going. The RSA's way allows for people to drive wherever they like and indicate at last minute when they want to turn off! Its dangerous and should be changed. Looking at traffic its impossible to tell which exit they joined at so how are you to know where they are getting off ?

Ireland is lethal for people not bothering to indicate so the current system makes you sit at a roundabout trying to guess where the traffics going as you don't know if they just couldn't be bothered indicating or weather they are going straight ahead (which you can't tell anyway as you don't know which exit they joined at)

Just my 2 cents

**Timbuk2**

nacimroc wrote: »

Ireland is lethal for people not bothering to indicate so the current system makes you sit at a roundabout trying to guess where the traffics going as you don't know if they just couldn't be bothered indicating or weather they are going straight ahead (which you can't tell anyway as you don't know which exit they joined at)

How exactly would one indicate straight on?

If you are going straight ahead (at any roundabout), you do NOT signal on approach (because either signalling left or right would be misleading), but you DO signal left when passing the exit before the one you intend to take (on standard 4 exit roundabouts, you would signal after passing the 1st exit, where the straight on exit is the 2nd exit) - this way traffic waiting to get on the roundabout does not need to know where you came from, as your left signal will mean that you are taking the next exit.

Of course, if you are the car waiting to emerge onto the roundabout, do not trust signals entirely - people can sometimes leave their indicator on from a previous manouevre, or signal one intention and actually do another.

Wishbone Ash

nacimroc wrote: »

Just my 2 cents

I think your 2 cents worth displays the prevailing attitude among many motorists - i.e. that they should determine themselves what they think is safe rather than following the regulations.

Your arguments make no sense and you seem to ignore one of the basic rules of motoring - never make a manoeuvre solely based on anothers flashing indicator.

starlit

Still treat it as an ordinary roundabout. Its the same concept so same rules apply. Few tips, slow down going around it in 2nd gear. Use correct lane and signals for the exit you wish to drive. Also remember give right away to traffic on the left and already on the mini-roundabout. Look ahead to the right as well as ahead of you as you approach the mini-roundabout very important as the roundabout is smaller and tighter space.

Go with the safest option as other posters has mentioned. Observation and use of mirrors important as well as slowing down gradually braking on approach. If you have to stop at the yield/line then don't forget to get back to first gear.

Follow flow of traffic, go when clear, but try not to delay either. Keep an eye on approaching traffic on the right for their indicators but don't assume they are going that direction especially if they haven't their indicators on make sure you know where they are going before you move off.

Also don't try to copy the vehicle in front of you they could be doing it wrong, do what is the correct procedure as set out by RSA and rules of the road.

ADIDriving

nacimroc wrote: »

...and its the correct way to drive.

No it is not!

nacimroc wrote: »

If any car is on a roundabout it should be indicating at ALL times in my opinion so everyone knows exactly where every car is going. The RSA's way allows for people to drive wherever they like and indicate at last minute when they want to turn off! Its dangerous and should be changed. Looking at traffic its impossible to tell which exit they joined at so how are you to know where they are getting off ?

If you are driving straight along a road and a car is approaching from a side road to the left would you signal right to say that you are not turning left? No? Then why do it on a roundabout?
The RSA's way does not allow people to drive wherever they like and indicate at the last minute. There is a correct position to be in for each direction and signaling off is only to benifit the drivers who are trying to drive on from the next road.

Ireland is lethal for people not bothering to indicate so the current system makes you sit at a roundabout trying to guess where the traffics going as you don't know if they just couldn't be bothered indicating or weather they are going straight ahead (which you can't tell anyway as you don't know which exit they joined at)

If you are driving onto the roundabout planning on going straight but signaling right, the traffic looking to come on from where you are exiting has to wait because you are signaling to say you are going to continue past their exit.

Just my 2 cents

You are entitled to an opinion as to what is the best way to do something. But please drive correctly.

Never believe indicators...on their own!
You can also make assumptions about which way someone is going by looking at their road position /lane, the speed they are driving ( faster probably straight / slower probably turning ), you can often make an educated guess based on local knowledge / common sense, as well as which way they actually begin to turn.
You can never trust any of these on their own, but as the pair up it becomes more educated then guess. Practice it and it becomes flawless.

ADIDriving

Redout: Normal rules apply...except...if you are going right do not adjust your position too far over to the right and you do not have to give the second signal for the exit, if it is going to effect your control of your position.

nacimroc

ADIDriving wrote: »

Redout: Normal rules apply...except...if you are going right do not adjust your position too far over to the right

Seriously? Don't pull to the right if you are going right? Let me guess, use the left lane for every single exit? lol

ADIDriving wrote: »

and you do not have to give the second signal for the exit, if it is going to effect your control of your position.

Don't indicate if you don't feel like it ? How about telling people to hold the same position on a roundabout. Swerving lanes is not acceptable? You must indicate, you must use the correct lane.

Just do what everyone else in Ireland has been shown! Don't indicate, don't use correct lane, swerve as much as you like.

ADIDriving

nacimroc wrote: »

Seriously? Don't pull to the right if you are going right? Let me guess, use the left lane for every single exit? lol

The post address to redout answers their question regarding mini-roundabouts. Mini-roundabouts don't have multiple lanes.

Don't indicate if you don't feel like it ? How about telling people to hold the same position on a roundabout. Swerving lanes is not acceptable? You must indicate, you must use the correct lane.

It is a mini-roundabout. It is difficult, espically for a learner, to maintain position when turning right. Again, mini-roundabouts don't have multiple lanes.

Just do what everyone else in Ireland has been shown! Don't indicate, don't use correct lane, swerve as much as you like.

Just do what everyone else in Ireland has been shown! by the RSA, in their video for normal roundabouts.

Reloc8

nacimroc wrote: »

If any car is on a roundabout it should be indicating at ALL times in my opinion so everyone knows exactly where every car is going.

But...what if I'm going straight through ??

That's nonsense.

MascotDec85

nacimroc wrote: »

I think legally you are correct. Also thats what the RSA show on the adds (not to indicate right entering)

If any car is on a roundabout it should be indicating at ALL times in my opinion so everyone knows exactly where every car is going. The RSA's way allows for people to drive wherever they like and indicate at last minute when they want to turn off! Its dangerous and should be changed. Looking at traffic its impossible to tell which exit they joined at so how are you to know where they are getting off ?

Ireland is lethal for people not bothering to indicate so the current system makes you sit at a roundabout trying to guess where the traffics going as you don't know if they just couldn't be bothered indicating or weather they are going straight ahead (which you can't tell anyway as you don't know which exit they joined at)

Just my 2 cents

The ad shows the vehicle not indicating when going straight ahead. Vehicles DO NOT have a straight ahead signal so therefore CANNOT signal. Any car approaching a roundabout with a vehicle entering their roundabout from the right must observe, yield and allow the vehicle to complete it's manoeuvre.

When at or on the approach to a roundabout you should make lots of observations to see if the are other vehicles on the approach to the roundabout at the same time. Observing to see how close they are to it, what speed they are doing (both in relation to your own distance and speed) and what signals are being given if any. Therefore you should be in a position to tell where a vehicle entered the roundabout