Roundabout Question

clanard

Ok I have my test now in 3 weeks, I was under the old system and recently I have taken lessons from 2 different instructors.
My question is the at the roundabout ahead I am taking the second exit but it is to the right if like in a Crossroads situation, there is no exit straight ahead which is usually the second exit at a roundabout.
One instructor told me stay in left hand lane and signal right and then signal left after passing the first exit.
The other instructor told me to stay in left hand lane and no signal on approach and signal left after passing the first exit.
Am just confused over the conflicting advice, I know its a simple one but its still tricky.

thingamajig

I agree with the second instructor as there is no need to signal right as an indicator's function is to warn other traffic of your intent. As you HAVE to go right there is no need to warn traffic of that consequently you don't need to indicate right but must left after first exit.

You should never be indicating right while in the left lane. Do not indicate until you are past the first exit, then indicate left.

Good luck in the test.

**Timbuk2**

This will confuse you more, but the correct way of doing this would be to approach in the right lane, indicating right on approach, then the signal left when you pass the exit before the one you wish to take.

The issue has come up many times, both on here, and the Motors forum, and this is the recommended way to do it.
Which lane you approach in (in the absence of signs or lane markings telling you which lane to choose) is determined by where the exits are according to the clockface, not by which number exit they are.

In general, if you are taking an exit between 7pm and 1pm, you should approach in the left lane. If you are taking an exit between 1pm and 6pm, you should approach in the right lane. As usual, signal left or right on approach unless you are going straight on, in which case do not signal at all. (And no matter which exit you are taking, you should be signalling left as you pass the exit before the one you wish to take).

Here is an email the RSA sent about it: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055998652&page=1

starlit

clanard wrote: »

Ok I have my test now in 3 weeks, I was under the old system and recently I have taken lessons from 2 different instructors.
My question is the at the roundabout ahead I am taking the second exit but it is to the right if like in a Crossroads situation, there is no exit straight ahead which is usually the second exit at a roundabout.
One instructor told me stay in left hand lane and signal right and then signal left after passing the first exit.
The other instructor told me to stay in left hand lane and no signal on approach and signal left after passing the first exit.
Am just confused over the conflicting advice, I know its a simple one but its still tricky.

The 2nd exit is straight ahead. Generally 1st and 2nd exit you are in the left lane. You do not indicate at first when going to the 2nd exit you don't indicate left until as you pass the 1st exit, depending on the situation and roundabout sometimes you don't always need to indicate going straight ahead but I generally do. Indicate left as you pass/passed the 1st exit to go to the 2nd exit to let other drivers behind you know your intention.

Make sure you look at your mirrors and look ahead and take note of blindspots. Take extra care and also take note of other cars indicators. You might be getting a bit confused on that front though, the latter instructor is correct. If you read up the rules of the road its all in there as a guide how to approach and drive around a roundabout.

Its when you are going for the 3rd exit you stay in the right lane, indicate right, until as you are passing the 2nd exit you indicate left think you are into the left lane at this point or still on the right lane. Its all in the rules of the road to confirm it.

When taking the 1st exit you are in the left lane on approach and then indicate left before taking the 1st exit, make sure to signal in good time.

gbob

Exactly as per timbuk2's instructions. couldn't have put better.

MascotDec85

clanard wrote: »

Ok I have my test now in 3 weeks, I was under the old system and recently I have taken lessons from 2 different instructors.
My question is the at the roundabout ahead I am taking the second exit but it is to the right if like in a Crossroads situation, there is no exit straight ahead which is usually the second exit at a roundabout.
One instructor told me stay in left hand lane and signal right and then signal left after passing the first exit.
The other instructor told me to stay in left hand lane and no signal on approach and signal left after passing the first exit.
Am just confused over the conflicting advice, I know its a simple one but its still tricky.

Either you have misunderstood both instructors or they have told you the wrong thing.

It doesn't matter which number of exit it is, first, second or third. You are going to the right and therefore should be in the right lane with a right signal on the approach then signaling left after looking in the left mirror after the exit before yours or after where there would normally an exit.

Think of a roundabout as a clock face. Whenever you approach it you enter at 6. Any exit on or before 12 take the left lane. Any exit after 12 take the right. That is the general rule.

MascotDec85

To the other posters on the thread (other than timbuk2). Please go to www.rotr.ie and watch the roundabout video at the top right of the homepage. Your advice, though well meant, is incorrect.

Signals should ALWAYS be used. They are called indicators as you are giving other road users an induction of what/where you intend to do/go.

Wishbone Ash

doovdela wrote: »

The 2nd exit is straight ahead

Read the opening post again. Clanard has clearly indicated that the 2nd exit is not straight ahead.

I presume the roundabout is situated on a T-junction (or similar type junction).

MascotDec85 wrote: »

To the other posters on the thread (other than timbuk2). Please go to www.rotr.ie and watch the roundabout video at the top right of the homepage. Your advice, though well meant, is incorrect

+1

MascotDec85

MascotDec85 wrote: »

Signals should ALWAYS be used. They are called indicators as you are giving other road users an induction of what/where you intend to do/go.

while I admit that I missed the part in the OPs post where he said the exit was over to the right. The point regarding using your right indicator whilst in the left lane entering the roundabout still stands. If you enter the roundabout in the left hand lane you should not use your right indicator at all. You should either indicate left to take the first exit or, if it's the 2nd exit you're taking, you indicate left once past the first exit. However, it is completely correct to say that if the exit is to the right, then the right hand lane (unless the markings on the road otherwise) and indicator should be used.

MascotDec85

Deleted User wrote: »

while I admit that I missed the part in the OPs post where he said the exit was over to the right. The point regarding using your right indicator whilst in the left lane entering the roundabout still stands. If you enter the roundabout in the left hand lane you should not use your right indicator at all. You should either indicate left to take the first exit or, if it's the 2nd exit you're taking, you indicate left once past the first exit. However, it is completely correct to say that if the exit is to the right, then the right hand lane (unless the markings on the road otherwise) and indicator should be used.

If you are in the left lane for going right you are in the wrong lane, end of! And I don't mean that to sound bad mate

MascotDec85

MascotDec85 wrote: »

Deleted User wrote: »

while I admit that I missed the part in the OPs post where he said the exit was over to the right. The point regarding using your right indicator whilst in the left lane entering the roundabout still stands. If you enter the roundabout in the left hand lane you should not use your right indicator at all. You should either indicate left to take the first exit or, if it's the 2nd exit you're taking, you indicate left once past the first exit. However, it is completely correct to say that if the exit is to the right, then the right hand lane (unless the markings on the road otherwise) and indicator should be used.

If you are in the left lane for going right you are in the wrong lane, end of! And I don't mean that to sound bad mate

That's the same point I'm making!!!

clanard

Thanks for the replies everyone.
So if not the first or second exit I take the right hand lane and signal right than after passing the exit before my turn off I check mirrors and signal left and leave the roundabout.
Its basically using anything after 12 o clock as a right signal and in right lane if 2 lanes on approach. Think I have it now.

Wishbone Ash

MascotDec85 wrote: »

If you are in the left lane for going right you are in the wrong lane, end of! And I don't mean that to sound bad mate

Some roundabouts (especially coming off motorways) are signed to permit entry to the roundabout on both lanes even if one is taking the 3rd exit/turning right. It's done where a large portion of the traffic is taking the 3rd exit and thereby avoiding long tailbacks down one lane on the approach.

(It's easier to do on roundabouts over motorways as to take the 2nd exit/go straight ahead would only bring one back onto the motorway and this would only be used by those few who have exited the motorway by mistake).

ADIDriving

Timbuk2 and Mascotdec85 have given good acurate text book advice, that works 99% of the time. However, as Wishbone Ash is saying, there are exceptions. Sometimes road marking and specific variations of road layouts can change the basic rules. I once gave pretest lessons to someone who dealt with insurance claims. They spent two full training days discussing the various scenarios. Might be best to name and / or post a google map link to be sure in this exact situation.

**Timbuk2**

Yea, as others have said, note that the standard rules for roundabouts only apply in the absence of road signs or road markings stating otherwise - they always take preference!

There are quite a few examples where the left lane can be used to turn right, as Wishbone Ash has said. One example I can think of is the large roundabout over the M50 beside IKEA - traffic wishing to join the M50 northbound coming from IKEA can use either the left or the right lane to turn right. In this case, I wouldn't personally indicate right if I was in the left lane (turning right), because it may be a misleading signal - a car next to you may think you wish to change lanes. However, indicate left as you pass the exit before the one you wish to take, as always.

There's quite a number of examples of roundabouts where you can go straight through only in the right lane (most of the roundabouts in Castlebar seem to have signs stating this, for some reason!), and some where you can go straight through in the left or right lane (common on dual carraigeways, or roads with bus lanes and roundabouts).

3-lane roundabouts generally have markings on the road indicating which lane to be in, which is good as the rules of the road don't specifically state any standard rules for these. However, not all do. There's a 3 lane roundabout north of Dundalk without any markings whatsoever!

As ADIDriving has said, if there's a particular roundabout in mind, post up a google streetview link here!