3rd exit at roundabouts and side & tail lights

gnospher

hi folks. I'm having a driving test this week and have a problem.
Which lane - left or right should I choose exiting 3rd exit at roundabouts?
and when do you use side and tail lights?
thanks

**Timbuk2**

It depends on where the third exit is.

In the absence of road signs or markings indicating which lanes to pick, this is the standard procedure:
From 7oclock to 1oclock, use the left lane on approach and the left lane around the roundabout, indicating left as you pass the exit before the one you intend to take.

After 1 o clock, use the right lane on approach, indicating right on approach, and signal left as you pass the exit before the one you intend to take.

I don't fully understand your side and tail lights question. In a car, you turn on the lights to either 'side/parking lights' or 'dipped lights' - dipped lights is the one you want to use. Side lights are only small lights, sometimes used if you are parking somewhere for a short period of time. Dipped lights are the lights that you would normally use while driving. You can then push the stalk forward and back to change between 'Full headlights' and 'Dipped headlights'.
The RSA recommend that you drive with your dipped lights on during the day also, but this isn't a requirement so you can leave them off for your test (if it's not dark or dull outside).

gnospher

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

It depends on where the third exit is.

In the absence of road signs or markings indicating which lanes to pick, this is the standard procedure:
From 7oclock to 1oclock, use the left lane on approach and the left lane around the roundabout, indicating left as you pass the exit before the one you intend to take.

After 1 o clock, use the right lane on approach, indicating right on approach, and signal left as you pass the exit before the one you intend to take.

I don't think you fully understand my question. After reading rules of the road and watching ISM videos I still wasn't sure not which lane to enter roundabout, but which lane to EXIT.
Sure I wouldn't be applying for test if I would not understand the basic rules for roundabouts.
Even on this video :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR-iuHWxbh0

Once he says "if you are on right lane always exit on right lane", then in next situation he says other wise.
If I understand correctly you always have to exit into LEFT lane and right only if left lane is blocked by other cars?

dillo2k10

gnospher wrote: »

I don't think you fully understand my question. After reading rules of the road and watching ISM videos I still wasn't sure not which lane to enter roundabout, but which lane to EXIT.
Sure I wouldn't be applying for test if I would not understand the basic rules for roundabouts.
Even on this video :

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR-iuHWxbh0

Once he says "if you are on right lane always exit on right lane", then in next situation he says other wise.
If I understand correctly you always have to exit into LEFT lane and right only if left lane is blocked by other cars?

You go around the roundabout in the inside lane. As you pass the exit before the exit you want to take you then indicate left and move to the left lane if possible.

Wishbone Ash

gnospher wrote: »

Sure I wouldn't be applying for test if I would not understand the basic rules for roundabouts

...but in fairness you did ask when tail lights should be used - an astonishing question for someone due to to a driving test (and presumably using public roads). Knowing which lane to exit a roundabout is also a fairly basic rule which you say you understand.

When exiting at the 3rd exit of a standard roundabout you should ideally be aiming to use the left lane. There should not be any traffic on your left as you approach but where traffic is moving at different speeds it can happen. You need to closely observe the lane to your left and gradually move into it. Drive promptly around the roundabout and you'll generally avoid anyone coming up on your left.

ADIDriving

Exit in the left lane unless it is a bus lane or you plan on taking an immediate right turn or overtake.
Considering you should drive with dipped headlights on all but the sunniest days, corner lights / side lights are just used when briefly parked at night.

starlit

Generally you enter the roundabout on the right lane and exit off the left lane.

Indicated right approaching and going around roundabout, as you are passing the 2nd exit you indicate left before exiting on the left lane, its all in the rules of the road or for a quick check look at the RSA website.

Tail lights not used in general driving, I'd imagine you'd use dipped lights, in rain, dull weather, sunny, snow, dusk, and at night when a car overtakes you, when in traffic and in built up areas. You use your full headlights in unlit areas at night. Tail lights used only if you are parking really. You have lights on when you are reversing as well.

ADIDriving

doovdela wrote: »

Tail lights not used in general driving, I'd imagine you'd use dipped lights, in rain, dull weather, sunny, snow, dusk, and at night when a car overtakes you, when in traffic and in built up areas. You use your full headlights in unlit areas at night. Tail lights used only if you are parking really. You have lights on when you are reversing as well.

Your tail lights will be on in all these situations.

Iwannahurl

**Timbuk2** wrote: »

In the absence of road signs or markings indicating which lanes to pick, this is the standard procedure:
From 7oclock to 1oclock, use the left lane on approach and the left lane around the roundabout, indicating left as you pass the exit before the one you intend to take.

After 1 o clock, use the right lane on approach, indicating right on approach, and signal left as you pass the exit before the one you intend to take.

Point of information: is there any official published source, available to the general public, that describes the method above in those exact terms (ie 7 o'clock, 1 o'clock etc)?

ADIDriving

Iwannahurl wrote: »

Point of information: is there any official published source, available to the general public, that describes the method above in those exact terms (ie 7 o'clock, 1 o'clock etc)?

The RSA have a video on their site explaining how to deal with roundabouts.

Iwannahurl

ADIDriving wrote: »

The RSA have a video on their site explaining how to deal with roundabouts.

1. Sorry, I should have been more specific. Official source in print, specifically mentioning the clock face method.

2. The RSA video doesn't refer to clock positions at all. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rsdaSTOkWk

3. The ISM video doesn't mention clock faces either, just First/Second/Third exits etc.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XR-iuHWxbh0





.

loobylou

Iwannahurl wrote: »

1. Sorry, I should have been more specific. Official source in print, specifically mentioning the clock face method.

The RSA book "Learning to drive a car" does, in conjunction with the left, straight ahead, right description.

Iwannahurl

Thanks.

I've been away for a wee while, so out of touch with recent developments.

Turns out the RSA has a new publication that explicitly uses the clock method.

Wasn't always the case. See this thread: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056163797

**Timbuk2**

Iwannahurl wrote: »

Point of information: is there any official published source, available to the general public, that describes the method above in those exact terms (ie 7 o'clock, 1 o'clock etc)?

Not that I can find unfortunately, the only thing I have confirming it is this really

http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055998652&page=1
Except I'd disagree slightly with the above. The right lane should be used after 1 o clock, up until 6 o clock (not 5 o clock as stated) - it's perfectly acceptable to use a roundabout to come back the way you came, and you would use the right lane on approach for this (indicating right on approach, indicating right as you go around the roundabout, and left as you pass the exit before the one you want to take, as always).

But it's the rule that intuitively makes more sense, and works for a lot more cases than counting exit numbers (which works only if the roundabout is a standard 4 exit roundabout 9, 12, 3 and 6 o clock exits).

Iwannahurl wrote: »

Thanks.

I've been away for a wee while, so out of touch with recent developments.

Turns out the RSA has a new publication that explicitly uses the clock method.

Wasn't always the case. See this thread: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056163797

I remember that thread, and it's a bit frightening. The answer is the right lane, there is no ambiguity about this (unless there are signs or road markings indicating which lane to choose). If anything, the thread highlights the shortcomings of the 'exit number rule', and also on roundabouts like this you should be especially wary of people who are not following the correct rule!