Sunday 26 January 2014

Roundabouts



Many drivers are intimidated by roundabouts because they are usually at junctions that are busy. However, they are designed to maximise traffic flow so don’t worry about the level of traffic, it’s just another junction where you wait until it is safe before moving. You will by this stage already be familiar with t-junctions and the method of dealing with roundabouts is very similar.

Because of the way they are laid out, roundabouts usually give you a good view as you approach them, so early observations can help a lot. It will give you the opportunity to see the traffic on the roundabout which will give you more time to judge what everyone is doing.

Turning Left

Mirror – look at the inside and left mirrors
Signal – always signal, even if you can’t see anyone
Position – maintain the normal driving position
Speed – the approach speed will depend on the view you have as you approach the junction so you will help yourself a lot if you start looking as you start braking. If the view is good, you may be able to stay in 2nd gear if there is no-one to give way to. If the view is bad or the road is busy, you will need 1st gear. The less you can see the slower you will have to go as the stopping distance will be shorter. Because things can change quickly on roundabouts, it can be difficult to judge whether you will have to stop or be able to go while you are still approaching it. If you go into 2nd gear as you approach, you will be in a position to go if the traffic flow works in your favour.
Look – as mentioned above, you help yourself a lot if you start looking as you start braking. You will give yourself a chance to. You will be able to make an informed, unhurried decision. If you wait until the last minute to look, you will see everything all at once and will be forced to make a rushed decision and only have a short amount of time to act on it. If you decide to use 1st, make sure your speed is just under 10mph when you change and bring the clutch to bite after changing. If you will only have to wait for a few seconds, it’s ok to hold the clutch at the bite. If you think you will have to wait for more than a few seconds, put the handbrake on and set gas and biting point so you are ready to go. Chances can pass quickly so being ready to move can save you waiting longer than necessary. 

Following the Road Ahead

Occasionally, you will see other drivers signal right at the roundabout if they are going ahead. If you do, feel free to have a good laugh at their expense as this isn’t how it is done! 

Mirror – look at the inside and left mirrors
Signal – no signal is given on the approach as to do so would be misleading for other drivers. You are not turning left or right so don’t give the impression that you are. 
Position – usually, the best place to be is the normal driving position, or the left lane if there are two lanes. Look out for signs and markings as sometimes you will need to use the right hand lane.
Speed – the approach speed will depend on the view you have as you approach the junction so you will help yourself a lot if you start looking as you start braking. If the view is good, you may be able to stay in 2nd gear if there is no-one to give way to. If the view is bad or the road is busy, you will need 1st gear. The less you can see the slower you will have to go as the stopping distance will be shorter. Because things can change quickly on roundabouts, it can be difficult to judge whether you will have to stop or be able to go while you are still approaching it. If you go into 2nd gear as you approach, you will be in a position to go if the traffic flow works in your favour.
Look – as mentioned above, you help yourself a lot if you start looking as you start braking. You will give yourself a chance to. You will be able to make an informed, unhurried decision. If you wait until the last minute to look, you will see everything all at once and will be forced to make a rushed decision and only have a short amount of time to act on it. If you decide to use 1st, make sure your speed is just under 10mph when you change and bring the clutch to bite after changing. If you will only have to wait for a few seconds, it’s ok to hold the clutch at the bite. If you think you will have to wait for more than a few seconds, put the handbrake on and set gas and biting point so you are ready to go. Chances can pass quickly so being ready to move can save you waiting longer than necessary.
When you move on to the roundabout, keep to the left (assuming this has been your position on the approach) all the way through the roundabout to avoid an encounter with those turning right. As you reach the exit before yours, check all your mirrors and signal left to show that you are leaving the roundabout. 

Turning Right

Mirror – look at the inside and right mirrors
Signal – signal right, even if you can’t see anyone
Position – move to just left of centre, or to the right hand lane if there are two lanes.
Speed – the approach speed will depend on the view you have as you approach the junction so you will help yourself a lot if you start looking as you start braking. If the view is good, you may be able to stay in 2nd gear if there is no-one to give way to. If the view is bad or the road is busy, you will need 1st gear. The less you can see the slower you will have to go as the stopping distance will be shorter. Because things can change quickly on roundabouts, it can be difficult to judge whether you will have to stop or be able to go while you are still approaching it. If you go into 2nd gear as you approach, you will be in a position to go if the traffic flow works in your favour.
Look – as mentioned above, you help yourself a lot if you start looking as you start braking. You will give yourself a chance to. You will be able to make an informed, unhurried decision. If you wait until the last minute to look, you will see everything all at once and will be forced to make a rushed decision and only have a short amount of time to act on it. If you decide to use 1st, make sure your speed is just under 10mph when you change and bring the clutch to bite after changing. If you will only have to wait for a few seconds, it’s ok to hold the clutch at the bite. If you think you will have to wait for more than a few seconds, put the handbrake on and set gas and biting point so you are ready to go. Chances can pass quickly so being ready to move can save you waiting longer than necessary. 

When you move on to the roundabout, keep to the right continuing to signal right. When you reach the exit before yours, check the mirrors and signal left to tell others you are leaving the roundabout. Try to avoid drifting to the left as you move further round the roundabout. 

Mini-Roundabouts

Treat these as you would ‘normal’ roundabouts. The only difference is that it is acceptable not to signal left for the exit. The roads are often so close together that there isn’t time without risking the steering going wonky, which would have safety implications. It is ok to signal to exit, but don’t if you feel there isn’t safe to.
Sometimes, it will seem that the mini-roundabout is in a daft place! They are often used as traffic calming measures. It is very tempting to ‘straight line’ the mini-roundabout and drive over the island. However, it only takes the driver coming towards you to have the same idea and you will have a big dent in the front of your car!

Multi-Lane Roundabouts

Use the routine for approaching other roundabouts for the multi-lane roundabouts. It is worth mentioning that each of this type of roundabout is designed to suit the circumstances of that particular area and so each one is different. The signs and markings are very important so make sure you are looking for them. If there are no signs telling you specifically which lane to use, the direction signs may give you a clue. For example, if the sign tells you that the road you need is the fourth exit of a five exit roundabout, there is a good chance you will need the right hand lane. Once you enter the roundabout, the lane markings will usually guide you round so if you don’t cross any white lines, you will be fed across to the left lane in time for your exit. The further round the roundabout you are, the more to the left you need to be. 

Common Faults
 
As with t-junctions, it is very tempting to just look to the right as that is where you are giving way to. However, this can also result in an unwanted excursion into the right hand lane as you are not looking where you are going and not able to follow the path of the road.

As a passenger or on your lessons, you may have noticed other drivers ‘straight line’ the roundabout when going ahead. In effect, this results in two lane changes (from the left to the right and then back again) with the potential to seriously interfere with other traffic. Make sure your steering is disciplined and you stay to the left. 

When turning right, drivers often start drifting to the left as they pass the exit before theirs. Hold your position in the road and then make a direct line towards your exit.

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