@@heinrichbIn a single lane roundabout - There is NO confusion and NO reason to stop or fender bender. You just enter the circle and leave at your exit . . . NO changing lanes, NO figuring out how to cross in front of the vehicle to your right, NO worrying whether or not the other driver knows what to do. Single lane eliminates ALL the confusion of these evil contraptions. It's the addition of the 2nd inside lane that makes them difficult to maneuver for many drivers. The only yielding is possibly when you enter . . . no different than any normal right turn.
I've been driving for twelve years and I had to as well. I almost caused a wreck recently because I misunderstood the lanes and directions (my fault 100%) and I refuse to cause anyone any harm because of my own negligence. I've NEVER been taught how to use a roundabout, not in driver's ed, not by my parents, etc. Thank god for the Internet.
50 yrs and I avoid them at all cost. The single lane T-Circles make sense to me . . b/c everyone who enters is gonna leave at one of the exits . . . so why confuse the matter by putting in a 2nd inside lane that now makes you have to figure out how and when to cross traffic to make your exit.
@@TomLloyd-18 you should never have to cross traffic. The right lane can go right or straight. The left lame can go straight or left or I turn. A car should not join the right lane when there is a car in the left lane which would eliminate the need to cross a car when you exit. Problem is drivers don't understand that.
@@dark_winter8238 when I enter the RA I'm in the left lane b/c I'm not exiting the 1st or 2nd option . . . I will exit on the 3rd option which means I have to cross the right lane to exit. People are entering the RA in the right lane who intend to exit in the 1st or 2nd option. In my mind - in a small intersection situation a single lane RA makes a lot of sense - - no confusion. I stay away from multi-lane RAs as much as possible.
My first concern is when the traffic is heavy and there is a constant flow of cars, yet the video tells me I must sit and wait - maybe for a very long time - until BOTH lanes are empty. My second concern is that cars in the inner lane must cross traffic in the outer lane to make their exit. My third concern is that often roundabouts rely on lane markings to inform you, but they may be obscured by the cars ahead of you, leaving only a split second to read them. Also, they can wear down to illegibility.
There should always be gaps, if there are not, then the drivers in your area are not following traffic laws. And that is a different problem than the roundabout itself. Also, if everyone is following the rules laid out in the video, the cars in the inner lane are never crossing traffic. Those entering the circle are supposed to yield to both lanes. Those on the outer lane must exit by the second exit. No one should pass in either lane, so those on the inner lane would not be overtaking someone in the right lane that might cut them off.
@@poppyshock I'm sure you are quite correct, but "following the traffic laws" will happen only in Heaven. ;-) If I had grown up with two-lane roundabouts I'm sure I'd have no problem with them.
@@Bobrogers99 You're right, of course, people often don't follow traffic laws. However, in a regular intersection when someone runs a red light, the worst case scenario is that they t-bone someone and possibly kill them. In a roundabout, the drivers are forced (initially) to slow down and will be traveling in somewhat the same direction, so impact forces are much reduced, even when the statistically inevitable accident occurs.
Bob - I think we're in the same boat. They throw up one of these things in the middle of an area that has never experienced them and expect that we all learn apparently thru osmosis . . . how to maneuver the damn things.
No, you do not cross to the outer lane to exit. Two lanes in, two lanes out (for the most part). Not that difficult. Watch the illustration from 2:00-2:45. Explains it plain as day.
What makes me mad about the double lanes roundabouts is that sometimes I’m in left lane trying to go straight and some guy in the right is there blocking the way.
TBT inner lines should have the right of passage over the outer ones in a multi-lane roundabout, this is the only way to teach people that use the outside lines to go all the way around not to do it...
Probably me lol. I was always curious what the middle lane was for in a two lane roundabout. I watched this video to find out. Turns out I've been doing it wrong my whole life!
If there are lane arrows that show both lanes can take the exit then it is illegal to proceed forward on the roundabout using the right lane. The right lane MUST exit.
As someone from the UK, I've had great fun reading this comment section. It's a nice reminder that what is commonplace for me (driving through dozens of roundabouts every week) isn't going to be normal for everyone.
@@josepheridu3322it certainly is. I'm trying to get the hang of it as I'm about to start using one more often but the few times I've used it, I always get horned at so I know I'm not doing something right.
I’m a new driver with my permit (US) and I just had an incident in which i was entering a two lane roundabout with the intention to go straight. A car was coming in the far lane/second lane and i assumed he wasn’t going straight, but rather traveling around the round about, so i went. I almost hit him if it weren’t for my dad saying “You can’t do that!” and grabbing the wheel to pull me to the right. Needless to say, it was scary so i came here to relearn roundabouts. Man i wish they were all one lane.
If they were one lane then they wouldn’t be able to manage large volumes of traffic. You should learn how to use them correctly instead of blaming the junction.
@@qasimmir7117 Never did I blame the junction, lol. How about you go do something profitable with your life other than being a jerk to random kids on the internet.
Here in the Netherlands we have plenty of roundabouts. Sometimes even rather complex ones. Take your time to learn them and (you nearly learned the hard way) always assume errors are made. Also, once you learned to use them correctly you do not want the old junctions back.
Thanks for telling your story this exact same situation happened to me with the exact same thought you had of thinking they were going straight but rather around it made me feel better knowing im not the only one who thought this and that im not alone in the stuation
You just said “I assumed” but it’s clear especially for roundabouts, the instructions are “never assume”. Don’t blame the junction for not understanding how to navigate them. They’re a thousand times safer than a crossroad.
For people that are unfamiliar with the area, they may not know which exit to use when they get into the roundabout. This can make it hard to know what lane to get into even before reaching the roundabout. That's why it's always going to be difficult for tourists unless they're using a good GPS.
@@slouberiee for newbies and Tourists - I guess . . . worse case scenario . . . . you get to enjoy the redundant view as you continue around a few times til you spot your exit.
Car at 1:19 failed. And the number 1 rule is you MERGE into a round about. Its no different then merging onto the highway. If its clear keep driving and do not stop.
As someone from England who grew up with roundabouts, they are very safe and easy to navigate IF you understand the rules and get in the correct lane. In Edgware where i lived it has a 3 lane roundabout; no problem. In the U.S. I have lived through NJ circles and Massachusetts rotaries, both demolition derbies. For me the most frustrating thing is drivers not using indicators approaching and while in the roundabout. In fact almost all of the UA-cam instructional videos don't mention indicators: Big omission.
Almost got into an accident in a very small roundabout. Thought I'd watch this video to help me better understand them. Yup, the other driver should have yielded. They were going like 40. I was lucky to not have been in a wreck, especially since we both slammed on our breaks and came to a stop in the roundabout.
"yield to all lanes of traffic" is confusing and you may miss your opportunity to enter. To simplify, you should just look at cars coming from your left (or right, in Britain and other odd-sided traffic countries); for cars entering at your right (left, in Britain), you have more time to make a decision if needed, but they are the ones who should yield to you. Why is this? If there's a crash due to failed priorities, the car who travelled the shortest inside the roundabout will be the guilty one, regardless of the speeds.
I really enjoyed this film: it makes it all so clear. Living in the UK I have been navigating roundabout junctions since around 1965, as a lad on a bicycle and the principles described here are just the same. The only thing which I noticed was the absence of any advice on drivers using indicators to signal their intent of direction on approach to the roundabout? In the UK we are taught to indicate right or left on approach for those directions and to give no signal for continuing on the same (Straight-ahead) route). We are also taught that once in the roundabout a right signal be given to indicate your intention to leave the roundabout immediately after your vehicle passes the exit before the one that you want to take. That is to say the earliest possible notice you can give to other drivers, without causing any confusion. Unfortunately some drivers do not give exiting signals, which is a shame because where thy are used traffic can enter the roundabout with greater confidence and this adds up to a significant increase in the safe traffic handling capacity of the junction. I most of Europe such roundabout junctions exist but drivers never give signals and most drivers position their vehicles across either both lanes, in the incorrect lane or simply cut across all lanes in the roundabout. The result of this is that no one know when and where anyone intends to go and the capacity of the junctions reduces to very low levels and there are many minor collisions. Again, I really did enjoy this films clarity.
Hi Greame, Same overhere in the Netherlands and I think that most of the drivers are to lazy to use their signals. Despite of a very good education system we have overhere.
Thank you for posting this! I’ve navigated many single lane round a bouts but got overwhelmed when I learned I’d be going through a multi-lane! Wanted to make sure I could navigate it safely, and now I’m sure I am :)
@@allthingsharbor They're less dangerous even if they cause just as many crashes due to the lower speed and angle of entry. Really these videos make it way too complicated. The key to a multi-lane roundabout is choosing the lane before hand. Right lane to turn right or go straight. Left lane to go straight, turn left, or u-turn. Those are literally the only options anyone should have to make. You are required to exit the loop but even if you do get stuck, the entering cars are required to yield so you should be able to exit from the inner lane anyways. But again, if you choose your lane beforehand nothing can really go wrong. As they become more commonplace more drivers would understand how to navigate them. Really the better solution is just investment in trains, trams, buses, etc., because 95% of people are too stupid to have a license anyways.
In a multilane traffic circle, any direction change that exceeds 180 degrees takes place on the inside lane. If you're on the outside lane, attempting 270, or a complete 360, don't assume the inside lane driver to your left is doing the same. In a roundabout, it's best just to proceed defensively. Round here, folks don't know how to use them properly.
@@directrix1 Correct. The outside lane should only be used when making a right (first exit) or going straight (2nd exit). For 3rd and 4th exit, which are 270 and 360 degree turn, you should always use the inside lane. If everyone would follow those rules, you would never be in a situation where the outside lane cuts off the inside lane.
@@TheBratis wait a minute . . . people are not just entering from one point. They also enter at each exit . . . so their 1st and 2nd exit may be your 3rd or 4th exit . . . and so on and so on. So your "you would never be in a situation where the outside lane cuts off the inside lane" advice is BS.
@@TomLloyd-18 It's perfectly valid. People are entering from each road, BUT they must only enter when ALL lanes are clear so "you would never be in a situation where the outside lane cuts off the inside lane" makes sense. This is because the outer lane car that's with you (while you're in the inner lane) should get off at 90 or 180, so you'll never be cut off at 180/270/360. At least, that's what I understand.
I needed to watch this just to play Euro Truck Simulator 2. Man! I kept crashing into cars and even semis left and right, especially in London where it's on the left side :O But even in Paris and Berlin, the multilane round abouts screwed me over. This video helped a lot!
There was a new roundabout installed in a local city years ago. One late night I was driving around with my mom near the new round about. There was little traffic, but A minivan was in front of us as we approached the roundabout. Instead of using the roundabout as intended, the minivan just floored it across the inner circle and barely made it across the grass to the other side. It absolutely astounds me that we share the road with people like that every day 🤦🏻♀️
There's one right by my house that has had multiple people drive up on the large hill in the middle, plus another one where someone managed to take out nearly every single sign around it and aside from that someone takes out a sign at least once a month. God bless America.
Usually don’t comment, but I e watched so many videos explaining roundabouts and I was left confused but this is the perfect bc I finally understand the rules and how to safely go through one! Tysm!!
Thank you for posting this. I’m about to move out of my hometown where we don’t have any of these roundabouts and my new town has them all over. One in particular is even more trickier than the ones in the video which I’m a little apprehensive about. Not only am I still unsure about navigating my way around town but the roundabout looks sort of scary. Everyone is moving what seems like so fast and I feel like I need more time to figure out where to go and which lane to be in. I get the feeling I’ll be making multiple loops around until I figure out my exit strategy. lol
This video was hysterically funny ! Do the people who created this video think this is how traffic works in real life ? It is rare for people to indicate turns, yield to oncoming traffic, and obey posted speeds on straightaways. What person thinks multilane roundabouts are going magically change drivers ?
I have learned that when an emergency vehicle enters the roundabout when you are still on it, then you should make an extra loop around the roundabout so that you wont be in the way of the emergency vehicle after exiting. I think this is safer than exiting and pulling over.
Nope you shouldn't do this , carry on to your exit then pull up to the side of the road when it's safe to do so this what should weather it be UK or the US
Just the other day here in Ohio on the north end of Columbus near 270 I entered a multilane roundabout on my motorcycle. There were two cars to the left just about to enter the roundabout when I entered on the right lane going straight. By the time I got about midway of the two exit lanes to my right, the inner lane car going straight started honking at me. Considering the relatively slow speed limits of roundabouts being 20 miles per hour, I was taken aback by this as there was more than ample time for me to get through without a fuss. I ride a WR250R, which has very low gearing compared to most street bikes as it is essentially a street legal dirt bike and I don't fuss around on acceleration so I had no trouble swiftly approaching the limit to keep up with the flow of traffic. Confused at the time I thought, did I do something wrong? So here I am double checking my understanding of how multilane roundabouts work. In retrospect, I'd have to say that they were in the wrong for going faster than the speed limit, which would have put them at fault. I've accelerated in front of on-coming cars on 50 mph+ roads and freeways having been more than capable of getting up to speed long before they would've ever had a chance to rear end me. Had they been going the speed limit, there would have been no conceivable way for them to have been that close in less than three seconds. The bottom line is; watch yourselves out there, because no one else will... Everyone thinks they have the right of way.
There is a 2 lane roundabout in Rosemont, IL near the mall that gets really busy and destroys me every time since it's mandatory to pass through it if turning left while exiting the garage it's attached to. The yield rules are a bit nerve wracking when traffic from the main street entering tends to already be going faster than cars exiting the garage...
I had my first (of presumed many) accident in a neighborhood multi-lane roundabout. Yup, I did not die. It taught me that 1) I’m stupid 2) I will avoid that roundabout in the future.
We call them "Traffic Circles" here in my parts, but I specifically looked up this video to make sure I was NOT some idiot after having been nearly side-swiped multiple times by getting into the inner edge of the circle and continuining straight as it says I can on the markings.
Just had someone nearly hit me on the roundabout, the situation was im turning west coming from south and they are going straight into south coming from north's right lane. Because i was in the inner circle and they were in the outer circle they assumed (and missed my left turn signal) that they could proceed in their lane. But on a left turn you need to cross over the outer circle. Thats why you must yield to both lanes
What do you do if you're intending to make a left turn and in the left lane but someone in the right lane is blocking your path? Or is this an impossible scenario if everyone yields correctly?
If everyone yields correctly, this cannot happen, but many drivers fail to yield to *both* lanes as they should. This is probably the biggest problem with a multi-lane roundabout, under regular traffic flow -- You enter the intersection in the left lane, but either a person to your right (who is not in the correct lane) or a person who should yield to you after you enter (but decides not to) pulls into the roundabout, which traps you from exiting until they are no longer in your way.
Carry on in the lane you are in then merge into theother lane when it's safe also if your about to come off the roundabout and another car is your exit lane leave in other lane on that exit
Hit the brakes and honk at them. Also check the road lane arrows. I don't think any such roundabouts exist in the US but in Europe some roundabout exits don't allow using the left lane. If the road lane arrows show that both lanes are allowed to exit, then it is illegal to continue on the right lane and they MUST exit.
@@lukasmax6984 So how does that work...if there is to be no lane changing in the traffic circle, and we are driving on a busy two lane road, are we forced to exit at each optional right turn, do a u turn, then return again until we get back to our straight lane ?
@@allthingsharbor The "no lane switch" rule is the problem. In UK two lane roundabouts are commonplace, most roundabout interchanges even have three or four lanes, yet we have absolutely no problem with them. Why? Because we allow switching lanes in the roundabouts, so we tend to spiral out of it (similar to turbo roundabouts), and thus we'll always be on the outermost lane when we exit. Correct use of lanes and turn signals are equally important too. As an example, on a hash (#) pattern roundabout with four entrances/exits: 1. First or second exits (sub 180 degree turn) - use outer lane 2. Third exit or U-turn (more than 180 degree turn) - use inner lane, switch to outer lane when you're about to reach your exit (preferably after passing the last exit before yours) And for the turn signals: 1. First exit - left signal (right if LHD) 2. Second exit - no signal needed, but you can make a left (right if LHD) signal as you approach your exit to let other drivers know your intention 3. Third exit or U-turn - right (left if LHD) signal, use left (right if LHD) signal when you switch lane and exit the roundabout
It's supposed to be: right lane -> straight or right turn, left lane -> straight/u-turn or left turn/stay in roundabout until get to your exit. Of course, that means you will have to yield to the person on the right who is coming from the entrance to the right of where you entered from if he is going straight.
@@ronc9413 The person going straight is the one that should yield as said on the video, "it's important to yield the traffic on BOTH lanes before entering" and that is the reason. The car already in the roundabout has the right of way, no matter the lane in this case.
lnxlnx Sorry, got confused. Normal 4-way stop rules do not apply. The person entering the roundabout from, any direction, has to yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
Seeing to learn how to use it in simulators. Yep, just gonna treat it like a single lane roundabout. Now that's a proper roundabout, not having to worry if the dude on the left lane will go straight or not. Good shit they don't have these where I live.
Here is what I never understand about a multilane roundabout. If you want to turn left, then you have to go to the inside lane which means that you have to change lanes before you exit. Otherwise,you are trapped in there. So first of all, why do some people say that you can't change lanes. How are you supposed to get out of the inside lane without changing lanes? Secondly, I always thought that drivers were told not to change lanes on sharp curves because your sight distance is limited . Usually when a driver approaches a section of a multilane road with a curve in it, the lines between lanes change from a dotted white line to a solid white line to tell drivers not to change lanes in that section of road. A roundabout is a circle which is obviously curvy. Therefore isn't it dangerous to change lanes on a roundabout, but if you wish to turn left it is unavoidable. I keep hearing people talk about how roundabouts are so much more efficient and safer than other intersections but this is the biggest flaw to roundabout designs.
I don't know about your area, but where I live, in traditional light-controlled intersections with multiple left turn lanes, there is a dotted line to guide the left turning drivers into their correct lane. If you are going straight, you cross over these lines, but you're not changing lanes in the traditional sense. Same with the roundabout when you are exiting. You are crossing the guide line, not changing lanes. According to the video drivers entering the circle are supposed to yield to both lanes of traffic, no car should be passing another inside the roundabout, and those in the right lane should also be exiting. If these conditions are met, no one should be in your way when you exit.
Don’t change lanes in a roundabout! When you’re making a left turn, you go to the inside lane and signal your right blinker when your exit is approaching and exit from the inside lane to your exit. You do NOT change lanes to the outside lane first. When in the outside lane, you must only being going right or straight and must yield to the inner lane of traffic and let them cross in front of you if they need to exit. Going slow gives everyone time to think.
I think you're confusing the way some European countries handle traffic flow with the American way. Here you never change lanes in a roundabout. When you're in the inner circle you simply complete your left turn by crossing that outer lane. This is a safe maneuver because we require yielding to *all* lanes of traffic and because the right lane is forbidden from turning left
@ding That is a ridiculous statement. There are no left turns from a roundabout, so to turn from the left lane of a multi-lane roundabout you obviously need to cross over the right lane. You may not consider this “changing lanes,” but it is in effect the same thing.
@@MaulJade It is absurd to call exiting a roundabout a “left turn.” There is no such thing as a left turn from a roundabout, as you can only exit on the right. And if you are in the left lane, you obviously must cross over the right lane to make the exit, which is exclusively on the right. Saying you “don’t change lanes” is very misleading.
In Great Britain/UK the rules are different: if you see a roundabout, drive as fast as you can through is (2 wheels on the ground are enough), and honk at everybody, who goes to slow. But follow the rules strictly. If you can't do it, even half asleep, don't drive ANYMORE.
The one I still can't wrap my head around is the multilane ones where the inside lane gets to cross over the outside lane to exit, even though the outside lane car still can keep going around. Forcing the car to yield to them inside the circle is CRAZY! They should have been in that lane to begin with!
That outside lane car will not enter the roundabout before you're past their entrance so you will not cross paths with them at the same time. That's why they mentioned you shouldn't enter before both lanes are clear.
Does anyone else have the problem I have been having, I will use the graphic starting just before the 2-minute mark. If you are a vehicle coming from the southern portion of the image to enter the roundabout and going on the inside lane to turn left then a vehicle on the north side of the roundabout enters but wants to go straight, they cut off the driver from the south trying to turn left because they assume you will continue on the inner circle and not leave. Drivers who want to go straight enter too soon and nearly cause accidents all the time.
That's where the direction light comes in. In your situation, you should have the left light on all the time until you pass the north entrance, and then switch to right light notifying others that you're going to turn right at the next exit. For the one entering from North, he should have the left light on all the time as well, and yield for you to turn first (if he's at the outer lane), and then switch to right light just before he exits. In the nutshell, have the left light on all the time, and switch to the right light just before you exit. And the outer lane yield the way for the inner lane to exit. Have a safe trip.
We had a traffic circle in Daytona before I even got my license in 1967. I was already familiar with it because I used it all the time on my bicycle. I've never been confused by a roundabout or a traffic circle. I wish they were at all intersections. I hate traffic lights!
the problem . . . especially here in the USA is: you have the aggressive driver who's just gonna drive thru no matter what . . . and the passive-aggressive driver who will slam on their brakes and motion you through even though it is their turn. So no matter how much you know bout how to properly maneuver one of these evil contraptions . . . you have to watch out for everyone else. I avoid them like the plague.
There's a certain multilane round about that i rarely use but need to use more often soon. Every time i used it, i got honked at. I just dont know what I'm doing wrong. Also it's supposed to connect you the high way so i dont know what lane to use until i see the sign.
Don't worry, you will find out by the time. Maybe you just go a bit slow because you are too cautious, maybe you give sign of way too late. Also, the mistake mustn't necessarily be with you, ppl who have become familiar with it rapidly forget about their own initial hesitation. By the way, I would not subscribe to all the instructions given here. If I sit in the right lane at my entry and intend to take the very next 2-lane-exit, I do not wait for the inner lane in the roundabout to be cleared. Just give way to those coming your way who are prioritized. Period. Also, I dont necessarily STOP for them, I just yield. Slowly approaching to jump into the next gap is okay. But it needs some exercise. Just learn to anticipate the movement of other vehicles and to react quickly, but don't forget about pedestrians and cyclists, you need to have your eyes eveywhere. It will work. 😊
I STILL CANNOT MAKE SENSE OF THIS VIDEO! In a two-lane roundabout, the inside lane can exit whenever. The outside lane apparently can, too? How does that even work or make sense? If I am in the outside lane at 6 and I intend to exit at 12, but the car in the inside lane meets me at 6 and exits at 3 (numbers = clock), then how is that functional at all?
Was never taught or shown or educated on the proper technique for any round=about..one lane or two. We recently have one installed in my town....after many times going around, and seeing many mishaps and excessive horn blowing..I found another way to where I want to go--is it a little farther, YES. The roundabout gives me instant panic. I may know what to do, but, I don't know if the other guys know what to do....call me old fashioned, I likeed it better the way it was.......we are a snall town not a metropolitan city. Anyone ever been through the rotaries in CAPE COD, MASS., ????? White knucle all the way around.
Me and my employer argue about this roundabout.....I'm about to cross the round about,(two-lane) I am on the right lane and I signaled left, meaning I'm going to the left after the round about...but suddenly on my left, one driver passed by and he is going straight....am I wrong??I definitely honked on him and he goes faster not minding at all
@@michaelmclachlan1650 If all traffic going straight on a four lane highway must enter the left lane to continue straight on the four lane highway then traffic where I live will back up into the next state LoL
I just saw this accident at a double round about and i was confused because it's opposite to what this video said but yet the other guy was at fault. so one guy was in the left lane trying to make a right turn and hit a car in the right lane trying to keep going around. the guy who kept trying to go around was at fault. he was at fault because wasn't he suppose to be in the left lane? but why wasn't the guy who was trying to make a right turn at fault? he should have been in the right lane
I suppose this happened the following way (assuming it was a roundabout with 4 exits): the guy on the right lane was going straight and he had picked the right lane. This was most probably correct as it's usual you can go "straight" on both left and right lane as shown in the video. However, if you go straight on the right lane you still have to yield those driving on the left lane as they might turn right across your lane to exit the roundabout as seen in 2:01. The guy on the left lane shouldn't have been on the right lane because you don't switch lanes when you're already in the roundabout (3:58) which is why it's important to pick the correct lane BEFORE you're in and wait for cars in BOTH lanes to pass before you enter the roundabout.
@@arctikal what do you mean by "you don't switch lanes once you're already in the RA"? ? ? If you're in the inside lane . . . you HAVE TO switch lanes . . . otherwise you'd still be there as we speak. How do you get outta the RA if you don't switch lanes? ? ?
Complete at least one cycle and change lane as you drive around the roundabout, remember to check mirrors and signal as you complete your turn, good luck.
That is inevitable if you follow the rules and need to take any exit other than the first or second. You should be able to cross the right lane to make your exit, because traffic in the right lane should only be exiting BEFORE you do, but don’t bet on it.
Your explanation of stopping for all vehicles already in the roundabout is not right. What you are saying is even if there is an opening to enter the roundabout safely, then you can’t because there is someone somewhere in the roundabout already. You need to word that differently. The video even shows that this is not the case.
Glad they brought up semi trucks I been driving tractor trailer for 14 years everytime its scary stuff every time people try to drive traffic circles right beside me I get scared I'm gonna crush someone!!
People in the comments are saying you don't cross from the inner lane through the outer lane to exit. ??? Then how do you get out? The only thing I fear when using one of these is when I'm in the inside lane and have to cross the outer lane to exit. I'm not staying in there all day. At some point in time I have to exit the roundabout to get home. Otherwise I'll eventually run out of gas and have to abandon my vehicle. So can we please stop claiming that you don't have to cross the outer lane from the inner lane to exit?
This may work on paper, but it just barely works in practice. Even the simple 4-way stop is more than most people are capable of understanding. Even people that do understand, and also read signs and lane markings are going to do whatever they want when they find themselves in the wrong lane.
There are a lot of nuances in this video that are false. 1. The most famous roundabout is in Paris at the Arch de Triumph. It is the only place in France where a person's auto insurance does not cover accidents due to the large number of fender benders in that roundabout. 2. The headlights do not stay in the sight of traffic flow. The point to the outside edge of the circle. Just 10% deviation of the car and headlight angles greatly reduces visibility. 3. As stated, roundabouts are not ideal at all for traffic over 20 mph and should not be used for Hwy intersections. 4. People are not accustomed to Yield signs in the US. This is proven by the number of people that do not yield to traffic exiting a freeway onto the feeder in all lanes. 5. The law in most all states specifically state that you are not allowed to change lanes at an intersection, yet a roundabout violates that law explicitly.
Single lanes are easy, and I prefer them to stop signed intersections, for the most part. If the roundabout is small, however, and people do not signal turns, then one can sit needless waiting for a gap that was there all along and one simply did not know.
I just got my license like 2 weeks ago and got honked at at one of these roundabouts today sooo. yeah just watching this to make sure i wasn’t too much in the wrong...
Aren't bicyclists subject to the same traffic rules? If so, why treat them like pedestrians who are not subject to those rules? And what happens in a rush hour scenario where traffic is non stop on your left? Do you just sit there forever for 2 hours? :) With a traditional intersection, normally you would be let in by a courteous person. With roundabouts, the courtesy element is eliminated since you should not stop once in.
20? I do about 5 all the way through since most people have no idea what "Yield" means. Besides, if the traffic designers want you to stop and yield, just put up a four way stop. These things are such a pain. So many times I have to go down streets I don't want to because I am not familiar with the area and it wasn't clearly marked or because someone else blocked me from where I was trying to go. I hate these things.
In Australia, since we drive on the left side of the road, those who are waiting on the right side of the roundabout have the right of way and we give them way. What about in America?
Perfecto-Este es el modelo de glorieta que debe imponerse a nivel mundial, por cuyo diseño llevo peleando todo lo que va de siglo XXI, y que desde 2004 se implantó en la ciudad de A Coruña. Enhorabuena.
Video doesn't address how important it is to not use your blinker in a roundabout. Left hand blinkers make no sense and unless you're taking an immediate right what's the point in using your right hand blinker and passing two or three exits. all it does is confuse people
In the netherlands for every way you use your indicator, you use your right indicator if you are exiting the roundabout even when you are going straight or take a left.
@ding I've seen far too many people keep their blinker on as they pass one or more exits on the roundabout. As a truck driver and motorcycle driver I've learned to NEVER trust a blinker.
@@dippitydoinit also . . . some folks turn on the indicator too far in advance of their turn. Blinkers in a RA would just be sensory overload to those already confused by the whole damn thing.
None of these videos show busy roundabouts, what to do when the oncoming traffic from another entrance has a very long or seemingly never-ending line of traffic entering before you and exiting after you. Unless there is a break in the line I may not be allowed to go until the sun sets?! That's not how it is supposed to work. The first rule is YIELD but the first rule of traffic and driving is supposed to be courtesy. When should the never-ending line allow for those waiting to enter? This makes no sense!!
I hate the people who think yeild means stop. I mean, if there is a car coming, then yeah, give them the right of way, but I mean the people who stop when there is nobody coming or when someone is 5 seconds away and going at slow speeds.
Or you know they can fucking teach kids graduating motor courses how to drive in a roundabout. Just saying "oh roundabouts are easy" is not that same as taking a kid through them. They tense up. Someone tell these car instructors how to teach properly, why do people get the blame if they were given the experience.
roundabouts should stay single lane as God intended
No
how are you supposed to navigate a single lane roundabout if it's a merge for multiple lane roads and/or motorway junctions?
@@heinrichb you merge before the roundabout...?
@@RigelOrionBeta and thus create a major clusterfuck of a traffic jam? No, thank you.
@@heinrichbIn a single lane roundabout - There is NO confusion and NO reason to stop or fender bender. You just enter the circle and leave at your exit . . . NO changing lanes, NO figuring out how to cross in front of the vehicle to your right, NO worrying whether or not the other driver knows what to do. Single lane eliminates ALL the confusion of these evil contraptions. It's the addition of the 2nd inside lane that makes them difficult to maneuver for many drivers. The only yielding is possibly when you enter . . . no different than any normal right turn.
"Don't change lanes in a roundabout" was my biggest confusion with roundabouts.. I'm glad I watched this video!
The scary thing is, I've been driving for 2 years and still had to look this up.
I've been driving for twelve years and I had to as well. I almost caused a wreck recently because I misunderstood the lanes and directions (my fault 100%) and I refuse to cause anyone any harm because of my own negligence. I've NEVER been taught how to use a roundabout, not in driver's ed, not by my parents, etc. Thank god for the Internet.
17 years and they just started putting them in where I live and NO ONE knows how to use them.
50 yrs and I avoid them at all cost. The single lane T-Circles make sense to me . . b/c everyone who enters is gonna leave at one of the exits . . . so why confuse the matter by putting in a 2nd inside lane that now makes you have to figure out how and when to cross traffic to make your exit.
@@TomLloyd-18 you should never have to cross traffic. The right lane can go right or straight. The left lame can go straight or left or I turn. A car should not join the right lane when there is a car in the left lane which would eliminate the need to cross a car when you exit. Problem is drivers don't understand that.
@@dark_winter8238 when I enter the RA I'm in the left lane b/c I'm not exiting the 1st or 2nd option . . . I will exit on the 3rd option which means I have to cross the right lane to exit. People are entering the RA in the right lane who intend to exit in the 1st or 2nd option. In my mind - in a small intersection situation a single lane RA makes a lot of sense - - no confusion. I stay away from multi-lane RAs as much as possible.
My first concern is when the traffic is heavy and there is a constant flow of cars, yet the video tells me I must sit and wait - maybe for a very long time - until BOTH lanes are empty. My second concern is that cars in the inner lane must cross traffic in the outer lane to make their exit. My third concern is that often roundabouts rely on lane markings to inform you, but they may be obscured by the cars ahead of you, leaving only a split second to read them. Also, they can wear down to illegibility.
There should always be gaps, if there are not, then the drivers in your area are not following traffic laws. And that is a different problem than the roundabout itself.
Also, if everyone is following the rules laid out in the video, the cars in the inner lane are never crossing traffic. Those entering the circle are supposed to yield to both lanes. Those on the outer lane must exit by the second exit. No one should pass in either lane, so those on the inner lane would not be overtaking someone in the right lane that might cut them off.
@@poppyshock I'm sure you are quite correct, but "following the traffic laws" will happen only in Heaven. ;-) If I had grown up with two-lane roundabouts I'm sure I'd have no problem with them.
@@Bobrogers99 You're right, of course, people often don't follow traffic laws. However, in a regular intersection when someone runs a red light, the worst case scenario is that they t-bone someone and possibly kill them. In a roundabout, the drivers are forced (initially) to slow down and will be traveling in somewhat the same direction, so impact forces are much reduced, even when the statistically inevitable accident occurs.
Bob - I think we're in the same boat. They throw up one of these things in the middle of an area that has never experienced them and expect that we all learn apparently thru osmosis . . . how to maneuver the damn things.
No, you do not cross to the outer lane to exit. Two lanes in, two lanes out (for the most part). Not that difficult. Watch the illustration from 2:00-2:45. Explains it plain as day.
What makes me mad about the double lanes roundabouts is that sometimes I’m in left lane trying to go straight and some guy in the right is there blocking the way.
They should have a spoof with Ackbar driving in the middle lane. It's A Trap!
TBT inner lines should have the right of passage over the outer ones in a multi-lane roundabout, this is the only way to teach people that use the outside lines to go all the way around not to do it...
Probably me lol. I was always curious what the middle lane was for in a two lane roundabout. I watched this video to find out. Turns out I've been doing it wrong my whole life!
If there are lane arrows that show both lanes can take the exit then it is illegal to proceed forward on the roundabout using the right lane. The right lane MUST exit.
@@lukasmax6984 got honked at today because of this 😒 I wish they taught us how to drive in drivers Ed
As someone from the UK, I've had great fun reading this comment section. It's a nice reminder that what is commonplace for me (driving through dozens of roundabouts every week) isn't going to be normal for everyone.
I’m 41 years old and we don’t have any of these roundabout near me. I’m in California.
I know, it’s pure comedy.😂
2 lane roundabouts are very confusing for many people, though.
@@josepheridu3322it certainly is. I'm trying to get the hang of it as I'm about to start using one more often but the few times I've used it, I always get horned at so I know I'm not doing something right.
@@alyssa0411There’s one in Long Beach. Idk if you’re near Los Angeles tho
I’m a new driver with my permit (US) and I just had an incident in which i was entering a two lane roundabout with the intention to go straight. A car was coming in the far lane/second lane and i assumed he wasn’t going straight, but rather traveling around the round about, so i went. I almost hit him if it weren’t for my dad saying “You can’t do that!” and grabbing the wheel to pull me to the right. Needless to say, it was scary so i came here to relearn roundabouts. Man i wish they were all one lane.
If they were one lane then they wouldn’t be able to manage large volumes of traffic. You should learn how to use them correctly instead of blaming the junction.
@@qasimmir7117 Never did I blame the junction, lol. How about you go do something profitable with your life other than being a jerk to random kids on the internet.
Here in the Netherlands we have plenty of roundabouts. Sometimes even rather complex ones. Take your time to learn them and (you nearly learned the hard way) always assume errors are made.
Also, once you learned to use them correctly you do not want the old junctions back.
Thanks for telling your story this exact same situation happened to me with the exact same thought you had of thinking they were going straight but rather around it made me feel better knowing im not the only one who thought this and that im not alone in the stuation
You just said “I assumed” but it’s clear especially for roundabouts, the instructions are “never assume”. Don’t blame the junction for not understanding how to navigate them. They’re a thousand times safer than a crossroad.
For people that are unfamiliar with the area, they may not know which exit to use when they get into the roundabout. This can make it hard to know what lane to get into even before reaching the roundabout. That's why it's always going to be difficult for tourists unless they're using a good GPS.
There should be signs with directions... there are signs in Europe near roundabouts. Roundabout is just a crossroad.
@@slouberiee for newbies and Tourists - I guess . . . worse case scenario . . . . you get to enjoy the redundant view as you continue around a few times til you spot your exit.
When in doubt go left lane. Worst case you go all the way around to go right.
🎯
@@dark_winter8238 Do that in heavy traffic then be prepared to spend a long time riding around and around in the left lane.
Car at 1:19 failed. And the number 1 rule is you MERGE into a round about. Its no different then merging onto the highway. If its clear keep driving and do not stop.
As someone from England who grew up with roundabouts, they are very safe and easy to navigate IF you understand the rules and get in the correct lane. In Edgware where i lived it has a 3 lane roundabout; no problem. In the U.S. I have lived through NJ circles and Massachusetts rotaries, both demolition derbies. For me the most frustrating thing is drivers not using indicators approaching and while in the roundabout. In fact almost all of the UA-cam instructional videos don't mention indicators: Big omission.
Almost got into an accident in a very small roundabout. Thought I'd watch this video to help me better understand them. Yup, the other driver should have yielded. They were going like 40. I was lucky to not have been in a wreck, especially since we both slammed on our breaks and came to a stop in the roundabout.
. . . Exactly! Even if you as a driver have mastered this monstrosity . . . you have to deal with those who have NOT and behave as you described
Cookies
"yield to all lanes of traffic" is confusing and you may miss your opportunity to enter.
To simplify, you should just look at cars coming from your left (or right, in Britain and other odd-sided traffic countries); for cars entering at your right (left, in Britain), you have more time to make a decision if needed, but they are the ones who should yield to you.
Why is this? If there's a crash due to failed priorities, the car who travelled the shortest inside the roundabout will be the guilty one, regardless of the speeds.
I really enjoyed this film: it makes it all so clear. Living in the UK I have been navigating roundabout junctions since around 1965, as a lad on a bicycle and the principles described here are just the same. The only thing which I noticed was the absence of any advice on drivers using indicators to signal their intent of direction on approach to the roundabout? In the UK we are taught to indicate right or left on approach for those directions and to give no signal for continuing on the same (Straight-ahead) route). We are also taught that once in the roundabout a right signal be given to indicate your intention to leave the roundabout immediately after your vehicle passes the exit before the one that you want to take. That is to say the earliest possible notice you can give to other drivers, without causing any confusion. Unfortunately some drivers do not give exiting signals, which is a shame because where thy are used traffic can enter the roundabout with greater confidence and this adds up to a significant increase in the safe traffic handling capacity of the junction.
I most of Europe such roundabout junctions exist but drivers never give signals and most drivers position their vehicles across either both lanes, in the incorrect lane or simply cut across all lanes in the roundabout. The result of this is that no one know when and where anyone intends to go and the capacity of the junctions reduces to very low levels and there are many minor collisions.
Again, I really did enjoy this films clarity.
Most drivers in the US don't fill up their indicator fluid regularly.
@@cpe111 😳🙈
@@cpe111 haha lmfaoo 😂
Hi Greame, Same overhere in the Netherlands and I think that most of the drivers are to lazy to use their signals. Despite of a very good education system we have overhere.
I'm 21 and have been driving for 7 years now. Had to look this up since I moved to Australia and roundabouts seem to be a traffic fetish here.
you should try driving in the UK
I’ve been doing this wrong. Thinking the other cars were doing it wrong. This was helpful! Glad I watched it before a crash happened.
Roundabout is the best word for someone with a Minnesotan accent.
nice to know that it's good for SOMETHING
Rounda-baout
ROONDABOOT
The final boss of intersections
try diverging dimonds
Lierally
Thank you for posting this! I’ve navigated many single lane round a bouts but got overwhelmed when I learned I’d be going through a multi-lane! Wanted to make sure I could navigate it safely, and now I’m sure I am :)
Just do not assume anyone else on the road understands, because they do not. Multilane roundabouts are a dangerous addition to many US roads.
@@allthingsharbor They're less dangerous even if they cause just as many crashes due to the lower speed and angle of entry.
Really these videos make it way too complicated. The key to a multi-lane roundabout is choosing the lane before hand. Right lane to turn right or go straight. Left lane to go straight, turn left, or u-turn. Those are literally the only options anyone should have to make. You are required to exit the loop but even if you do get stuck, the entering cars are required to yield so you should be able to exit from the inner lane anyways. But again, if you choose your lane beforehand nothing can really go wrong.
As they become more commonplace more drivers would understand how to navigate them. Really the better solution is just investment in trains, trams, buses, etc., because 95% of people are too stupid to have a license anyways.
In a multilane traffic circle, any direction change that exceeds 180 degrees takes place on the inside lane. If you're on the outside lane, attempting 270, or a complete 360, don't assume the inside lane driver to your left is doing the same. In a roundabout, it's best just to proceed defensively. Round here, folks don't know how to use them properly.
Thank you!
Shouldn't you not be in the outside lane for 270 or 360 ever?
@@directrix1 Correct. The outside lane should only be used when making a right (first exit) or going straight (2nd exit). For 3rd and 4th exit, which are 270 and 360 degree turn, you should always use the inside lane. If everyone would follow those rules, you would never be in a situation where the outside lane cuts off the inside lane.
@@TheBratis wait a minute . . . people are not just entering from one point. They also enter at each exit . . . so their 1st and 2nd exit may be your 3rd or 4th exit . . . and so on and so on. So your "you would never be in a situation where the outside lane cuts off the inside lane" advice is BS.
@@TomLloyd-18 It's perfectly valid. People are entering from each road, BUT they must only enter when ALL lanes are clear so "you would never be in a situation where the outside lane cuts off the inside lane" makes sense. This is because the outer lane car that's with you (while you're in the inner lane) should get off at 90 or 180, so you'll never be cut off at 180/270/360. At least, that's what I understand.
Great video, thanks. Very concerning that as a driver for nearly two decades i am just now learning the proper way to nevigate a traffic circle.
I needed to watch this just to play Euro Truck Simulator 2. Man! I kept crashing into cars and even semis left and right, especially in London where it's on the left side :O But even in Paris and Berlin, the multilane round abouts screwed me over. This video helped a lot!
Haha what a noob ,😂
There was a new roundabout installed in a local city years ago. One late night I was driving around with my mom near the new round about. There was little traffic, but A minivan was in front of us as we approached the roundabout. Instead of using the roundabout as intended, the minivan just floored it across the inner circle and barely made it across the grass to the other side. It absolutely astounds me that we share the road with people like that every day 🤦🏻♀️
LMFAO i’m sorry that literally made me laugh out loud 💀
There's one right by my house that has had multiple people drive up on the large hill in the middle, plus another one where someone managed to take out nearly every single sign around it and aside from that someone takes out a sign at least once a month. God bless America.
Roundabouts are an abomination.
Usually don’t comment, but I e watched so many videos explaining roundabouts and I was left confused but this is the perfect bc I finally understand the rules and how to safely go through one! Tysm!!
And if the roundabout confuses you, we're throwing crosswalks into the mix :D
Maybe you should learn some common sense so you aren’t confused.
@@qasimmir7117 Insult rejected.
Thank you for posting this. I’m about to move out of my hometown where we don’t have any of these roundabouts and my new town has them all over. One in particular is even more trickier than the ones in the video which I’m a little apprehensive about. Not only am I still unsure about navigating my way around town but the roundabout looks sort of scary. Everyone is moving what seems like so fast and I feel like I need more time to figure out where to go and which lane to be in. I get the feeling I’ll be making multiple loops around until I figure out my exit strategy. lol
This video was hysterically funny ! Do the people who created this video think this is how traffic works in real life ? It is rare for people to indicate turns, yield to oncoming traffic, and obey posted speeds on straightaways. What person thinks multilane roundabouts are going magically change drivers ?
I have learned that when an emergency vehicle enters the roundabout when you are still on it, then you should make an extra loop around the roundabout so that you wont be in the way of the emergency vehicle after exiting. I think this is safer than exiting and pulling over.
If you're in the right lane, you could cause an accident by doing this if someone in the left lane is trying to exit straight or to the left.
Nope you shouldn't do this , carry on to your exit then pull up to the side of the road when it's safe to do so this what should weather it be UK or the US
Sign Lane (see sign pick lane)
Slow Yield (slow down, yield)
Clear Enter (all lanes clear, enter)
Just the other day here in Ohio on the north end of Columbus near 270 I entered a multilane roundabout on my motorcycle. There were two cars to the left just about to enter the roundabout when I entered on the right lane going straight. By the time I got about midway of the two exit lanes to my right, the inner lane car going straight started honking at me. Considering the relatively slow speed limits of roundabouts being 20 miles per hour, I was taken aback by this as there was more than ample time for me to get through without a fuss. I ride a WR250R, which has very low gearing compared to most street bikes as it is essentially a street legal dirt bike and I don't fuss around on acceleration so I had no trouble swiftly approaching the limit to keep up with the flow of traffic.
Confused at the time I thought, did I do something wrong? So here I am double checking my understanding of how multilane roundabouts work. In retrospect, I'd have to say that they were in the wrong for going faster than the speed limit, which would have put them at fault. I've accelerated in front of on-coming cars on 50 mph+ roads and freeways having been more than capable of getting up to speed long before they would've ever had a chance to rear end me. Had they been going the speed limit, there would have been no conceivable way for them to have been that close in less than three seconds.
The bottom line is; watch yourselves out there, because no one else will... Everyone thinks they have the right of way.
There is a 2 lane roundabout in Rosemont, IL near the mall that gets really busy and destroys me every time since it's mandatory to pass through it if turning left while exiting the garage it's attached to. The yield rules are a bit nerve wracking when traffic from the main street entering tends to already be going faster than cars exiting the garage...
I had my first (of presumed many) accident in a neighborhood multi-lane roundabout. Yup, I did not die. It taught me that 1) I’m stupid 2) I will avoid that roundabout in the future.
We call them "Traffic Circles" here in my parts, but I specifically looked up this video to make sure I was NOT some idiot after having been nearly side-swiped multiple times by getting into the inner edge of the circle and continuining straight as it says I can on the markings.
If you use your signal, left to circle, right to exit, it makes things much easier.
Just had someone nearly hit me on the roundabout, the situation was im turning west coming from south and they are going straight into south coming from north's right lane. Because i was in the inner circle and they were in the outer circle they assumed (and missed my left turn signal) that they could proceed in their lane. But on a left turn you need to cross over the outer circle. Thats why you must yield to both lanes
I think driving in these roundabouts are something that one must "learn" with much practice.
This is helpful for my semitruck-filled dual lane roundabout
What do you do if you're intending to make a left turn and in the left lane but someone in the right lane is blocking your path? Or is this an impossible scenario if everyone yields correctly?
If everyone yields correctly, this cannot happen, but many drivers fail to yield to *both* lanes as they should. This is probably the biggest problem with a multi-lane roundabout, under regular traffic flow -- You enter the intersection in the left lane, but either a person to your right (who is not in the correct lane) or a person who should yield to you after you enter (but decides not to) pulls into the roundabout, which traps you from exiting until they are no longer in your way.
Carry on in the lane you are in then merge into theother lane when it's safe also if your about to come off the roundabout and another car is your exit lane leave in other lane on that exit
Hit the brakes and honk at them. Also check the road lane arrows. I don't think any such roundabouts exist in the US but in Europe some roundabout exits don't allow using the left lane. If the road lane arrows show that both lanes are allowed to exit, then it is illegal to continue on the right lane and they MUST exit.
@@lukasmax6984 So how does that work...if there is to be no lane changing in the traffic circle, and we are driving on a busy two lane road, are we forced to exit at each optional right turn, do a u turn, then return again until we get back to our straight lane ?
@@allthingsharbor The "no lane switch" rule is the problem.
In UK two lane roundabouts are commonplace, most roundabout interchanges even have three or four lanes, yet we have absolutely no problem with them. Why? Because we allow switching lanes in the roundabouts, so we tend to spiral out of it (similar to turbo roundabouts), and thus we'll always be on the outermost lane when we exit.
Correct use of lanes and turn signals are equally important too. As an example, on a hash (#) pattern roundabout with four entrances/exits:
1. First or second exits (sub 180 degree turn) - use outer lane
2. Third exit or U-turn (more than 180 degree turn) - use inner lane, switch to outer lane when you're about to reach your exit (preferably after passing the last exit before yours)
And for the turn signals:
1. First exit - left signal (right if LHD)
2. Second exit - no signal needed, but you can make a left (right if LHD) signal as you approach your exit to let other drivers know your intention
3. Third exit or U-turn - right (left if LHD) signal, use left (right if LHD) signal when you switch lane and exit the roundabout
Roundabouts are fun to drive in when its single-laned, its like a loop-de-loop
inside lane -> straight even if you signal is dangerous. I get so many people cutting me off from the right inbound traffic
That was my question. I was super confused about how lane changes or exit choices would work in roundabouts.
It's supposed to be: right lane -> straight or right turn, left lane -> straight/u-turn or left turn/stay in roundabout until get to your exit. Of course, that means you will have to yield to the person on the right who is coming from the entrance to the right of where you entered from if he is going straight.
@@ronc9413 The person going straight is the one that should yield as said on the video, "it's important to yield the traffic on BOTH lanes before entering" and that is the reason. The car already in the roundabout has the right of way, no matter the lane in this case.
lnxlnx Sorry, got confused. Normal 4-way stop rules do not apply. The person entering the roundabout from, any direction, has to yield to traffic already in the roundabout.
they're in the wrong in that situation if they're on the outside they can only turn right or go straight while inside lane is straight, left or u turn
Thank you, I’ve made all of these mistakes!
Must be my age, even after watching this film 3 times, I am still not confident that I understand who goes where and when..
Seeing to learn how to use it in simulators. Yep, just gonna treat it like a single lane roundabout. Now that's a proper roundabout, not having to worry if the dude on the left lane will go straight or not. Good shit they don't have these where I live.
Clearwater, Florida has one at the beach.
In france our roundabouts have no markings on the ground inside, not even lines to separate both lanes.
Here is what I never understand about a multilane roundabout. If you want to turn left, then you have to go to the inside lane which means that you have to change lanes before you exit. Otherwise,you are trapped in there. So first of all, why do some people say that you can't change lanes. How are you supposed to get out of the inside lane without changing lanes?
Secondly, I always thought that drivers were told not to change lanes on sharp curves because your sight distance is limited . Usually when a driver approaches a section of a multilane road with a curve in it, the lines between lanes change from a dotted white line to a solid white line to tell drivers not to change lanes in that section of road. A roundabout is a circle which is obviously curvy. Therefore isn't it dangerous to change lanes on a roundabout, but if you wish to turn left it is unavoidable. I keep hearing people talk about how roundabouts are so much more efficient and safer than other intersections but this is the biggest flaw to roundabout designs.
I don't know about your area, but where I live, in traditional light-controlled intersections with multiple left turn lanes, there is a dotted line to guide the left turning drivers into their correct lane. If you are going straight, you cross over these lines, but you're not changing lanes in the traditional sense. Same with the roundabout when you are exiting. You are crossing the guide line, not changing lanes. According to the video drivers entering the circle are supposed to yield to both lanes of traffic, no car should be passing another inside the roundabout, and those in the right lane should also be exiting. If these conditions are met, no one should be in your way when you exit.
Don’t change lanes in a roundabout! When you’re making a left turn, you go to the inside lane and signal your right blinker when your exit is approaching and exit from the inside lane to your exit. You do NOT change lanes to the outside lane first. When in the outside lane, you must only being going right or straight and must yield to the inner lane of traffic and let them cross in front of you if they need to exit. Going slow gives everyone time to think.
I think you're confusing the way some European countries handle traffic flow with the American way. Here you never change lanes in a roundabout. When you're in the inner circle you simply complete your left turn by crossing that outer lane. This is a safe maneuver because we require yielding to *all* lanes of traffic and because the right lane is forbidden from turning left
@ding That is a ridiculous statement. There are no left turns from a roundabout, so to turn from the left lane of a multi-lane roundabout you obviously need to cross over the right lane. You may not consider this “changing lanes,” but it is in effect the same thing.
@@MaulJade It is absurd to call exiting a roundabout a “left turn.” There is no such thing as a left turn from a roundabout, as you can only exit on the right. And if you are in the left lane, you obviously must cross over the right lane to make the exit, which is exclusively on the right. Saying you “don’t change lanes” is very misleading.
im glad i learned how to navigate a roundabout
Turning left use your turn signals. Like in the video We have two of the double roundabout on two highway.
In Great Britain/UK the rules are different: if you see a roundabout, drive as fast as you can through is (2 wheels on the ground are enough), and honk at everybody, who goes to slow. But follow the rules strictly. If you can't do it, even half asleep, don't drive ANYMORE.
I find it funny that us American’s complain about this, while our neighbors across the pond deal with this dilemma on a daily basis
Yes, it is funny.😂🇬🇧
American drivers have a very different temperment when behind the wheel. One major problem that concerns RAs is that many of them HATE to yield.
@@TomLloyd-18 Exactly ! Yield is apparently deemed a threat to one's very existence in the USA. It's crazy, but it is what it is.
1. yield to oncoming traffic in all lanes
2. pay attention to crosswalks and pedestrians
3. use the correct lane for the direction you plan to go
The one I still can't wrap my head around is the multilane ones where the inside lane gets to cross over the outside lane to exit, even though the outside lane car still can keep going around. Forcing the car to yield to them inside the circle is CRAZY! They should have been in that lane to begin with!
That outside lane car will not enter the roundabout before you're past their entrance so you will not cross paths with them at the same time. That's why they mentioned you shouldn't enter before both lanes are clear.
Does anyone else have the problem I have been having, I will use the graphic starting just before the 2-minute mark. If you are a vehicle coming from the southern portion of the image to enter the roundabout and going on the inside lane to turn left then a vehicle on the north side of the roundabout enters but wants to go straight, they cut off the driver from the south trying to turn left because they assume you will continue on the inner circle and not leave. Drivers who want to go straight enter too soon and nearly cause accidents all the time.
Yes, it is a problem.
That's where the direction light comes in. In your situation, you should have the left light on all the time until you pass the north entrance, and then switch to right light notifying others that you're going to turn right at the next exit.
For the one entering from North, he should have the left light on all the time as well, and yield for you to turn first (if he's at the outer lane), and then switch to right light just before he exits.
In the nutshell, have the left light on all the time, and switch to the right light just before you exit. And the outer lane yield the way for the inner lane to exit.
Have a safe trip.
We had a traffic circle in Daytona before I even got my license in 1967. I was already familiar with it because I used it all the time on my bicycle. I've never been confused by a roundabout or a traffic circle. I wish they were at all intersections. I hate traffic lights!
the problem . . . especially here in the USA is: you have the aggressive driver who's just gonna drive thru no matter what . . . and the passive-aggressive driver who will slam on their brakes and motion you through even though it is their turn. So no matter how much you know bout how to properly maneuver one of these evil contraptions . . . you have to watch out for everyone else. I avoid them like the plague.
Roundabouts have one special ability. They creates traffic jam on places, where it never been before!
Where I live, when I’m on the way to the mall, there’s 3 roundabouts within a yard of each other 🙃
There's a certain multilane round about that i rarely use but need to use more often soon. Every time i used it, i got honked at. I just dont know what I'm doing wrong. Also it's supposed to connect you the high way so i dont know what lane to use until i see the sign.
Don't worry, you will find out by the time. Maybe you just go a bit slow because you are too cautious, maybe you give sign of way too late. Also, the mistake mustn't necessarily be with you, ppl who have become familiar with it rapidly forget about their own initial hesitation.
By the way, I would not subscribe to all the instructions given here. If I sit in the right lane at my entry and intend to take the very next 2-lane-exit, I do not wait for the inner lane in the roundabout to be cleared. Just give way to those coming your way who are prioritized. Period. Also, I dont necessarily STOP for them, I just yield. Slowly approaching to jump into the next gap is okay. But it needs some exercise. Just learn to anticipate the movement of other vehicles and to react quickly, but don't forget about pedestrians and cyclists, you need to have your eyes eveywhere.
It will work. 😊
@@frankyboy1131thank you.
I STILL CANNOT MAKE SENSE OF THIS VIDEO! In a two-lane roundabout, the inside lane can exit whenever. The outside lane apparently can, too? How does that even work or make sense? If I am in the outside lane at 6 and I intend to exit at 12, but the car in the inside lane meets me at 6 and exits at 3 (numbers = clock), then how is that functional at all?
Was never taught or shown or educated on the proper technique for any round=about..one lane or two. We recently have one installed in my town....after many times going around, and seeing many mishaps and excessive horn blowing..I found another way to where I want to go--is it a little farther, YES. The roundabout gives me instant panic. I may know what to do, but, I don't know if the other guys know what to do....call me old fashioned, I likeed it better the way it was.......we are a snall town not a metropolitan city. Anyone ever been through the rotaries in CAPE COD, MASS., ????? White knucle all the way around.
I found the part where it talks about multi lane roundabouts and what lanes to get in intresting, i never understood that before
Have situational awareness, and be vigilant of what other cars might do.
Me and my employer argue about this roundabout.....I'm about to cross the round about,(two-lane) I am on the right lane and I signaled left, meaning I'm going to the left after the round about...but suddenly on my left, one driver passed by and he is going straight....am I wrong??I definitely honked on him and he goes faster not minding at all
Yes, you're in the wrong. If you're in the right lane you take the first (right) or second (straight ahead) exits.
@@michaelmclachlan1650 If all traffic going straight on a four lane highway must enter the left lane to continue straight on the four lane highway then traffic where I live will back up into the next state LoL
@@allthingsharbor If you're continuing straight on you can use either lane. Subject to signage and road markings of course.
I just saw this accident at a double round about and i was confused because it's opposite to what this video said but yet the other guy was at fault. so one guy was in the left lane trying to make a right turn and hit a car in the right lane trying to keep going around. the guy who kept trying to go around was at fault. he was at fault because wasn't he suppose to be in the left lane? but why wasn't the guy who was trying to make a right turn at fault? he should have been in the right lane
Yeah imo roundabouts are not intuitive.
I suppose this happened the following way (assuming it was a roundabout with 4 exits): the guy on the right lane was going straight and he had picked the right lane. This was most probably correct as it's usual you can go "straight" on both left and right lane as shown in the video. However, if you go straight on the right lane you still have to yield those driving on the left lane as they might turn right across your lane to exit the roundabout as seen in 2:01. The guy on the left lane shouldn't have been on the right lane because you don't switch lanes when you're already in the roundabout (3:58) which is why it's important to pick the correct lane BEFORE you're in and wait for cars in BOTH lanes to pass before you enter the roundabout.
They are accident creators.
@@arctikal what do you mean by "you don't switch lanes once you're already in the RA"? ? ? If you're in the inside lane . . . you HAVE TO switch lanes . . . otherwise you'd still be there as we speak. How do you get outta the RA if you don't switch lanes? ? ?
@@TomLloyd-18 also make you check your blind spot before leaving the inner lane to exit and good mirror checks
4:45 good to know I’ve been wondering this
Did not see you mention indicators or how people should indicate.
@ding Thanks
this video really helped me learn
What if I’m in the left lane wanting to go right?
Complete at least one cycle and change lane as you drive around the roundabout, remember to check mirrors and signal as you complete your turn, good luck.
That is inevitable if you follow the rules and need to take any exit other than the first or second. You should be able to cross the right lane to make your exit, because traffic in the right lane should only be exiting BEFORE you do, but don’t bet on it.
Then you are stupid, you should’ve been in right lane to go right. You’d have to loop round. Next time use some planning anticipation.
@@Dr10s there is no requirement for the right lane to exit at most of these multilane roundabouts.
Great video!
Thank you so much! 🤗
Your explanation of stopping for all vehicles already in the roundabout is not right. What you are saying is even if there is an opening to enter the roundabout safely, then you can’t because there is someone somewhere in the roundabout already.
You need to word that differently. The video even shows that this is not the case.
Glad they brought up semi trucks I been driving tractor trailer for 14 years everytime its scary stuff every time people try to drive traffic circles right beside me I get scared I'm gonna crush someone!!
They always talk about all the benefits of roundabouts, but I think it boils down to side-swipes are better than t-bones.
People in the comments are saying you don't cross from the inner lane through the outer lane to exit. ??? Then how do you get out? The only thing I fear when using one of these is when I'm in the inside lane and have to cross the outer lane to exit. I'm not staying in there all day. At some point in time I have to exit the roundabout to get home. Otherwise I'll eventually run out of gas and have to abandon my vehicle. So can we please stop claiming that you don't have to cross the outer lane from the inner lane to exit?
Agree... I don't think some of these people have ever actually driven through a multilane roundabout
Great video, I was happy to watch 👍👍
Great video to teach yielding I like it a lot
I wish they would have mentioned at 3:14 how to avoid jaywalkers in the roundabout?
That’s just somebody crossing the road…
This may work on paper, but it just barely works in practice. Even the simple 4-way stop is more than most people are capable of understanding. Even people that do understand, and also read signs and lane markings are going to do whatever they want when they find themselves in the wrong lane.
There are a lot of nuances in this video that are false. 1. The most famous roundabout is in Paris at the Arch de Triumph. It is the only place in France where a person's auto insurance does not cover accidents due to the large number of fender benders in that roundabout. 2. The headlights do not stay in the sight of traffic flow. The point to the outside edge of the circle. Just 10% deviation of the car and headlight angles greatly reduces visibility. 3. As stated, roundabouts are not ideal at all for traffic over 20 mph and should not be used for Hwy intersections. 4. People are not accustomed to Yield signs in the US. This is proven by the number of people that do not yield to traffic exiting a freeway onto the feeder in all lanes. 5. The law in most all states specifically state that you are not allowed to change lanes at an intersection, yet a roundabout violates that law explicitly.
roundabouts are really hard to navigate
Single lanes are easy, and I prefer them to stop signed intersections, for the most part. If the roundabout is small, however, and people do not signal turns, then one can sit needless waiting for a gap that was there all along and one simply did not know.
It’s lovely how people complain about two-lane roundabouts, while we got three or four lanes in ours. 😆
nothing about using turn signal? :)
Yield to all lanes of traffic when entering a roundabout
Look for and stop for any pedestrians and bicyclists
I just got my license like 2 weeks ago and got honked at at one of these roundabouts today sooo. yeah just watching this to make sure i wasn’t too much in the wrong...
Waiting for a gap on BOTH lanes is important to not cause an accident while getting in a roundabout.
Most people dont use their blinkers in roundabouts
I avoid the roundabout altogether and travel 1/4 mile further and do a turnaround.
Yeilding before entering a round about is very important you don't want to cut other drivers off.
What about light signals? ..
Roundabouts don't have light signals.
If there are light signals, it is technically not a roundabout, it is a traffic circle.
Aren't bicyclists subject to the same traffic rules? If so, why treat them like pedestrians who are not subject to those rules? And what happens in a rush hour scenario where traffic is non stop on your left? Do you just sit there forever for 2 hours? :)
With a traditional intersection, normally you would be let in by a courteous person. With roundabouts, the courtesy element is eliminated since you should not stop once in.
Just when I think I've got round-a-bouts managed, there are always a-holes who break the rules and make me question why I'm not lucky like them.
"Stop for pedestrians as you would at any intersection"
Ok so when the light is red. Hey pedestrians, you heard the lady, your're on your own here.
20? I do about 5 all the way through since most people have no idea what "Yield" means. Besides, if the traffic designers want you to stop and yield, just put up a four way stop. These things are such a pain. So many times I have to go down streets I don't want to because I am not familiar with the area and it wasn't clearly marked or because someone else blocked me from where I was trying to go. I hate these things.
In Australia, since we drive on the left side of the road, those who are waiting on the right side of the roundabout have the right of way and we give them way. What about in America?
Apparently no one knows, lolz
Perfecto-Este es el modelo de glorieta que debe imponerse a nivel mundial, por cuyo diseño llevo peleando todo lo que va de siglo XXI, y que desde 2004 se implantó en la ciudad de A Coruña.
Enhorabuena.
So.....if I wanted to, could I just drive in a circle indefinitely without going anywhere?
A few years ago in Dubai, a few bratty teenagers got fined for doing just that :P
@ding not only is it possible . . . it is likely to be inevitable for the timid who can't figure out how to get over.
@@TomLloyd-18 timidthy ↙️↘️↙️↘️
It would waste gas but i guess if that's what you want
3:03
'Boss said change the sign'
They create more accidents due to lane confusion. A traditional 4-way stop works far better and cheaper to construct..
I really think multi lane roundabouts should be banned. Single lane roundabouts are ok but the double lane ones are too confusing.
@G Walker They aren't as easy as 1-2-3. Sometimes they aren't clearly marked as to what lane is for what turn.
The problem isn't with ME knowing how a roundabout works, but assuming everyone else does too.
@@MiKen877 Right on.
No.
They have no rules.
Video doesn't address how important it is to not use your blinker in a roundabout. Left hand blinkers make no sense and unless you're taking an immediate right what's the point in using your right hand blinker and passing two or three exits. all it does is confuse people
In the netherlands for every way you use your indicator, you use your right indicator if you are exiting the roundabout even when you are going straight or take a left.
@ding I've seen far too many people keep their blinker on as they pass one or more exits on the roundabout. As a truck driver and motorcycle driver I've learned to NEVER trust a blinker.
@@dippitydoinit also . . . some folks turn on the indicator too far in advance of their turn. Blinkers in a RA would just be sensory overload to those already confused by the whole damn thing.
None of these videos show busy roundabouts, what to do when the oncoming traffic from another entrance has a very long or seemingly never-ending line of traffic entering before you and exiting after you. Unless there is a break in the line I may not be allowed to go until the sun sets?! That's not how it is supposed to work. The first rule is YIELD but the first rule of traffic and driving is supposed to be courtesy. When should the never-ending line allow for those waiting to enter? This makes no sense!!
I hate the people who think yeild means stop. I mean, if there is a car coming, then yeah, give them the right of way, but I mean the people who stop when there is nobody coming or when someone is 5 seconds away and going at slow speeds.
Or you know they can fucking teach kids graduating motor courses how to drive in a roundabout. Just saying "oh roundabouts are easy" is not that same as taking a kid through them. They tense up. Someone tell these car instructors how to teach properly, why do people get the blame if they were given the experience.