All roundabouts suffer from paint loss; one local to us has three lanes. Fine when paint is new.but most people in left lane wander into the middle lane when the lane markings wear. Personally I didn't follow Ashley's reasoning at all on this, from the what i understood he doesn't seem to allow for traffic from other entrances. Have been dealing with gyratory roundabouts for many years (even though not taught about them) no real problems except for those who don't observe signs and road markings.
Around Gateshead there are multiple big 2-3 lane roundabouts with no road markings at all on approach or on the roundabout and minimal signage. Sometimes I wonder if it’s some sort of experiment being conducted or something, I just don’t know why that’s even allowed?
I have a roundabout near me which as I drive upto it the road sign shows the roundabout and the main road that I'm on continues off to the left and and the road I want is showing near straight over just slightly past 12 o'clock on the sign,so,a right turn? or both lanes straight over? it's 2 lanes exiting the roundabout and I plump for lane 2, as there is no actual right turn as there's no other exits around the roundabout, but my road out is physically more straight than to the right as the road sign dictates,so could have vehicles coming up on the inside to go straight over, so it's a matter of watching the nearside mirror when on the roundabout being careful and signalling accordingly.
I've noticed more roundabouts, particularly more compact ones, split into two lanes on the approach but have a single exit lane (albeit sometimes quite a wide one) and this isn't always obvious from either road markings or signage.
Yeh these are annoying when you've picked the right lane. Some have two lanes and immediately merge into one just after the exit (with arrows indicating this). I've had angry reactions for coming off using this right lane, even though I would have had no idea it becomes one straight away. I've just let them beep like mad and let them undertake me before merging in. I would like to know the recommended approach, as slowing down to let somebody in lane one undertake doesn't seem entirely safe?
@@robbrown3925 yeah, I've had a nasty experience caused by one of those roundabouts. Three lane entry into a single medium sized island roundabout (London roads for you) with a straight ahead continuation into a three lane exit that immediately merges into 2 after 20m (lane 3 merges into lane 2). Sounds crazy but I've just measured it on Google maps. Had a guy in a Golf that refused to let me merge on a busy night so I had to accelerate to squeeze in before I ran out of lane (was on a motorbike so could easily out accelerate him and it was either that or emergency stop by that point). He clearly had anger issues as he blocked me off at the next set of lights, jumped out and after a verbal altercation opened his boot to retrieve a weapon. I had just enough room to get away, but he was after soon chasing after me. Ended up having to do 70 in a 20 and he was still catching. Only got away when I made an unsignalled right turn into a street with parked cars and he understeered wide trying to knock me off. He had to slam the brakes on to avoid rear ending a parked car and I had just enough room to turn back onto the main road and drop him. Shook me up big time and it was all caused by ridiculous roundabout planning. There's a 3 o clock exit as well, so I have no idea why they can't just make the third lane right hand turn only and build out the kerb on exit to make it only two on exit.
When I encounter this I just accept that I can't exit to the road I want and continue around and either complete a circuit of the roundabout, moving out when possible to allow me to exit from the left lane or take a right exit from the roundabout and sort out the navigation issue as a separate exercise. It's just another example of the missed turning situation and my instructor rubbed it in that you don't try to "make the turn" but take the punishment.
@@rjpm92 I have a similarly shite roundabout near me. But its 1 block from a police station. The moron that started chasing me ran a red behind me and followed me into the police station car park before suddenly popping into reverse and scampering away.
As someone who passed is test in 1977, I really didn't know what you meant by "spiral or gyratory roundabouts" but I am familiar with the layouts, and they are quite common and easy to use. I think that the main problem on these roundabouts is lack of respect for other road users rather than lack of understanding as to how to use them.
I have an issue with people not understanding this, especially on a particular roundabout near me I always use. The continuation of the road after the roundabout happens on an exit past 12 o clock. It's a 3 exit roundabout. Left lane is supposed to deal with 1st exit and entering the continuation of the road from the 2nd exit into the left lane. Right lane deals with entering continuation of road on 2nd exit into right lane, and also to take the 3rd exit. You enter the roundabout in two lanes, and you exit onto that continuation in two lanes. Every time I enter the roundabout we play the game of "Will I be cut up today?", because so many people think that they must always enter the roundabout in the right lane if they are taking the 2nd exit, irregardless of what lane they want, purely because it is positioned past 12 o clock. These people will often join in the right lane, but will not exit the roundabout into the right lane. They will swing over to the left lane as they are taking the 2nd exit of the roundabout, leaving me to often deal with people, as I am joining in the left lane, keeping left and then exiting the roundabout in the left lane, cutting me up as we exit the roundabout. In fact just a few days ago I took the roundabout, exited into the left lane, and the guy to my right obviously wanted to be in the left lane, but couldn't move over as I was there. I sped up and he moved into my lane, then continued for the rest of the slow moving traffic ahead to drive right up my arse, purposely inching closer and closer to my car. Someone clearly angry that I knew the correct lane to take.
I admit that I had a hunch there was more to it then the 12 O' clock because 12 O' clock only works for roundabouts based on a square grid, which is what most towns don't do. There is a notable roundabout which has 3 exits and the third exit is the continuation of the road ahead, therefore, you only really need to put a right hand signal; if you're making a U turn from that direction. As for leaving roundabouts in the left lane, my instructor taught me that you should always leave the roundabout in the left lane but I've always found it to be a dangerous manoeuvre because you literally switch lanes on the roundabout. I find that leaving the roundabout in the same lane that you entered it is a lot safer. In fact, there was a pickup truck on a spiral roundabout that entered the roundabout in the left lane, I was in my lane and we ended up side by side on the roundabout, and we left the roundabout side by side, there was no horn or anything. It was all surprisingly safe!
This is a superb lesson on roundabouts. I was never taught most of this (and I don’t think many are). I had figured out most of this, but only from experience of watching how others do roundabouts (and probably a few near misses!). I think differentiating between normal and spiral roundabouts is important too - spiral roundabouts are great but I agree people don’t quite understand it’s completely different rules.
Yeh i was taught none of this at all, yet it is an extremely important aspect of driving. Funny to think that i was taught that mobility scooters have yellow lights, yet nothing to do with the logic on these roundabouts were even mentioned.
Nice to see your BMW's indicator fluid hasn't been used up like most of them that are out on the roads. P.s. great video, alot of people could be doing with watching it
Oh damn! Congrats bud! My next driving lessons are on the 8th week of the year, and since I arranged them to start from my new workplace and end near my home, it will be very interesting, especially if the snow will still be a thing in my region. I also picked up a couple tips from my dad.
I prefer to use the left lane out of two for straight on. I've found this creates less conflict with drivers as you move across from the roundabout's centre. If you pick the right lane for straight on, you have to watch for cars coming round in the left lane. If you pick the left lane, you're not going to interfere with drivers nearer the centre in the right lane, though they'll have to watch for you so make it easier by not "catching up" with drivers in the centre of the roundabout. Ideally the "inside" lane (ironically furthest from the centre of the roundabout) should move at an equal or lower angular velocity than the "outside" (which is closer to the centre of the roundabout). When I say angular velocity, I mean the proportion of the roundabout completed in a given time, as drivers nearest the centre will not have to go as fast for an equal angular velocity. Obviously, you can't guarantee no conflict because drivers can enter from any of the 4 roads. Someone entering from the lane to the right of you to make a right turn (which is straight on for you) could cut across in front of you if you go too fast round the left lane.
10:10 It honestly amazes me how many people really do struggle with these. There's a set of 2 spiral roundabouts one after another just near me and I take it regularly to get to most places where I live. And even despite the lines being freshly painted, I'm still constantly almost getting sidled into by people who don't seem to understand the concept of staying within a lane.
I have been driving over 40 years, first motor bikes and then cars, and I am loving these videos. Riding motor bikes is a great caution teacher, drive like everyone is out to get you! Watching the videos I get to remember things I forgot and learn new stuff as well especially since driving on our roads has changed dramatically over that time. Another great bonus for me is that I am from Liverpool and live in the area so I get to see you explain many of the roads I drive along. Brilliant! 😎
I've been driving since July 1986. I 𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚 and I'm equally 𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙚𝙙 by gyratory roundabouts and avoid them like the plague! I make excuses to my 20ish year old driver daughters, that I have poor night vision, to avoid driving on them, at night or any time. I try to stick to A roads. But since watching your wonderful and simple (thank goodness) explanation, I've downloaded this video and clipped the revelant section so I watch it over and over and over.... you get the message. We off for a weekend away and I was, trying to avoid the M25. But, I think I'll give it a try, with it's many gyratory roundabouts now 👍🏾
It differs from other countries. I was taught to exit Always from the outer lane. We are trained to avoid exiting in the second lane. Plus lorries are trained to keep on the outer lane on the roundabout (with the Indicator showing they are staying on it) --> it is to avoid them having to cross a lane to exit - that one lane where they have a huge blindspot. Sensible. I soon got used to the British way of using roundabouts, but I do Wonder how lorry drivers are trained to use them in the UK...
Well I don’t know about lorries but buses are taught to use them just like cars do, with some differences such as using both lanes (if only 2 lanes) if the space is required, signals r obvious but car drivers are mostly idiots on the roundabouts. They either go too fast or don’t signal or both!
Always safer to use left lane if going straight across.. unless you know the roundabout has two lanes (or a filter), on the exit. So for me, its all about local knowledge. When in an unfamiliar area, I always err to caution and stay left.
In Barnsley I’ve seen many near misses where someone from lane 2 takes the first exit and someone from lane 1 continues straight forward. Inches apart sometimes!
I wouldn’t go straight on in the right-hand lane because of the fear of a car coming from the left coming straight across my path because they are thinking that I am indicating to go right weather I indicate or not
Great point Ashley, and one that I wish was better covered. There's a roundabout local to me that always causes me problems. It has 2 lanes that both go straight on, leading onto a very short stretch of road before another roundabout, on which only the right hand lane goes straight. The arrows on the first roundabout are faded, but still quite visible if you're paying attention. But I often come into conflict with drivere who go straight on from the left hand lane and then just blindly wander into my path because they need the right- hand lane for the next roundabout. Regardless of who is right or wrong, you do NOT change lanes without checking. Yet it's pandemic here among drivers of all ages. Frightening so it is!
😵 17years driving and this is the first I've heard of spiral roundabouts. After seeing you I'm obviously aware I've been on a few now, nervously to be honest, as they always seemed a little 'off' compared to normal roundabouts. Eye opener! My bug with roundabouts has always been people waiting for the last second before jumping two lanes across to exit.
Great video . I've been driveing f9r years now and even ive got to admit that multi lane roundabouts catch me out . So it's nice to see even now I'm learning new things about our roads
I struggled with roundabouts, but my instructor always told me what lanes to use anyway. Wish I asked for more time on them, but this video clears up having to always learn a roundabout. Now I might be able to tackle unfamiliar ones in future
your a really good driving instructor other driving instructors do not give this amount of detail to reading roads and navigating in a car infact this makes learners safer and helps them and others to avoid accidents and this I feel should be taught by every instructor. my instructor wasn't that good it was more me wanting to learn asking questions and getting my hours in than him teaching me to drive. once i passed my test i had to teach myself so many things other people learnt while driving and also just driving by myself
Massively useful and shared, thank you! I was never instructed on dealing with spiral RABs, so I hate doing them when driving on m'ways or built-up areas.
An Aussie here saying thanks for the video on this important subject. I'm not sure our roundabout rules are 100% the same as the UK's but I would reckon they are top of the list down here as far as uncertainty is concerned, which is why I try & keep informed. Your '12 O'clock' point was very good at just creating that clear image of what is straight & how to think about it. Thanks again.
Brilliant video. People in my local area has a bit of trouble with using one of its 3 lane roundabouts, and I think that's largely because they follow these "rules of thumb" that you get at near the beginning. Adding this 3rd lane leaves a lot of folk confused about what lane they should be in when frankly, I think the signs and road markings make things pretty clear.
nah - you pick them up really quickly and they're a lot simpler in practice than they seem in principle. Most will have the lanes marked so you have to do is just follow what they say - even without that the general rules are simple enough to pick them up pretty quick. Not only that, compared to say a 4 way intersection controlled by traffic lights - like they commonly use in the US - they allow traffic to flow faster and cause less accidents.
I had so many near misses on the roundabouts in my town last year I put in a dash cam, people either not giving way or can't be bothered to use their indicators.
everything about the spiral roundabouts has been *golden*, ive been driving for years and knowing exactly what lane to pick on multi lane, multi exit roundabouts like that has probably been my #1 weakness in driving, i think simply because they were rarely featured on any of my lesson/test routes so i had limited practice before hitting the road all on my own!! i did manage to safely pick my way through one which i had to take regularly for a job a few years back having only had to navigate shorter, easier roundabouts to that point. it was pretty nerve racking but thankfully i just had a kind of "remember LANE DISCIPLINE, keep giving way to the right same as any other roundabout you'd be on, mirror signal manoeuvre, and just try to follow the road markings to your exit, you'll be fine" thought process/acting on instinct throughout. Managed not to clip any other cars or get beeped at so hopefully did ok with it, ha! seeing this put down in video is superb and your explanations are clear and excellent. incredibly valuable, very glad i saw this!! edit: also oddly reassuring/comforting that it wasnt just me and it might be an issue with broader training/the highway code
Driver have so much to learn from this channel. Two lanes in two out = straight on L&R. The first RAB that comes to mind for me and I would not expect to see cars from left lane going around. Would expect other cars to toot. BUT at 4:20 there are white lines on your RAB and you drove over. You have to indicate for changing lane and for exiting. The RAB I'm thinking of is the A23 with A236. Traffic density and dominant flow varies throughout the day and the week. Usage varies and what is understood as normal on a weekday morning is different on a weekend evening. Patience and sharing....not always apparent. I think of the phrase: When in Rome do as the Romans do.............
Enjoying your videos as I'm also a driver whose been on the road 25yrs plus. These videos showing how you should approach roundabouts are exceptionally good, but one thing that's missing is how fast you should be going when approaching the roundabout. So many people speed up at roundabouts to get there before cars coming from the right. When in actual fact you should slow down to 20 - 25 mph according to the Highway code.
Thank you for the explanations, particularly the last roundabout in the video where it looks like a right turn but you treat it as a straight on as it is a continuation of the main road - I have a roundabout like that in my test area and my instructor has told me this is the way the examiners want you to do it but in his opinion it should be treated like a right turn but he was unable to tell me why the examiners want it treated like a straight on. This has helped me to understand!
I passed in 94, I've driven a lot, sometimes in a lorry, It's funny because I couldn't explain any of this but I just know it almost "subconsciously". I really dislike being a passenger unless the driver is completely at ease and chilled in all situations, thats the price you pay for unconscious competence
It's so much easier to experience actual driving than watching videos to learn from I found. I've been driving now for about 10 years. And watching driving videos to learn used to cause me immense anxiety. I always found once I was in the car driving it was so much better. Currently 10 years on the road, never been in an accident, full no claims and love driving! even with the unbelivalby destroyed roads / pot holes / speed bumps insane traffic in Reading and London haha..
There are a few roundabouts near me in Oxford that are nearly spiral roundabouts in that you have to follow a route that changes lanes (they have 3 lanes), but are not marked all the way round. They are confusing. There is one with a marked right turn lane on the approach, but by the time you have passed the second, straight ahead, exit, there are 3 lanes: right for a U-turn, left to turn left, middle to turn left then immediately right once off the roundabout. Cars go all sorts of ways there.
Roundabouts that lead on to Motorways just all go to pot around the bend...The lines go haywire. Not easy to keep in the lane all the way round to the exit. It's a bit of free fall.
A very good series of videos. Information is good for the UK roads, but if driving in Europe, be aware that the local rules do appear to be different. In Spain, I was warned about roundabout rules, and have seen motorist and learner cars do the following; enter a four exit roundabout on the right hand lane and stay in that lane until they leave at the third or fourth exit. It catches many people out but it is a very common practice, and as I said, I have seen a number of learner cars do this. Anyone else seen 'unusual practices' at overseas roundabouts?
My first rule on using a roundabout is to assume all other users are idiots. When I first learned to ride a motorcycle in nineteensixtywubble I encountered the two major subdivisions of terror: buttock clenching; and testicle-retracting, when car drivers would try to exit from lane 2 when I was in lane 1 proceeding straight on. That soon taught me either to keep slightly ahead of, or slightly behind, vehicles to my right. If the former, the driver might read my intentions; if the latter I could read theirs and survive. I had never noticed the thicker line on signs indicating the main route through the roundabout. Now knowing that, I have checked a few roundabouts near me, and I wish other road vehicle users had been taught about it - it helps a lot.
Very strange thing we don't learn things like this, nor in theory, nor in practical. But we have to memorise such things as which vehicle has which beacons, and I understand it is - sort of - important to know, but this kind of things showed in this video are much more important. Never heard of this in this much depth, what's more, any depth. Watching UA-cam videos helped me a lot, but it is insane we pay hell of a money for proper lessons, and the instructors are too lazy or careless to explain it, just "roundabout ahead, do what you have to do". Thank you for this video. I still have questions and I am unsure, but it is a bit clearer now.
Fantastic video Ashley highliting some rarely discussed issues, I sincerely hope your pupils appreciate it as much as fellow ADI's. Loved the point about the continuation of the Rd ahead being significant even if its past 12 o'clock. If I could indulge myself on a personal point, I avoid using the word choice, when referring to 2 lanes going ahead, this could lead to drivers to take the left lane on a Monday and the right hand lane on a Tuesday (you get my point), i suggest to them, by all means take the right hand lane, when you have a distinct reason to, eg, slow traffic in left, cars indicating left for 1st exit, perhaps if you turning right shortly after, or indeed your valid point at 8.08 when your unsure. This is another video I will pass on to my pupils, much appreciated.
Well described, as ever. It’s one of those things that varies a lot from place to place. Sometimes the local authority modifies the road layout, typically to assist ‘rush hour’ traffic. In recent year’s I’ve come across a few of those. E.g. at one of them, it used to possible to use lane 1 to go straight on, but it became ‘left only’; possible to read the road markings when there isn’t anything on it! For straight on it became lane 2 only (which now splits into 2 for the last 50m or so into the roundabout ahead, which was widened out for the left only lane onto the first exit. Sometimes if it’s an unfamiliar long distance trip, I have a look at online maps - although there’s no guarantee that they are up to date, to see if there’s anything odd about the layout. Sometimes road signage on the approach is not that helpful, especially if they haven’t tweaked it to match the lane marking changes. These days, there are many junctions where road lane markings are so worn out, that it’s awkward to see them in some weather conditions.
What I will say Ashley is that there's a big difference in driving tests from town to town, which an mean things like spiral roundabouts are not that common in certain areas and so exposure to them is limited. Close to where I live are a series of roundabouts, including two spirals, a double / twin roundabout, a bunch of regular ones, plus a few oblong and oddly shaped ones. The core roundabouts are fine in the most part, but the issues start to crop up at the nonstandard. 1. On the twin-roundabouts you merge on a mini roundabout, and there is a second larger one just after it. It's effectively just a T junction to increase traffic flow from one of the roads. The bad habit is for people to still treat it as a T junction with the normal priorities because they are leaving the main roundabout, and / or fail to signal for the mini roundabout. While those joining at the mini-roundabout are caught with oncoming traffic approaching at speed. The next complexity is that two of the approaches are single lanes, going to two lanes, while the other approach from the roundabout is a double lane into a single with a left turn only. That left turn only lane is not adequately indicated to those on the main roundabout entrance. 2. On the spiral roundabouts the biggest issue is people not going across to the right lane to start with. When a single lane approach leads to two lanes on the roundabout, you must cross into the central lane and then follow the spiral to your destination. At the same time, leavers of the roundabout must take their required lane to depart. What you tend to see are people all joining in lane 1, then trying to hold that lane even as it naturally ends. Meanwhile people who follow the lane discipline required are left in awkward situations. Often the spirals Lane 1 takes you past multiple exits in close proximity, and signalling can be confusing for those trying to join. One near here has a lane 1 that completely cuts across a valid exit for lane 2. I would love a driving instructor to clarify what actually is meant to happen, but it was often ignored on our routes.
Watch a few of the dashcam videos to see what really happens on roundabouts. Even if you follow your rules there are occasions where the paths of vehicles may cross, so give other people the chance to change lanes, don't overtake on the roundabout, indicate if you have to change lanes and always keep an eye on the car on your inside, he may want the next exit. And use your indicators.
Oh why have I not seen this sooner. Excellent explanation and much needed by so many. I would argue that although both lanes can be used the preferred lane when going ahead so to speak should be the right lane: 1. It tells waiting traffic you are not going left (not all drivers have spare indicator arms) 2. It allows for quicker and more efficient flow of traffic
Generally you'd use the left lane for left and straight on and the right for turning right. We drive on the left, so that should be the default position.
@@IAMShteve I regard the basic roundabout as a crossroad with a disk in the middle to enable multiple vehicles to cross, turn left, right at the same time. At a crossroad where the junction widens (fans out) do you follow the kerb over to the left of lane when you want to go straight across?
I would just like to say that your positioning is spot on in both situations as you enter and on going around the roundabout, but, on preparation to exit, you start to indicate as you pass a car that is waiting to join the roundabout from the entry before your exit. This, I would suggest is not correct, where you should start to indicate, in my opinion is, as you pass the last exit before the exit you intend taking. This way the waiting driver will see that you intend to exit after their entry point and can prepare accordingly. I also see so many people indicate their intention to go round, yet take an exit whilst still indicating right!!! I know it's not an accolade, but my driving experience goes back to 1970 when I passed my car driving test and 1974 when I passed my motorbike driving test. I have also passed the IAD test in a car and on motorbike. I also used to instruct colleagues in my place of work (a school) who did not have the required qualification on their driving licence to drive 18 seat minibuses, all of whom subsequently passed their test first time. By the way, I also drive a BMW (a 530D touring), and my bike was a BMW (no longer ride bikes due to arthritis in my hands), and my indicators really do work.
Fantastic material, thank you. Only last Saturday I had a near miss, when a driver decided to go around in left lane, while I was in right. There was something strange in his/her behaviour and only this stopped me going straight while he/she was going around...
The last one was the one I was not sure of. A continuation of the road past 12 o'clock with 2 lanes into the roundabout and one lane on the exit. As I thought use either lane.
It is worth saying that there may be local signage that tells you differently. The only time I grabbed the wheel when my son learned to drive he was in the right hand lane to go straight on when another vehicle tried it on the left - but a sign at the side of the road and markings in the road made clear that only the right hand lane can be used to go straight on. The reason is that only a single lane is available to exit. It was the other driver who was at fault but a useful lesson for my son that others may get it wrong,
in the most complex situations of multi entrance and exit, it is generally safest to assume each lane on the edges can perform 2 functions, go off, and straight or go around and straight. otherwise just read the effing road markings.
There's a medium sized roundabout neat me that has two single lane exits before 12 o'clock and two after, obviously this applies whichever direction your coming from, however one of the exits and two of the entry roads have two lanes (it's a slip road to a dual carriageway). Helpfully there are no arrows to guide people into one lane or the other, with the inevitable consequence that vehicles get in each others way.
I've been watching this channel for a couple of days. Since we drive on "the other" side of the road, I have to apply a lot of"mirror image" while watching. But roundabouts are a bit too much 😂 will keep on watching other videos though. Common sense is a common sense after all 😉 a lot of useful information 👍
We've got plenty of spiral roundabouts in Peterborough, all are on dual carriageways but none of these are on motorways. Like you I was never trained on them, but was told to follow the signs and markings to get where I need to be.
I think an important point to remember for any driver is to expect other road user's to make mistakes on roundabouts and be prepared to help them correct that mistake rather than speeding up to emphasise and shame their mistake. This is particularly important on non-standard or complicated roundabouts, especially ones that rely heavily on road markings, that can be obscured by heavy traffic, rather than signs. Even the best of drivers can make mistakes on unfamiliar roundabouts and it is much better to slow down and let them in safely than trying to punish them for that mistake.
@ 2:50 the only problem is, just before i exit in lane 2 at the 2nd exit(as you do in the video at this point), the cars from your 1st exit start to set off as they think youre going round as youre in the directional right lane, which sometimes means you cant exit in lane 2, doesn't make sense :S
Great video and well explained. I have been driving nearly 10 years but enjoy watching your videos as it's always good to keep learning. Great point in particular about noting the continuation of the main road through the roundabout. I was never actually taught about this directly but common sense and logic saw me picking it up as I went along. My main issue with roundabout design in the UK is that there just isn't enough consistency, which is well highlighted by the different variations of design evident through your video. Driving in the UK (and most places I guess) is for the most part completely straightforward and black and white. Red light? Stop. Give way junction? Give way. Stop junction? Stop and give way. Motorway? Drive on the left unless overtaking or lane closure (etc). Yet when it comes to roundabouts, the design can vary so wildly it's no wonder people can get confused. About the only thing that you can consistently say is true of roundabouts is that you give way to people coming from the right, and that they're roughly circular. There's a particular one that springs straight to mind in Scotland where the main road continuing "straight on" is actually at the 2 o'clock position, with only one minor exit to the left. You can happily continue around to this 2 o'clock exit in the left lane, as I am sure you can imagine. This of course differs from the more conventional design, and then of course you have "left lane is left/first exit only" designs that aren't immediately obvious either, and if the road paint is rubbed out (as it so often is!) and you don't know the area you more or less have to guess. I think better training to highlight this is in order, and the highway code could do a whole lot better than saying "use the most appropriate lane" when the concept of roundabout design is so nebulous anyway, but really I think we could take a good hard look at how we design roundabouts in the first place.
The thickness of the lines denoting the roads on a map type sign only indicates which are the more important routes at a junction or roundabout and not where the left or right turns off a roundabout are (Chapter 7 Section 5 of the Traffic Signs Manual). Unless the signs and markings show otherwise, the Highway Code states use the left hand lane for the first exit, either lane for straight on (ie the second exit) and the right hand lane for the 3rd or higher exit (in the case on 2 entry and exit lanes).
A roundabout in a retail park near me seems confusing for many. 4 exits, all single lane, at 8, 11, 2.5 and 4 o'clock. The road to enter splits into 2 lanes. Markings show left lane as left & ahead, right lane as ahead and right. Many folk will stay in left lane to take the 3rd (2.5 o'clock) exit, and only use the right lane for the 4th (4 o'clock) exit. I'm a bit hesitant to use the right lane myself for the 3rd exit in this case because I feel like I'm doing it wrong, but surely it'd be safer and it's correct to use the right lane 🤔.
Here in the Netherlands we only have single lane or spiral roundabouts - when visiting the UK I had no idea how to traverse your double lane ones! Tried to be cautious and drive slow in the left lane, but almost caused a crash when taking the left lane for a right turn.
Just stumbled across this video and it’s helped me understand a spiral roundabout (a470 Cardiff onto m4) which is always confusing to me. I didn’t even know of spiral roundabouts until now so thank you 👍
@@Hobbyblasphemist Same here. I fact, I did hear of a young woman (local to my home town) who passed her test, drove home, and stopped at a roundabout, not knowing what to do. I am talking 40 years ago though.
Eddie Hawkins tbf my instructor was very good and I carry on his good practise it’s just that my test centre can’t feasibly expect people to drive a half hour to the nearest two lane roundabout.
@@Hobbyblasphemist Wow! Half an hour is some distance when you're talking about driving tuition. What you've said highlights the problems with calls for motorway tuition prior to testing. You'd need a three or four hour lesson if you live in some parts of England. More if you live in parts of Scotland. I think that the problem in parts of Wales would be similar to East Anglia.
@Eddie Hawkins Wales is smaller, so its less of an issue. We don't have many multi-lane roads in many parts of N Wales near my hometown, however. A lot of drivers from my hometown struggle with those kinds of roads ya see around Liverpool. However, this clutch control is impeccable xD
I thought with sprial roundabouts you was supposed to start in the right lane and spiral out naturally, idk what the point is if most people dont get them, obviously tells you something
I always get cut up at a local round-a-bout, when I join in the left lane, for the first left exit, while people coming straight across, from the right, enter on the right hand lane, traverse the round-a-bout on the inside lane, but then try to exit on the left lane, instead of the right. Effectively cutting across on the exit. (I hope that makes sense).
Well now I’m confused. I always thought the default was left lane for 1st exit or straight on and 2nd exit for turning right. In fact I had this very situation the other day where a car cut me up by going from the inner lane and exited straight on but the exit is just one lane (the B1190 53.2216804, -0.5000630). I didn’t get angry though, just backed off and let them go in front. No argy bargy :) I wish that roundabout was a gyratory, they’re great!
Excellent video and another good upload. This is what my instructor will have me tackle on my next lesson. Fortunately I know the road pretty well as I used to go up it as a passanger in my parents car. I always kept a close eye on the layout and how they used it as it is one of my only routes to use to get into Leicester on my bicycle.
They are very simple when you only think about each one of the roundabouts individually. I think they are pretty clever in that it gives you multiple routes to your exit and can cut down the amount of time you are on the roundabout or waiting to get on the roundabout.
Hello, Ashley, I live really close to where you were filming on Southport Road, so that was really interesting! This was a brilliantly informative video. I’m sure you’re also familiar with the roundabout on Moor Lane in Crosby (going NE from Crosby village), where the continuation of the main road is the 3rd exit, slightly past 12 o’clock. I always assumed everyone was supposed to approach in the right lane and was surprised so many people used the left so I’m glad to see that we’re all right!
IMO, the key is to look at the position of the exit on the approach sign. Those signs don't necessarily accurately show the position of the exits, and are positioned to indicate to you which lane you should take (in the absence of other indications). That last one, for example, would have been a right turn so it is telling you to use the right lane, not the left like you took. I should note that there's nothing on the sign to say that the exit has two lanes. Note that you have to use the sign because you might be new to the area and so don't know the actual position of the exits. Well, that's how the police taught me anyway, but things may well have changed since that was some time ago. Perhaps they teach differently. Those spiral ones are new to me - they're easy enough to work out, but it's interesting to hear it explained in clearer terms.
Some roundabouts are just a nightmare, because some have their exits quite close to each other and in spiral roundabouts, can get confusing. If I put my signal on too early then people would think I'm taking the first exit....
i think spiral roundabouts on motorway interchanges are not always well designed and in many cases are a lazy road solution to what should have more slip roads and exits built.
Oh wow!! I have to watch this a few more times because spiral roundabouts have always been my biggest bug bear with driving. Thank you for clearing alot of this confusion for me up. Although if i miss an exit yes i do tend to stay in the right lane and just go round again 😂
Very helpful. I recently took motorbike lessons after 10 years of driving and I've noticed I am over relying on the sat nav and so I am not looking at the road signs.
I think the Highway Code is slightly different here in Northern Ireland. Anything up to and including 12 o clock is left lane. It's compulsory here in a way it's not in GB.
Sometimes you get a double entry and a single exit for straight on - I know of one place where the entry lane is painted on the road however at busy times you are unable to read the road markings. Info the right lane is painted for straight on although, of course, many use the left at busy times.
there is a roundabout by ours where there is two lanes on the approach but only one exit lane on a second exit that is past 12. people always dive out and assume the second exit is straight and nearly alway plough in its a nightmare
I'm sometimes cheeky with queues at roundabouts, if I need to go left but there's loads of traffic, I'll go into the right lane and do a 360 to exit at junction 1.
There's a very confusing roundabout near me that's nearly got me knocked off my motorbike. Single lane roads, 2 Lane roundabout, but the approach that causes issues splits to 2 lanes for the roundabout. There are no road markings or signs so I would assume left lane for left & straight on, right lane for right. There are 4 exits. According to the signage, it clearly shows 2 exits before 12, 1 at exactly 12, and 1 after 12. However, as the crow flies, the 3rd exit is at around 1 or maybe 2 o'clock. Problems arise when some people the roundabout as the crow flies, some go by the signage. Personally I go by the signage, as that is the information we are given with no prior knowledge of the junction, but I've had people force their way in next to me after coming alongside me on the roundabout. Fortunately I noticed and gave a quick flick of throttle to get out of the way, but had I been less experienced I might not have noticed as they were in my blind spot. I always take this junction with care as it's around 50/50 for cars using each lane
I only use the inside lane if I’m coming off either the last two exits (with last being the full circle and coming off back into the same road I joined from) Unless otherwise directed.
I find it interesting that the governmental body that design a roundabout decide it isn't necessary to create road markings that make it obvious which lane is applicable for which exit.
spiral roundabouts brilliant until the road markings wear out
All roundabouts suffer from paint loss; one local to us has three lanes. Fine when paint is new.but most people in left lane wander into the middle lane when the lane markings wear.
Personally I didn't follow Ashley's reasoning at all on this, from the what i understood he doesn't seem to allow for traffic from other entrances.
Have been dealing with gyratory roundabouts for many years (even though not taught about them) no real problems except for those who don't observe signs and road markings.
Around Gateshead there are multiple big 2-3 lane roundabouts with no road markings at all on approach or on the roundabout and minimal signage. Sometimes I wonder if it’s some sort of experiment being conducted or something, I just don’t know why that’s even allowed?
@@grahamheath3799 traffic should not enter the roundabout next to you from other roads. Both lanes need to be clear to enter the roundabout.
I have a roundabout near me which as I drive upto it the road sign shows the roundabout and the main road that I'm on continues off to the left and and the road I want is showing near straight over just slightly past 12 o'clock on the sign,so,a right turn? or both lanes straight over? it's 2 lanes exiting the roundabout and I plump for lane 2, as there is no actual right turn as there's no other exits around the roundabout, but my road out is physically more straight than to the right as the road sign dictates,so could have vehicles coming up on the inside to go straight over, so it's a matter of watching the nearside mirror when on the roundabout being careful and signalling accordingly.
A gyratory is no problem when you are familiar with it but can be a nightmare when you aren't! Worn out markings or obstructed signage don't help.
Alternatively, you can create your own lane like the Mercedes. 4:55
LOL great spot
And that’s a professional driver, allegedly.
I've noticed more roundabouts, particularly more compact ones, split into two lanes on the approach but have a single exit lane (albeit sometimes quite a wide one) and this isn't always obvious from either road markings or signage.
Yeh these are annoying when you've picked the right lane. Some have two lanes and immediately merge into one just after the exit (with arrows indicating this). I've had angry reactions for coming off using this right lane, even though I would have had no idea it becomes one straight away. I've just let them beep like mad and let them undertake me before merging in. I would like to know the recommended approach, as slowing down to let somebody in lane one undertake doesn't seem entirely safe?
@@robbrown3925 yeah, I've had a nasty experience caused by one of those roundabouts. Three lane entry into a single medium sized island roundabout (London roads for you) with a straight ahead continuation into a three lane exit that immediately merges into 2 after 20m (lane 3 merges into lane 2). Sounds crazy but I've just measured it on Google maps.
Had a guy in a Golf that refused to let me merge on a busy night so I had to accelerate to squeeze in before I ran out of lane (was on a motorbike so could easily out accelerate him and it was either that or emergency stop by that point).
He clearly had anger issues as he blocked me off at the next set of lights, jumped out and after a verbal altercation opened his boot to retrieve a weapon. I had just enough room to get away, but he was after soon chasing after me. Ended up having to do 70 in a 20 and he was still catching. Only got away when I made an unsignalled right turn into a street with parked cars and he understeered wide trying to knock me off. He had to slam the brakes on to avoid rear ending a parked car and I had just enough room to turn back onto the main road and drop him.
Shook me up big time and it was all caused by ridiculous roundabout planning. There's a 3 o clock exit as well, so I have no idea why they can't just make the third lane right hand turn only and build out the kerb on exit to make it only two on exit.
When I encounter this I just accept that I can't exit to the road I want and continue around and either complete a circuit of the roundabout, moving out when possible to allow me to exit from the left lane or take a right exit from the roundabout and sort out the navigation issue as a separate exercise. It's just another example of the missed turning situation and my instructor rubbed it in that you don't try to "make the turn" but take the punishment.
@@rjpm92 I have a similarly shite roundabout near me. But its 1 block from a police station. The moron that started chasing me ran a red behind me and followed me into the police station car park before suddenly popping into reverse and scampering away.
agree a lot like that -- and stright on is an issue with righthand entrance cars cutting in at the last min to take the exit .
As someone who passed is test in 1977, I really didn't know what you meant by "spiral or gyratory roundabouts" but I am familiar with the layouts, and they are quite common and easy to use. I think that the main problem on these roundabouts is lack of respect for other road users rather than lack of understanding as to how to use them.
I have an issue with people not understanding this, especially on a particular roundabout near me I always use. The continuation of the road after the roundabout happens on an exit past 12 o clock. It's a 3 exit roundabout. Left lane is supposed to deal with 1st exit and entering the continuation of the road from the 2nd exit into the left lane. Right lane deals with entering continuation of road on 2nd exit into right lane, and also to take the 3rd exit. You enter the roundabout in two lanes, and you exit onto that continuation in two lanes. Every time I enter the roundabout we play the game of "Will I be cut up today?", because so many people think that they must always enter the roundabout in the right lane if they are taking the 2nd exit, irregardless of what lane they want, purely because it is positioned past 12 o clock. These people will often join in the right lane, but will not exit the roundabout into the right lane. They will swing over to the left lane as they are taking the 2nd exit of the roundabout, leaving me to often deal with people, as I am joining in the left lane, keeping left and then exiting the roundabout in the left lane, cutting me up as we exit the roundabout. In fact just a few days ago I took the roundabout, exited into the left lane, and the guy to my right obviously wanted to be in the left lane, but couldn't move over as I was there. I sped up and he moved into my lane, then continued for the rest of the slow moving traffic ahead to drive right up my arse, purposely inching closer and closer to my car. Someone clearly angry that I knew the correct lane to take.
I admit that I had a hunch there was more to it then the 12 O' clock because 12 O' clock only works for roundabouts based on a square grid, which is what most towns don't do.
There is a notable roundabout which has 3 exits and the third exit is the continuation of the road ahead, therefore, you only really need to put a right hand signal; if you're making a U turn from that direction.
As for leaving roundabouts in the left lane, my instructor taught me that you should always leave the roundabout in the left lane but I've always found it to be a dangerous manoeuvre because you literally switch lanes on the roundabout.
I find that leaving the roundabout in the same lane that you entered it is a lot safer.
In fact, there was a pickup truck on a spiral roundabout that entered the roundabout in the left lane, I was in my lane and we ended up side by side on the roundabout, and we left the roundabout side by side, there was no horn or anything. It was all surprisingly safe!
I think the most important rule on roundabouts is don't ever undertake people unless you are clearly in a lane with a solid white line to your right.
Best guide for roundabouts, treat EVERY other driver like they're an idiot and they will probably do something stupid.
Not just don't undertake but also leave plenty of room for vehicles on your right to move over into your lane.
This is a superb lesson on roundabouts. I was never taught most of this (and I don’t think many are). I had figured out most of this, but only from experience of watching how others do roundabouts (and probably a few near misses!). I think differentiating between normal and spiral roundabouts is important too - spiral roundabouts are great but I agree people don’t quite understand it’s completely different rules.
Yeh i was taught none of this at all, yet it is an extremely important aspect of driving. Funny to think that i was taught that mobility scooters have yellow lights, yet nothing to do with the logic on these roundabouts were even mentioned.
Was slightly unsure about to treat roundabouts and what lane you can carry on round.
This has helped me even though I’ve already passed. Thanks
BMW with indicators. Special Edition?
He keeps the fluid topped up.
It's a cosmetic addition
😂😂😂
Nice to see your BMW's indicator fluid hasn't been used up like most of them that are out on the roads.
P.s. great video, alot of people could be doing with watching it
I saw a BMW indicating once; I reported it as stolen.
Flopsinator LOL
Audi drivers are the same.
That roundabout sign was very good to view try to read some on the Leister ring road totally covered in tree foliage until wintertime.
Passed my driving test yesterday! channel has been a big help 😎👌🏻
Great job 👏👏👏Thanks for letting me know. Ashley
Oh damn! Congrats bud! My next driving lessons are on the 8th week of the year, and since I arranged them to start from my new workplace and end near my home, it will be very interesting, especially if the snow will still be a thing in my region. I also picked up a couple tips from my dad.
Vikingboar good luck with your lessons 😃
Now you start Learning how to drive...Congrats!
@@69Phuket Thanks!
I prefer to use the left lane out of two for straight on. I've found this creates less conflict with drivers as you move across from the roundabout's centre. If you pick the right lane for straight on, you have to watch for cars coming round in the left lane. If you pick the left lane, you're not going to interfere with drivers nearer the centre in the right lane, though they'll have to watch for you so make it easier by not "catching up" with drivers in the centre of the roundabout. Ideally the "inside" lane (ironically furthest from the centre of the roundabout) should move at an equal or lower angular velocity than the "outside" (which is closer to the centre of the roundabout). When I say angular velocity, I mean the proportion of the roundabout completed in a given time, as drivers nearest the centre will not have to go as fast for an equal angular velocity.
Obviously, you can't guarantee no conflict because drivers can enter from any of the 4 roads. Someone entering from the lane to the right of you to make a right turn (which is straight on for you) could cut across in front of you if you go too fast round the left lane.
10:10 It honestly amazes me how many people really do struggle with these. There's a set of 2 spiral roundabouts one after another just near me and I take it regularly to get to most places where I live. And even despite the lines being freshly painted, I'm still constantly almost getting sidled into by people who don't seem to understand the concept of staying within a lane.
I have been driving over 40 years, first motor bikes and then cars, and I am loving these videos. Riding motor bikes is a great caution teacher, drive like everyone is out to get you!
Watching the videos I get to remember things I forgot and learn new stuff as well especially since driving on our roads has changed dramatically over that time. Another great bonus for me is that I am from Liverpool and live in the area so I get to see you explain many of the roads I drive along. Brilliant! 😎
I've been driving since July 1986. I 𝙝𝙖𝙩𝙚 and I'm equally 𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙧𝙞𝙛𝙞𝙚𝙙 by gyratory roundabouts and avoid them like the plague! I make excuses to my 20ish year old driver daughters, that I have poor night vision, to avoid driving on them, at night or any time. I try to stick to A roads.
But since watching your wonderful and simple (thank goodness) explanation, I've downloaded this video and clipped the revelant section so I watch it over and over and over.... you get the message.
We off for a weekend away and I was, trying to avoid the M25. But, I think I'll give it a try, with it's many gyratory roundabouts now 👍🏾
It differs from other countries. I was taught to exit Always from the outer lane. We are trained to avoid exiting in the second lane. Plus lorries are trained to keep on the outer lane on the roundabout (with the Indicator showing they are staying on it) --> it is to avoid them having to cross a lane to exit - that one lane where they have a huge blindspot. Sensible.
I soon got used to the British way of using roundabouts, but I do Wonder how lorry drivers are trained to use them in the UK...
Well I don’t know about lorries but buses are taught to use them just like cars do, with some differences such as using both lanes (if only 2 lanes) if the space is required, signals r obvious but car drivers are mostly idiots on the roundabouts. They either go too fast or don’t signal or both!
That’s because our lorry drivers have shit for brains, that’s why they drive lorries for a living.
Always safer to use left lane if going straight across.. unless you know the roundabout has two lanes (or a filter), on the exit. So for me, its all about local knowledge. When in an unfamiliar area, I always err to caution and stay left.
Spiral roundabouts. I learned something new and very useful. Thanks!
In Barnsley I’ve seen many near misses where someone from lane 2 takes the first exit and someone from lane 1 continues straight forward. Inches apart sometimes!
I wouldn’t go straight on in the right-hand lane because of the fear of a car coming from the left coming straight across my path because they are thinking that I am indicating to go right weather I indicate or not
Passed my test first time yesterday watched your videos for weeks leading up to it helped a lot thanks!
Great point Ashley, and one that I wish was better covered. There's a roundabout local to me that always causes me problems. It has 2 lanes that both go straight on, leading onto a very short stretch of road before another roundabout, on which only the right hand lane goes straight. The arrows on the first roundabout are faded, but still quite visible if you're paying attention. But I often come into conflict with drivere who go straight on from the left hand lane and then just blindly wander into my path because they need the right- hand lane for the next roundabout. Regardless of who is right or wrong, you do NOT change lanes without checking. Yet it's pandemic here among drivers of all ages. Frightening so it is!
😵 17years driving and this is the first I've heard of spiral roundabouts. After seeing you I'm obviously aware I've been on a few now, nervously to be honest, as they always seemed a little 'off' compared to normal roundabouts. Eye opener! My bug with roundabouts has always been people waiting for the last second before jumping two lanes across to exit.
Great video . I've been driveing f9r years now and even ive got to admit that multi lane roundabouts catch me out . So it's nice to see even now I'm learning new things about our roads
I struggled with roundabouts, but my instructor always told me what lanes to use anyway.
Wish I asked for more time on them, but this video clears up having to always learn a roundabout. Now I might be able to tackle unfamiliar ones in future
You can always book lessons with an instructor and ask them for a refresher lesson or two for roundabouts.
your a really good driving instructor other driving instructors do not give this amount of detail to reading roads and navigating in a car infact this makes learners safer and helps them and others to avoid accidents and this I feel should be taught by every instructor. my instructor wasn't that good it was more me wanting to learn asking questions and getting my hours in than him teaching me to drive. once i passed my test i had to teach myself so many things other people learnt while driving and also just driving by myself
Massively useful and shared, thank you! I was never instructed on dealing with spiral RABs, so I hate doing them when driving on m'ways or built-up areas.
Changing the colour of hazard lines when there is a continuation of the road would solve a lot of confusion.
An Aussie here saying thanks for the video on this important subject. I'm not sure our roundabout rules are 100% the same as the UK's but I would reckon they are top of the list down here as far as uncertainty is concerned, which is why I try & keep informed.
Your '12 O'clock' point was very good at just creating that clear image of what is straight & how to think about it. Thanks again.
Damn, even after passing your videos are pure gold.
Been waiting for this video for the 2 years I’ve been driving 😂
Brilliant video. People in my local area has a bit of trouble with using one of its 3 lane roundabouts, and I think that's largely because they follow these "rules of thumb" that you get at near the beginning. Adding this 3rd lane leaves a lot of folk confused about what lane they should be in when frankly, I think the signs and road markings make things pretty clear.
This was actually incredibly helpful
So ridiculous, need a PhD in roundabouts driving around
nah - you pick them up really quickly and they're a lot simpler in practice than they seem in principle.
Most will have the lanes marked so you have to do is just follow what they say - even without that the general rules are simple enough to pick them up pretty quick.
Not only that, compared to say a 4 way intersection controlled by traffic lights - like they commonly use in the US - they allow traffic to flow faster and cause less accidents.
It does seem that way. There are way better ways of designing roundabouts with more capacity than a single lane one than this two lane bullshit.
I had so many near misses on the roundabouts in my town last year I put in a dash cam, people either not giving way or can't be bothered to use their indicators.
everything about the spiral roundabouts has been *golden*, ive been driving for years and knowing exactly what lane to pick on multi lane, multi exit roundabouts like that has probably been my #1 weakness in driving, i think simply because they were rarely featured on any of my lesson/test routes so i had limited practice before hitting the road all on my own!! i did manage to safely pick my way through one which i had to take regularly for a job a few years back having only had to navigate shorter, easier roundabouts to that point. it was pretty nerve racking but thankfully i just had a kind of "remember LANE DISCIPLINE, keep giving way to the right same as any other roundabout you'd be on, mirror signal manoeuvre, and just try to follow the road markings to your exit, you'll be fine" thought process/acting on instinct throughout. Managed not to clip any other cars or get beeped at so hopefully did ok with it, ha!
seeing this put down in video is superb and your explanations are clear and excellent. incredibly valuable, very glad i saw this!!
edit: also oddly reassuring/comforting that it wasnt just me and it might be an issue with broader training/the highway code
Driver have so much to learn from this channel.
Two lanes in two out = straight on L&R. The first RAB that comes to mind for me and I would not expect to see cars from left lane going around. Would expect other cars to toot. BUT at 4:20 there are white lines on your RAB and you drove over. You have to indicate for changing lane and for exiting.
The RAB I'm thinking of is the A23 with A236. Traffic density and dominant flow varies throughout the day and the week. Usage varies and what is understood as normal on a weekday morning is different on a weekend evening. Patience and sharing....not always apparent.
I think of the phrase: When in Rome do as the Romans do.............
Enjoying your videos as I'm also a driver whose been on the road 25yrs plus. These videos showing how you should approach roundabouts are exceptionally good, but one thing that's missing is how fast you should be going when approaching the roundabout. So many people speed up at roundabouts to get there before cars coming from the right. When in actual fact you should slow down to 20 - 25 mph according to the Highway code.
Thank you for the explanations, particularly the last roundabout in the video where it looks like a right turn but you treat it as a straight on as it is a continuation of the main road - I have a roundabout like that in my test area and my instructor has told me this is the way the examiners want you to do it but in his opinion it should be treated like a right turn but he was unable to tell me why the examiners want it treated like a straight on. This has helped me to understand!
I passed in 94, I've driven a lot, sometimes in a lorry, It's funny because I couldn't explain any of this but I just know it almost "subconsciously". I really dislike being a passenger unless the driver is completely at ease and chilled in all situations, thats the price you pay for unconscious competence
It's so much easier to experience actual driving than watching videos to learn from I found. I've been driving now for about 10 years. And watching driving videos to learn used to cause me immense anxiety. I always found once I was in the car driving it was so much better. Currently 10 years on the road, never been in an accident, full no claims and love driving! even with the unbelivalby destroyed roads / pot holes / speed bumps insane traffic in Reading and London haha..
There are a few roundabouts near me in Oxford that are nearly spiral roundabouts in that you have to follow a route that changes lanes (they have 3 lanes), but are not marked all the way round. They are confusing. There is one with a marked right turn lane on the approach, but by the time you have passed the second, straight ahead, exit, there are 3 lanes: right for a U-turn, left to turn left, middle to turn left then immediately right once off the roundabout. Cars go all sorts of ways there.
Roundabouts that lead on to Motorways just all go to pot around the bend...The lines go haywire.
Not easy to keep in the lane all the way round to the exit. It's a bit of free fall.
A very good series of videos. Information is good for the UK roads, but if driving in Europe, be aware that the local rules do appear to be different.
In Spain, I was warned about roundabout rules, and have seen motorist and learner cars do the following; enter a four exit roundabout on the right hand lane and stay in that lane until they leave at the third or fourth exit.
It catches many people out but it is a very common practice, and as I said, I have seen a number of learner cars do this.
Anyone else seen 'unusual practices' at overseas roundabouts?
My first rule on using a roundabout is to assume all other users are idiots. When I first learned to ride a motorcycle in nineteensixtywubble I encountered the two major subdivisions of terror: buttock clenching; and testicle-retracting, when car drivers would try to exit from lane 2 when I was in lane 1 proceeding straight on. That soon taught me either to keep slightly ahead of, or slightly behind, vehicles to my right. If the former, the driver might read my intentions; if the latter I could read theirs and survive.
I had never noticed the thicker line on signs indicating the main route through the roundabout. Now knowing that, I have checked a few roundabouts near me, and I wish other road vehicle users had been taught about it - it helps a lot.
Very strange thing we don't learn things like this, nor in theory, nor in practical. But we have to memorise such things as which vehicle has which beacons, and I understand it is - sort of - important to know, but this kind of things showed in this video are much more important. Never heard of this in this much depth, what's more, any depth. Watching UA-cam videos helped me a lot, but it is insane we pay hell of a money for proper lessons, and the instructors are too lazy or careless to explain it, just "roundabout ahead, do what you have to do".
Thank you for this video. I still have questions and I am unsure, but it is a bit clearer now.
Fantastic video Ashley highliting some rarely discussed issues, I sincerely hope your pupils appreciate it as much as fellow ADI's.
Loved the point about the continuation of the Rd ahead being significant even if its past 12 o'clock.
If I could indulge myself on a personal point, I avoid using the word choice, when referring to 2 lanes going ahead, this could lead to drivers to take the left lane on a Monday and the right hand lane on a Tuesday (you get my point), i suggest to them, by all means take the right hand lane, when you have a distinct reason to, eg, slow traffic in left, cars indicating left for 1st exit, perhaps if you turning right shortly after, or indeed your valid point at 8.08 when your unsure.
This is another video I will pass on to my pupils, much appreciated.
Well described, as ever. It’s one of those things that varies a lot from place to place. Sometimes the local authority modifies the road layout, typically to assist ‘rush hour’ traffic. In recent year’s I’ve come across a few of those. E.g. at one of them, it used to possible to use lane 1 to go straight on, but it became ‘left only’; possible to read the road markings when there isn’t anything on it! For straight on it became lane 2 only (which now splits into 2 for the last 50m or so into the roundabout ahead, which was widened out for the left only lane onto the first exit.
Sometimes if it’s an unfamiliar long distance trip, I have a look at online maps - although there’s no guarantee that they are up to date, to see if there’s anything odd about the layout. Sometimes road signage on the approach is not that helpful, especially if they haven’t tweaked it to match the lane marking changes.
These days, there are many junctions where road lane markings are so worn out, that it’s awkward to see them in some weather conditions.
What I will say Ashley is that there's a big difference in driving tests from town to town, which an mean things like spiral roundabouts are not that common in certain areas and so exposure to them is limited. Close to where I live are a series of roundabouts, including two spirals, a double / twin roundabout, a bunch of regular ones, plus a few oblong and oddly shaped ones. The core roundabouts are fine in the most part, but the issues start to crop up at the nonstandard.
1. On the twin-roundabouts you merge on a mini roundabout, and there is a second larger one just after it. It's effectively just a T junction to increase traffic flow from one of the roads. The bad habit is for people to still treat it as a T junction with the normal priorities because they are leaving the main roundabout, and / or fail to signal for the mini roundabout. While those joining at the mini-roundabout are caught with oncoming traffic approaching at speed. The next complexity is that two of the approaches are single lanes, going to two lanes, while the other approach from the roundabout is a double lane into a single with a left turn only. That left turn only lane is not adequately indicated to those on the main roundabout entrance.
2. On the spiral roundabouts the biggest issue is people not going across to the right lane to start with. When a single lane approach leads to two lanes on the roundabout, you must cross into the central lane and then follow the spiral to your destination. At the same time, leavers of the roundabout must take their required lane to depart. What you tend to see are people all joining in lane 1, then trying to hold that lane even as it naturally ends. Meanwhile people who follow the lane discipline required are left in awkward situations. Often the spirals Lane 1 takes you past multiple exits in close proximity, and signalling can be confusing for those trying to join. One near here has a lane 1 that completely cuts across a valid exit for lane 2. I would love a driving instructor to clarify what actually is meant to happen, but it was often ignored on our routes.
Watch a few of the dashcam videos to see what really happens on roundabouts. Even if you follow your rules there are occasions where the paths of vehicles may cross, so give other people the chance to change lanes, don't overtake on the roundabout, indicate if you have to change lanes and always keep an eye on the car on your inside, he may want the next exit. And use your indicators.
Oh why have I not seen this sooner. Excellent explanation and much needed by so many.
I would argue that although both lanes can be used the preferred lane when going ahead so to speak should be the right lane:
1. It tells waiting traffic you are not going left (not all drivers have spare indicator arms)
2. It allows for quicker and more efficient flow of traffic
Generally you'd use the left lane for left and straight on and the right for turning right. We drive on the left, so that should be the default position.
@@IAMShteve I regard the basic roundabout as a crossroad with a disk in the middle to enable multiple vehicles to cross, turn left, right at the same time. At a crossroad where the junction widens (fans out) do you follow the kerb over to the left of lane when you want to go straight across?
This is exactly what I needed. Where I lived when I learned we didn’t have a roundabout. So as a result I’ve always struggled with roundabouts.
I would just like to say that your positioning is spot on in both situations as you enter and on going around the roundabout, but, on preparation to exit, you start to indicate as you pass a car that is waiting to join the roundabout from the entry before your exit. This, I would suggest is not correct, where you should start to indicate, in my opinion is, as you pass the last exit before the exit you intend taking. This way the waiting driver will see that you intend to exit after their entry point and can prepare accordingly. I also see so many people indicate their intention to go round, yet take an exit whilst still indicating right!!!
I know it's not an accolade, but my driving experience goes back to 1970 when I passed my car driving test and 1974 when I passed my motorbike driving test. I have also passed the IAD test in a car and on motorbike. I also used to instruct colleagues in my place of work (a school) who did not have the required qualification on their driving licence to drive 18 seat minibuses, all of whom subsequently passed their test first time. By the way, I also drive a BMW (a 530D touring), and my bike was a BMW (no longer ride bikes due to arthritis in my hands), and my indicators really do work.
Fantastic material, thank you. Only last Saturday I had a near miss, when a driver decided to go around in left lane, while I was in right. There was something strange in his/her behaviour and only this stopped me going straight while he/she was going around...
The last one was the one I was not sure of. A continuation of the road past 12 o'clock with 2 lanes into the roundabout and one lane on the exit. As I thought use either lane.
It is worth saying that there may be local signage that tells you differently.
The only time I grabbed the wheel when my son learned to drive he was in the right hand lane to go straight on when another vehicle tried it on the left - but a sign at the side of the road and markings in the road made clear that only the right hand lane can be used to go straight on. The reason is that only a single lane is available to exit.
It was the other driver who was at fault but a useful lesson for my son that others may get it wrong,
I got a couple of great tips from this. Thanks so much for making this video!
in the most complex situations of multi entrance and exit, it is generally safest to assume each lane on the edges can perform 2 functions, go off, and straight or go around and straight. otherwise just read the effing road markings.
There's a medium sized roundabout neat me that has two single lane exits before 12 o'clock and two after, obviously this applies whichever direction your coming from, however one of the exits and two of the entry roads have two lanes (it's a slip road to a dual carriageway). Helpfully there are no arrows to guide people into one lane or the other, with the inevitable consequence that vehicles get in each others way.
I've been watching this channel for a couple of days. Since we drive on "the other" side of the road, I have to apply a lot of"mirror image" while watching. But roundabouts are a bit too much 😂 will keep on watching other videos though. Common sense is a common sense after all 😉 a lot of useful information 👍
Brilliant! I was a "12 o'clock" roundabout driver. This video opened my eyes!
Glad it was helpful!
We've got plenty of spiral roundabouts in Peterborough, all are on dual carriageways but none of these are on motorways. Like you I was never trained on them, but was told to follow the signs and markings to get where I need to be.
I think an important point to remember for any driver is to expect other road user's to make mistakes on roundabouts and be prepared to help them correct that mistake rather than speeding up to emphasise and shame their mistake. This is particularly important on non-standard or complicated roundabouts, especially ones that rely heavily on road markings, that can be obscured by heavy traffic, rather than signs. Even the best of drivers can make mistakes on unfamiliar roundabouts and it is much better to slow down and let them in safely than trying to punish them for that mistake.
@ 2:50 the only problem is, just before i exit in lane 2 at the 2nd exit(as you do in the video at this point), the cars from your 1st exit start to set off as they think youre going round as youre in the directional right lane, which sometimes means you cant exit in lane 2, doesn't make sense :S
Great video and well explained. I have been driving nearly 10 years but enjoy watching your videos as it's always good to keep learning. Great point in particular about noting the continuation of the main road through the roundabout. I was never actually taught about this directly but common sense and logic saw me picking it up as I went along.
My main issue with roundabout design in the UK is that there just isn't enough consistency, which is well highlighted by the different variations of design evident through your video. Driving in the UK (and most places I guess) is for the most part completely straightforward and black and white. Red light? Stop. Give way junction? Give way. Stop junction? Stop and give way. Motorway? Drive on the left unless overtaking or lane closure (etc). Yet when it comes to roundabouts, the design can vary so wildly it's no wonder people can get confused. About the only thing that you can consistently say is true of roundabouts is that you give way to people coming from the right, and that they're roughly circular. There's a particular one that springs straight to mind in Scotland where the main road continuing "straight on" is actually at the 2 o'clock position, with only one minor exit to the left. You can happily continue around to this 2 o'clock exit in the left lane, as I am sure you can imagine. This of course differs from the more conventional design, and then of course you have "left lane is left/first exit only" designs that aren't immediately obvious either, and if the road paint is rubbed out (as it so often is!) and you don't know the area you more or less have to guess.
I think better training to highlight this is in order, and the highway code could do a whole lot better than saying "use the most appropriate lane" when the concept of roundabout design is so nebulous anyway, but really I think we could take a good hard look at how we design roundabouts in the first place.
Nice comment. Thanks, Ashley.
The thickness of the lines denoting the roads on a map type sign only indicates which are the more important routes at a junction or roundabout and not where the left or right turns off a roundabout are (Chapter 7 Section 5 of the Traffic Signs Manual). Unless the signs and markings show otherwise, the Highway Code states use the left hand lane for the first exit, either lane for straight on (ie the second exit) and the right hand lane for the 3rd or higher exit (in the case on 2 entry and exit lanes).
Absolutely cracking video. I learnt something new again today 👍👍👍
A roundabout in a retail park near me seems confusing for many.
4 exits, all single lane, at 8, 11, 2.5 and 4 o'clock.
The road to enter splits into 2 lanes. Markings show left lane as left & ahead, right lane as ahead and right.
Many folk will stay in left lane to take the 3rd (2.5 o'clock) exit, and only use the right lane for the 4th (4 o'clock) exit. I'm a bit hesitant to use the right lane myself for the 3rd exit in this case because I feel like I'm doing it wrong, but surely it'd be safer and it's correct to use the right lane 🤔.
Here in the Netherlands we only have single lane or spiral roundabouts - when visiting the UK I had no idea how to traverse your double lane ones! Tried to be cautious and drive slow in the left lane, but almost caused a crash when taking the left lane for a right turn.
I was always taught, by BSM, to exit in to the left hand lane if it is clear and safe to do so, regardless of which lane I used to enter the island
Just stumbled across this video and it’s helped me understand a spiral roundabout (a470 Cardiff onto m4) which is always confusing to me. I didn’t even know of spiral roundabouts until now so thank you 👍
Some roundabouts are left hand lane turn right, and right hand lanes are turning left.
The continuation of the road was never explained to me on any lessons
i had one lesson on roundabouts but my instructor wasn't bothered because my centre's test route has a grand sum of no roundabouts.
@@Hobbyblasphemist Same here. I fact, I did hear of a young woman (local to my home town) who passed her test, drove home, and stopped at a roundabout, not knowing what to do. I am talking 40 years ago though.
Eddie Hawkins tbf my instructor was very good and I carry on his good practise it’s just that my test centre can’t feasibly expect people to drive a half hour to the nearest two lane roundabout.
@@Hobbyblasphemist Wow! Half an hour is some distance when you're talking about driving tuition. What you've said highlights the problems with calls for motorway tuition prior to testing. You'd need a three or four hour lesson if you live in some parts of England. More if you live in parts of Scotland. I think that the problem in parts of Wales would be similar to East Anglia.
@Eddie Hawkins Wales is smaller, so its less of an issue. We don't have many multi-lane roads in many parts of N Wales near my hometown, however. A lot of drivers from my hometown struggle with those kinds of roads ya see around Liverpool. However, this clutch control is impeccable xD
I thought with sprial roundabouts you was supposed to start in the right lane and spiral out naturally, idk what the point is if most people dont get them, obviously tells you something
I always get cut up at a local round-a-bout, when I join in the left lane, for the first left exit, while people coming straight across, from the right, enter on the right hand lane, traverse the round-a-bout on the inside lane, but then try to exit on the left lane, instead of the right. Effectively cutting across on the exit. (I hope that makes sense).
Well now I’m confused. I always thought the default was left lane for 1st exit or straight on and 2nd exit for turning right.
In fact I had this very situation the other day where a car cut me up by going from the inner lane and exited straight on but the exit is just one lane (the B1190 53.2216804, -0.5000630). I didn’t get angry though, just backed off and let them go in front. No argy bargy :)
I wish that roundabout was a gyratory, they’re great!
Excellent video and another good upload. This is what my instructor will have me tackle on my next lesson. Fortunately I know the road pretty well as I used to go up it as a passanger in my parents car. I always kept a close eye on the layout and how they used it as it is one of my only routes to use to get into Leicester on my bicycle.
You should take a trip to Swindon and do a video on the infamous Magic Roundabout! Did a driving test there in 1975 and found it a nightmare.
They are very simple when you only think about each one of the roundabouts individually. I think they are pretty clever in that it gives you multiple routes to your exit and can cut down the amount of time you are on the roundabout or waiting to get on the roundabout.
I learned so much from you Ash today. I’m hopeless at these massive roundabouts, and will certainly improve my driving by following your lead.
8:11 I think that every time you have a clip of someone cutting across from the right; just *go around* if you missed your exit the first time!
Amazing video as always.
Also, this video looked beautiful. Great cinematography. 👌 Well edited too.
Hello, Ashley, I live really close to where you were filming on Southport Road, so that was really interesting! This was a brilliantly informative video. I’m sure you’re also familiar with the roundabout on Moor Lane in Crosby (going NE from Crosby village), where the continuation of the main road is the 3rd exit, slightly past 12 o’clock. I always assumed everyone was supposed to approach in the right lane and was surprised so many people used the left so I’m glad to see that we’re all right!
IMO, the key is to look at the position of the exit on the approach sign. Those signs don't necessarily accurately show the position of the exits, and are positioned to indicate to you which lane you should take (in the absence of other indications). That last one, for example, would have been a right turn so it is telling you to use the right lane, not the left like you took. I should note that there's nothing on the sign to say that the exit has two lanes. Note that you have to use the sign because you might be new to the area and so don't know the actual position of the exits.
Well, that's how the police taught me anyway, but things may well have changed since that was some time ago. Perhaps they teach differently. Those spiral ones are new to me - they're easy enough to work out, but it's interesting to hear it explained in clearer terms.
when going around a roundabout i always use the correct lane and use my indicator as soon as i am in a position to take the "next" exit.
What about a two lane approach and a single lane on the other side?
Some roundabouts are just a nightmare, because some have their exits quite close to each other and in spiral roundabouts, can get confusing. If I put my signal on too early then people would think I'm taking the first exit....
i think spiral roundabouts on motorway interchanges are not always well designed and in many cases are a lazy road solution to what should have more slip roads and exits built.
We have a roundabout near me that on a dual carriageway where only the right lane has a give way line, the left lane is straight through.
Oh wow!! I have to watch this a few more times because spiral roundabouts have always been my biggest bug bear with driving.
Thank you for clearing alot of this confusion for me up. Although if i miss an exit yes i do tend to stay in the right lane and just go round again 😂
Very helpful. I recently took motorbike lessons after 10 years of driving and I've noticed I am over relying on the sat nav and so I am not looking at the road signs.
I think the Highway Code is slightly different here in Northern Ireland. Anything up to and including 12 o clock is left lane. It's compulsory here in a way it's not in GB.
Sometimes you get a double entry and a single exit for straight on - I know of one place where the entry lane is painted on the road however at busy times you are unable to read the road markings. Info the right lane is painted for straight on although, of course, many use the left at busy times.
there is a roundabout by ours where there is two lanes on the approach but only one exit lane on a second exit that is past 12.
people always dive out and assume the second exit is straight and nearly alway plough in
its a nightmare
Thank-you. I always wondered about this. Good clarification.
I'm sometimes cheeky with queues at roundabouts, if I need to go left but there's loads of traffic, I'll go into the right lane and do a 360 to exit at junction 1.
There's a very confusing roundabout near me that's nearly got me knocked off my motorbike. Single lane roads, 2 Lane roundabout, but the approach that causes issues splits to 2 lanes for the roundabout. There are no road markings or signs so I would assume left lane for left & straight on, right lane for right.
There are 4 exits. According to the signage, it clearly shows 2 exits before 12, 1 at exactly 12, and 1 after 12. However, as the crow flies, the 3rd exit is at around 1 or maybe 2 o'clock.
Problems arise when some people the roundabout as the crow flies, some go by the signage. Personally I go by the signage, as that is the information we are given with no prior knowledge of the junction, but I've had people force their way in next to me after coming alongside me on the roundabout. Fortunately I noticed and gave a quick flick of throttle to get out of the way, but had I been less experienced I might not have noticed as they were in my blind spot. I always take this junction with care as it's around 50/50 for cars using each lane
Good clear explanation. If only every driver in the UK would watch and understand this video...
I only use the inside lane if I’m coming off either the last two exits (with last being the full circle and coming off back into the same road I joined from)
Unless otherwise directed.
I find it interesting that the governmental body that design a roundabout decide it isn't necessary to create road markings that make it obvious which lane is applicable for which exit.