How To Use A Roundabout

Roundabouts were designed to make a traffic flow at nasty junctions. They are a good alternative to traffic lights in country with countless road junctions.

Roundabouts work best if, as you approach them, you play close attention to traffic coming from the right. Try to arrive at the roundabout prepared to stop, but ready to go. Try to arrive at a gap in the traffic that will let you drive safely into a gap.

Your driving instructor, or driving school, might spend more thant one driving lesson on roundabouts. It depends how many roundabouts there are in your area.

Observation is the key to good roundabout skills. Oh, and giving way to the right.

The UK has tens of thousands roundabouts, each one will fit into one of three types. They are Major (large, busy and noisy); Minor. and Mini.

Major roundabouts tend to serve junctions that get busy. They will have signage and may be trees or be built up in someway.

Minor Roundabouts tend to serve smaller junctions. They may have less signage and be less built up.

Your driving instructor might spend a whole driving lesson practicing roundabouts. There are various ways of teaching this skill.

Good roundabout skills means using the MSPSL driving system

Seeing The clues include signs, grass, trees and traffic. All might show up a roundabout.

Assess Is it busy or quiet? Is it open or closed? Ask yourself how busy is this roundabout and how well can I see into the approaches. the busier the roundabout, or the less you can see, the slower you should approach it

Mirrors Centre and left or Centre and right

Signal Signal right if you are going more than 180 degrees around the roundabout. If you are taking the first exit signal left.

Position Left for a left turn. Right for a right turn. Left for straight ahead unless signs or traffic indicate otherwise.

Speed Arrive at the roundabout at a speed which means you are ready to stop, but prepared to go. Try to arrive at the mouth of the roundabout at a gap in the traffic. Although you are trying to avoid stopping you may have to. It depends on the traffic.

Look Look for a safe gap to enter the roundabout

On the roundabout Stay in your lane unless the road signs or markings say otherwise.

Leaving the roundabout Just before the exit before your exit check the centre and left mirrors. Across the exit before your exit signal left

Mini - Roundabouts These mean a nasty junction. It may not be nasty from your side, but one of the side roads will not be able to see much.

Take them in a slow second gear. You should signal left to leave the roundabout. It might not be possible, so just complete the roundabout safely.