Round abouts

[EVLKNEVL]

http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/home/...oundabouts.htm

Going straight ahead
If there are multiple lanes, approach the roundabout in the left or right lane. Drive in the same lane through the roundabout. Do not signal on your approach to the roundabout, but if practicable, signal left as you exit.

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by EVLKNEVL

http://www.vicroads.vic.gov.au/home/...oundabouts.htm

Thats right, I only indicate left out of a roundabout if its huge or has a lot of exits.

[Ben73]

People just make it up as they go.
Here there is a roundabout where people turn 'right' (Third exit) from both the left and right lanes. Everyone does it, the way the roundabout is painted it makes it look like you are allowed to do that. It just goes against the roundabout rule of Don't go around the roundabout from left lane.

[cobramania]

Originally Posted by Ben73

People just make it up as they go.
Here there is a roundabout where people turn 'right' (Third exit) from both the left and right lanes. Everyone does it, the way the roundabout is painted it makes it look like you are allowed to do that. It just goes against the roundabout rule of Don't go around the roundabout from left lane.

What one is that, I can't place it?

If it's the one at the end of the F3 at Berro, when you're leaving the F3 heading North, there is only 1 lane exit on both the first & second exits. Turning right, (third exit) there's 2 lanes on exit. So when leaving the F3, right lane is right turn only, left lane is left turn/straight on (first & second exits) or right turn (third Exit). The road is marked/painted that way too, including arrows painted in each lane on the road. Also helps semi-trailers leaving the F3 heading to Hexham/Pacific Hwy to the North Coast, get around the roundabout without having to run wide & use both lanes, only to have some moron wanting to go straight (take the second exit) go up the inside of them in the right lane.

If it's the Jesmond roundabout, there's only 3 exits, & on the long side (no exit), there's 3 lanes, coming from Lambton, straight through (first exit) is left lane & middle lane, turn right (second exit) is middle & inside/right lane, again the road is designed like that & fully marked.

I can't place any others in the Lower Hunter, where I've seen people turn right (take the third exit) while using the left lane?

[xisled]

The give way to your right and give way to anyone already on the roundabout is the same thing. It is assumed that the car on your right needs to travel the further distance. So if you have an accident in a roundabout the car on the right is assumed to have travelled the greater distance therefore must of been in the roundabout first.

There is other factors such as speed but in insurance claims this is the general rule.

[Silver Ghia]

Here in roundabout city, Sunbury Vic, we have lots of double laned roundabouts one after the other. The arrows marked show a right turn can be made from both lanes, the next roundabout you can do left turns from both lanes, then the next right turn only in the right lane.

No wonder people get confused and treat these as single laned roundabouts, and so many accidents when cars look like they are exiting, but are going around the roundabout in the left lane. As someone suggested, just look at the front wheels to see which way they are going to go. Forget the indicators as a clue.

Drivers have no idea what to do at roundabouts, especially double laned ones. The ambiguity in the rules help that a lot, lack of policing, plus the learners dont get taught the correct way either. What hope has anyone got? Except for the panel beaters.

[hawkgirl]

today i had 2 morons at 2 different roundabouts indicating right turns then going straight ahead.
The "new" roundabout rules heralded in nsw are the #%^&%^ same as when I got my p plates in the early 90's. Its not new and its not that hard.

/rant off

[noflac52]

Originally Posted by xisled

The give way to your right and give way to anyone already on the roundabout is the same thing. It is assumed that the car on your right needs to travel the further distance. So if you have an accident in a roundabout the car on the right is assumed to have travelled the greater distance therefore must of been in the roundabout first.

There is other factors such as speed but in insurance claims this is the general rule.

I can't agree with give way to the right and give way to anyone in the roundabout being the same thing!!!
This is where charging the roundabout springs from. People charge the roundabout at speed trying to force the car entering the roundabout on their left from entering and if the car on the left enters before the car on the right crosses the entry point they are entitled to do so and have the expectation that the vehicle approaching the roundabout and entering after them should be doing so at a safe speed. This charging is a contributor to many roundabout accidents because of the blurring of correct ruling for entering.

When ever you approach any intersection you have a reasonable expectation that the other vehicles are travelling at or below the posted speed limit.

[UberKnee]

Give way to the right. Im pretty sure thats the basic rule of roundabouts, the problem is alot of people were never taught what to do at roundabouts as they've only been introduced in the last few decades. Then you get alot of people who just have the "I'm first mentality".

[sgt_doofey]

They put in a round-a-bout in one of the towns next to ours (country SA) and the local paper ran a story on how to use it.
Surely, if people have a license, they know how to navigate a round-a-bout?

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by rancidpunx

image

Yes, this again lol - because nobody in Australia, including the road authorities, seems to understand the principles of roundabouts. So, for the time-being, this is the "law" (of the jungle):

Originally Posted by mike_nofx

Also worth noting about round-a-bouts is that at least 50% of people still believe the law is "give way to your right" OR dont care what the law is and do that anyway.

So when approaching a round-a-bout, expect that the driver approaching from your right has a 1 in 2 chance of wanting to slow down, even if technically you are doing the right thing.

So only enter if it looks safe, and dont expect the guy on your right to slow down. I'd rather let some knob-jockey take my spot than be T-boned.

There are several posts in this thread with wrong information or understanding but I'm a bit weary of going over it all again. If the road authorities can't understand it and explain it properly then you can't expect road users to and mike_nofx is on the ball.

Either that or close your eyes before you enter the roundabout and open them again after you exit and see what happens, a bit like lotto.

[blackf6]

Originally Posted by Nic85

You cannot change lanes on a roundabout.

In some cases on a multi-lane roundabout, it may be necessary to change lanes before exiting. In this situation, it is the responsibility of the driver changing lanes to give way to vehicles in the lane the driver is moving to.

Part 9 and Section 148 of the Queensland Road Rules apply.

[my_gxl]

Originally Posted by cobramania

Indicating is really only a courtesy gesture,

Cars are cheaper in qld, as the indicators are not fitted, since no one up here actually uses them!!!

[gtxb67]

if everyone approached a roundabout in a lawful way - ie. just like any intersection, with caution and prepared to stop if necessary, then giving way to the right is all that is needed
the people on your left are already on the roundabout (or giving way to the right) and unless you are driving too fast for the conditions and/or do not care, you will not hit them
the first in, first served theory is only there because morons would drive straight through a roundabout without looking and then claim the car they hit should have given way

if i go through a roundabout and do not notice some moron just flying through and i get hit, then i must take responsibility too - no matter what the insurance company or law says. it is all common sense and yet, on the road, it becomes too hard for some reason

[new2ford]

I found this on a Danish website, covers it all very well. No "turnng left/right/going straight ahead" confusing stuff. and irt the couple of posts above, it is essential to signal when leaving a roundabout and when changing lanes within a roundabout.

Get prepared early. Slow down as you approach the intersection. You're typically not required to stop. Have a look at the signs to determine where you want to go. In mutilane roundabouts you may be required to pick your lane prior to arriving at the roundabout.

As you arrive at the roundabout wait for a gap where you can safely merge with the moving traffic into the roundabout. If an opening does not automatically present itself you will be required to stop, and then wait for a gap.

Remember you must yield to all vehicles, and cyclists that are already in the circle. They have the right-of-way, as do you when you are actually in the roundabout.

Once in the roundabout follow the flow of traffic until you are approaching your exit.

Use your signals! When you are approaching your exit it is important to signal your intent to leave the roundabout.

Exit the roundabout.

Don't panic if you miss your exit out of the roundabout. You can always continue around the roundabout and exit the next time you come around.

In multilane roundabouts the inside lane is used as a 'go around lane'. You drive in it until you get close to your exit, and then you signal towards the exit. Then you merge to the outside lane. Be sure to check your blind spots.

[Nikked]

Notice how a roundabout sign looks just like a give way sign?


I dont think alot of people do...

[Yellow_Festiva]

Originally Posted by UberKnee

Give way to the right. Im pretty sure thats the basic rule of roundabouts, the problem is alot of people were never taught what to do at roundabouts as they've only been introduced in the last few decades. Then you get alot of people who just have the "I'm first mentality".

And yet we wonder how so many people can get it soooo wrong.... right?

[Franco Cozzo]

Originally Posted by Silver Ghia

Here in roundabout city, Sunbury Vic, we have lots of double laned roundabouts one after the other. The arrows marked show a right turn can be made from both lanes, the next roundabout you can do left turns from both lanes, then the next right turn only in the right lane.

No wonder people get confused and treat these as single laned roundabouts, and so many accidents when cars look like they are exiting, but are going around the roundabout in the left lane. As someone suggested, just look at the front wheels to see which way they are going to go. Forget the indicators as a clue.

Drivers have no idea what to do at roundabouts, especially double laned ones. The ambiguity in the rules help that a lot, lack of policing, plus the learners dont get taught the correct way either. What hope has anyone got? Except for the panel beaters.

The one at BP is a joke, foot to the floor, eyes closed and hope for the best, railway crossing around the corner, pedestrian crossing right near the roundabout and it links the main parts of the town.

Or the one near noodlebox with the pedestrian crossings on all 4 sides of it.

Sunbury is VicRoads testing ground for their ****** ideas.

[OzJavelin]

Originally Posted by new2ford

I found this on a Danish website, covers it all very well. No "turnng left/right/going straight ahead" confusing stuff. and irt the couple of posts above, it is essential to signal when leaving a roundabout and when changing lanes within a roundabout.

Do that here in regional Vic in front of the police and you'd almost be guaranteed of getting nabbed for hoon driving ..

[KIWI-1]

Slightly off topic but another to be weary of his U-turns.
In Vic U-turns are permitted at an intersection with traffic lights unless there is a 'No U-turn' sign.
In NSW you can't do a U-turn at an intersection with traffic lights unless there is a 'U-turn permitted' sign.

[new2ford]

Originally Posted by OzJavelin

Do that here in regional Vic in front of the police and you'd almost be guaranteed of getting nabbed for hoon driving ..

Then you can see them in court and they'll lose (provided you're not doing 160 round the roundabout of course ).

[FGII-XR6]

the give way to the right rule still applies to normal intersections just not roundabouts

Originally Posted by Yellow_Festiva

No give way to the right rule any more. It is 'Give way to cars already in the round about'.

If you are approaching a round about and to the right there is also an approaching car that is 1 or 2 car lengths further back than you it will be you who has right or way as you will be in the round about first.

Of course, if that car is doing a high speed and has no intention of stopping you're best to let them through first.

[2011G6E]

The rules are very easy.

1: Give way to traffic already on the roundabout.

2: Indicate when leaving the roundabout, or if you are turning right around it.

3: Give way to the right or left to any vehicle closing on the roundabout at Warp 9 who is obviously not going to stop, even if you would be the first one on the roundabout and normally be given right of way.

4: Give way to cyclists who will do anything up to and including breaking most of the laws of physics when they go through the roundabout.

5: Slow down when you see a vehicle approaching from your right with his left indicator on...do not assume he is turning left...many people (sometimes on advice from police as I heard on radio talkback on the ABC) think if you are going straight through the roundabout you should leave your left indicator on all the way through.

6: Give way to trucks. Shouldn't need further explanation.

7: Make it easy on yourself...treat the entrance to a roundabout as a stop sign if there's any vehicles within fifty meters of it and wait to see what they're going to do while you curl up in a fetal ball and whimper softly...


See? Easy...

[noflac52]

Originally Posted by gtxb67

if everyone approached a roundabout in a lawful way - ie. just like any intersection, with caution and prepared to stop if necessary, then giving way to the right is all that is needed
the people on your left are already on the roundabout (or giving way to the right) and unless you are driving too fast for the conditions and/or do not care, you will not hit them
the first in, first served theory is only there because morons would drive straight through a roundabout without looking and then claim the car they hit should have given way

if i go through a roundabout and do not notice some moron just flying through and i get hit, then i must take responsibility too - no matter what the insurance company or law says. it is all common sense and yet, on the road, it becomes too hard for some reason

The first in first served is not a theory it is written in law although not in the fashion that you state.

If drivers approached a roundabout with the view to giving way to any vehicle that was closer to the roundabout from any direction ( which is the intention of the roundabout law) there would be very few problems! The problems arise when drivers speed up or close the gap to the car in front of them to prevent vehicles entering from another direction creating situations where vehicles entering from the left can't get into the roundabout at all creating frustration. Driver attitude and a lack of understanding of the regulations that are in place at the moment are major contributors to roundabout accidents.

It doesn't matter what we would like to see in the future we should all drive to the current regulations and see how they work first!!!

I think some of the posters on this thread should consult their motor traffic regulations as the range of opinions here is all over the place.

[Bunyip04]

HOW has this thread gone for this long...
If ppl don't know how to use a roundabout, you shouldn't
be driving...

[gtxb67]

Originally Posted by noflac52

The first in first served is not a theory it is written in law although not in the fashion that you state

yes, i believe it is a law - i haven't read the book for many years though
i used the word theory because, i believe it is a relatively new rule (wasn't around when i started driving), and if everyone gave way to those already on the roundabout, the said roundabout would not work in peak times, because everyone would wait for the roundabout to be empty before entering and only one car would be on it at any one time

except for the indicate when exiting rule, i think people know what the rules are. they just don't know when it is safe. in theory the rule works, in practice it does not. except for exceptional circumstances, you cannot hit anyone on your left of the roundabout. and if people are on your right, but not close enough to be a danger, then you should enter. most people have no idea just how close a car needs to be before it is a danger and therefore wait much too long and the roundabout does not flow like first intended


there is only one thing any road user needs to know
if it is safe - go
if it is unsafe - do not go

unfortunately the road is full of people that driver either too fast or too slow which when applied to a roundabout makes it a much more dangerous place than it needs to be

Originally Posted by Bunyip04

HOW has this thread gone for this long...
If ppl don't know how to use a roundabout, you shouldn't
be driving...

agree - it would cut traffic problems
pollution
take many holdens off the road, ovlovs too

but the negative is the road tax cameras would then not rake in enough money, so i would start taking the brunt of their tax scheme

[Nikked]

I say all roundabouts be replaced with thunderdomes.

2 men enter, one man leaves....

[aZ`]

All these new fan dangled laws are great at placing blame for insurance purposes however:

If i give way to the right, I won't get hit.
If i watch where I'm going, I won't hit anyone else.

[gtxb67]

Originally Posted by aZ`

All these new fan dangled laws are great at placing blame for insurance purposes however:

If i give way to the right, I won't get hit.
If i watch where I'm going, I won't hit anyone else.

it is almost too easy, isn't it

[Bunyip04]

Originally Posted by aZ`

All these new fan dangled laws are great at placing blame for insurance purposes however:

If i give way to the right, I won't get hit.
If i watch where I'm going, I won't hit anyone else.

Nuff said!!