Around the twist
Roundabouts can provoke confusion, dread and even fear, particularly the maze-like Britannia or oddly shaped Blackwood intersection. There’s no doubt roundabouts can be puzzling but remembering a few simple rules will help you navigate them with ease.
Words: Jeremy Rochow
1. Indicate when entering
In some cases, motorists need to indicate when entering the roundabout to let other road users know their intentions.
For instance, if the driver is planning to leave the roundabout less than halfway around it, like the yellow car, they must give sufficient warning and indicate left. If a motorist is leaving the roundabout more than halfway around the intersection, they’ll need to indicate right when entering then signal left when leaving the intersection.
If you’re going straight through the roundabout like the green motorcycle, there’s no need to indicate when approaching the intersection – only when exiting.
2. Enter from the correct lane
One of the most common mistakes motorists make on a multi-lane roundabout is entering from the incorrect lane.
As a general rule, you should always enter a roundabout in the left lane (red car) when you want to take the first exit on the left (and it’s less than halfway around the roundabout).
If you’re travelling more than halfway around the roundabout like the purple car, enter from the right lane and indicate left when approaching the exit.
Turning around at a roundabout, like the purple car, and going back in the direction you came from? Start in the right lane and remember to indicate left when you’re exiting.
3. Give way to vehicles on the roundabout
You’ve probably heard about giving way to your right when driving, but it’s not quite the case when negotiating a roundabout. Instead, the law says you must give way to any vehicle, including bicycles already in the roundabout.
The pink car entering the roundabout is yet to enter the intersection so must give way to the cyclist.
This doesn’t mean you race to get to the line first. Giving way means drivers must slow down on approach and if necessary, stop to avoid a collision.
4. Let long vehicles through
You might have noticed the truck in the left lane indicating to turn right. That’s because it’s a tough ask for a long vehicle to make a turn in a single lane. So, these vehicles – if they have a ‘do not overtake turning vehicle’ sign displayed – can use two lanes to make a turn if necessary and safe to do so.
If you’re in the grey car to the right of the truck, you should wait until the large vehicle has driven around the roundabout.
Don’t pull up alongside the truck, as it may cross into the right lane when turning at the roundabout. It’s against the law and you may collide with the truck.
5. Indicate left when leaving
One in five South Australian motorists don’t know they need to indicate when leaving a roundabout, a recent sa move quiz has revealed.
Indicating at roundabouts is a must to alert other road users of your intentions.
Failing to indicate can lead to confusion as other drivers entering the roundabout may misjudge which exit you’re taking and may wait longer than they need to.
The Australian Road Rules state that drivers must indicate left before exiting a roundabout unless it’s unrealistic. For example, on a very small, single-lane roundabout.
In the illustrated example, the blue car must indicate left as it exits the roundabout. Failing to indicate when leaving the roundabout could cost the driver $380, a $102 Victims of Crime Levy, and two demerit points.
Remember when exiting the roundabout to keep an eye out for cyclists and pedestrians.
IMAGES: Getty
6. Share with pedestrians and cyclists
Pedestrians and cyclists crossing at a roundabout should give way to any vehicle entering or exiting the roundabout. Some pedestrians or cyclists might not, so it’s important for drivers exiting the roundabout to watch out for people crossing the road.
On some occasions, like the illustrated example, there’s a zebra crossing near a roundabout. In this case, the driver will need to give way to any pedestrian or cyclist crossing.
Do you have a roundabout question?
Speak to RAA’s road safety experts on 8202 4517 or email roadsafety@raa.com.au
