The Magic of Roundabouts

Link to Drive Hart https://linktr.ee/drivehart

This podcast provides an overview of Roundabouts - their purpose and 5 core aspects which often cause issues in negotiating them.   

The presentation starts with the purpose of roundabouts and then the 5 core aspects which we teach students, covering


1.Approach - Speed / Gear / Positioning  

2.Key Decision Making Process – LADA / Assessing Gaps

3.Lane Selection / Lane Discipline

4.Signals / Timing - On/Off 

5.Strong Observations / Awareness & Discipline 

Extract from our presentation on roundabouts:


Always Discuss the main Purpose of Roundabouts with your Learner - ask what they know!

•Meeting of two or more roads – to keep traffic moving

•Simple and Complex / Multi-lane

•Traffic light controlled and non controlled

•Don’t confuse with mini-roundabouts (separate session)

•Clockwise direction around island

•Give way to right

•Speed and Approach important 

•Assessment of Safe Gaps to Join 

•Method Important (Signals / Lane Selection / Discipline) 

1.  THE APPROACH – MSPSL 

•Mirror, Signal, Position, Speed/Gear – Look and prepare as you approach the roundabout.  

•Slow Down Early – Buy Yourself Time 

•Low Gear (usually 1st or 2nd – depending on situation)

•Look for Signs / Markings – well in advance

•Remember look for exceptions to normal positioning (often by advance signs and markings, examples in Salisbury ring road)

•Position for lane selection – plan and anticipate

•Observations – look well ahead to see what's happening

2.KEY DECISION MAKING PROCESS – LADA! 

●Look / Assess / Decide / Act – The Process

•Move Your Eyes:  Right and Ahead

•Start Assessing Early

•Assess Traffic Speed and Volume from the right 

•Look for Safe Gap (come in slow = better decision) 

•If No Safe Gap,  You Need To Stop!

•Don’t Assume The Driver In Front Will Go! 

•Don’t Follow Other Drivers / Make your own decision!   

3.  LANE SELECTION / DISCIPLINE  

•Look / Assess / Decide / Act  

•Look at signs on approach to guide you

•Observations Critical 

•General

•A:  Turning Left (first exit) – left lane on approach

•B:  Ahead (2nd exit) – left lane (unless directed otherwise)

•C:  Turning Right (3rd exit) – right lane on approach  - Inside / Outside principle 




4.  SIGNALS AND TIMING  

•Signals / Signal Timing = Key To Safety

•Informs what you are doing, so all others know/see

•Visibly shows your intention (to go ahead / or turn)

•Timing is really important, can tells others to hold back

•Poor signals cause confusion and often accidents

In General 

•Turning Left (first exit) •Left signal on Approach

•Ahead (second exit)  •No Signal on Approach, •Left Signal After Passing First Exit 

•Turing Right (third exit)•Right signal on approach •Left signal after passing second exit




5.  STRONG OBSERVATIONS / AWARENESS  CRITICAL   

•Emphasis – Strong Observations / Awareness

•Look well ahead (know what's going on)

•Look and be aware of danger areas

•Expect and be ready for other drivers to do unexpected

•Watch body language of other cars

•Slow down – and observe – keep out of danger

•Beware Long Vehicles (If on inside of them on bend)

•If made a wrong decision on lanes – stay with it.  •No late lane changes 

•Before peeling away, always make sure left wing is safe