Hate roundabouts?…here’s some tips
Avoid Wales! But we’ll get to that shortly. Learner drivers just seem to hate roundabouts but with some knowledge from the Highway Code and help from your instructor along with plenty of practice we will help you to understand roundabouts better.
TIPS ON ROUNDABOUTS
Firstly look out for any signs and then approach the roundabout carefully and make use of the MSM routine (mirror, signal, manoeuvre). Ensure that you give yourself time to get into position early, look out for any road markings so you can be assured of getting into the correct lane in plenty of time. Do not change lanes last minute, if necessary take a different route – it doesn’t matter if you go the wrong way even on your driving test. Take quick glances early to your right as well as ahead, giving way to your right.
Timing at roundabouts takes practice and it is important that you wait for a safe gap, then you can join the flow of traffic and continue in the correct lane until reaching your exit. Ensure that you signal before you leave the roundabout. You would usually signal as you pass the exit just before the one you need. (You do not usually need to signal to leave a mini roundabout).
Check your left mirror before coming off the roundabout so you can keep a look out for vulnerable road users including cyclists, motorcyclists and horse riders. Pedestrian crossings can also be found near the entrances or exits of a roundabout.
Read the Highway Code for more help and advice https://www.highwaycodeuk.co.uk/roundabouts.html
We have patient instructors that can help you master any roundabout fears and help you to build up your confidence.
Why do we have roundabouts?
When two, or more, busy roads intersect – something has to give.
Roundabouts are designed to keep traffic moving, ease congestion and speed up journey times.
They’re also safer than traditional junctions and crossroads – where drivers can be tempted to run red lights.
Why avoid Wales?
Cwmbran to be exact. Apparently this town has the world’s highest concentration of roundabouts.
A Welsh man, Brian Dougal said he discovered that Milton Keynes held the record for highest number of roundabouts per square kilometer, with an average 1.46 of the circular intersections per every 1 kilometer (0.62 miles).
Dougal suspected that Cwmbran might beat that record so he did some analysis and found it actually has an average 2.75 roundabouts per square kilometer, beating the previous record by some distance. He contacted Guinness World Records to tell them.
“Driving around in circles in our town can be a headache. But at least we can enjoy getting dizzy knowing that there is nowhere else in the world like Cwmbran,” Dougal said.