Roundabouts - dealing with them!

For all you learner/novice drivers out there...just thought I'd share my thoughts on how to deal with roundabouts...

Approaching roundabouts – Use the M.S.P.S.L. and L.A.D.A. routines

Mirrors

Start your routine early. Check all three mirrors before you do anything else (centre, left, then right), to make sure it is safe to do what you are planning to do…

Signal …if necessary.

Left - signal left on approach if you are taking the first exit.

Right (past 12 o’clock) - signal right on approach if you’re going right at the roundabout.

Ahead - do not signal on approach if you’re going ahead at the roundabout.

Position

Taking position on approach to the roundabout is much like it is for other junctions. Unless road signs direct you otherwise:

If you are going left, take position on the left.

If you are going right, take position on the right.

If you are going ahead, keep left.

Speed

Start bringing your speed down nice and early. If you're doing 70mph, you can start decelerating when you reach the red and white "Reduce Speed" signs. By the time you get to the 300 yard marker a speed of 40 mph is more than enough. You need to see what’s coming from the right on the roundabout and you also need to keep an eye on where you’re going. By reducing your speed, this will give you the time to do what you need to do…

Look

When approaching a roundabout, your observations should begin as early as possible. You need to use several quick glances to the right. This will enable you to build up a complete picture of what’s happening on the right while still watching where you’re going. Look to stop, but be prepared to go...

Gears

LADA! - Look, Assess, Decide, Act.

Try to resist the temptation to change gear early. You’ll be taking pot luck and you’ll probably find you need to change gear again before joining the roundabout. If you need to change gear, it will usually be the last thing you do before joining the roundabout. It is better to use the LADA routine, so that you can avoid unnecessary gear changes, and can move smoothly onto the roundabout, without interrupting the traffic already on it…or prepare to stop…

 On the roundabout

Don’t rush. Pay attention to your position. Be aware of what's going on all around you...check your blind spot. And be prepared to take evasive action if other road users force you to…you may need to slow down, speed up, or change lanes…but you can ONLY do this once you have checked it is safe to do so…

You may change gear on the roundabout if it’s appropriate and you have a suitable opportunity. However, a sensible speed and good position are higher priorities than gear changing. Checking mirrors and signalling to exit also have a higher priority than gears.

Exiting the roundabout

If you’re going left into the 1st exit of the roundabout, you should already be signalling left on approach. Make sure this signal remains on until you have exited the roundabout.

If you’re going into any other exit (2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th etc.), you will need to give a separate left signal before leaving the roundabout. The correct timing for this signal is just as you are passing the previous exit. For example, if you’re taking the 2nd exit, you should signal left as you’re passing the 1st exit. As with any left signal, you should check your interior and left mirrors before giving the signal. Plan ahead and allow yourself time to check your mirrors first, and to react to what you see in them. Consider the need for a left blind spot check too.

As you exit the roundabout, aim to resume your normal road position in the new road. Therefore, you should be on the left in the new road unless you have a good reason for being elsewhere. For example, exiting onto a dual carriageway

Once you’ve exited the roundabout, make sure your left signal has cancelled. If it doesn’t cancel automatically, cancel it yourself, but ONLY once you have finished steering! Be especially careful if you’re going to move towards the right after exiting a roundabout (e.g. to pass a stationary vehicle): make sure your left signal is off before you move right.

Helen Adams ADI – www.purple-driving.co.uk