Bit confused about roundabout exits

CreditCardChris

Sometimes when I'm driving I come across "odd shaped" roundabouts meaning the exits are not on the usual 9, 12, 3 and 6 oclock positions. For example https://i.gyazo.com/321bd17c7cd0198f2ee844a3fe0358a1.png

I see a lot of roundabouts with small lines and i'm not sure if they're exits or not, so if my sat nav said second exit, would that usually always be the second big line or just the second exit in general?

Also on the second roundabout I'm confused whether to use the right lane for the second exit (because it's past 12 oclock) so I should use the right lane? Even though it's only the second exit?

Someone in a previous thread told me "if it's past the 12 oclock position, use the right hand lane" but I just wanted to confirm if that's actually true or not?

Car_54

Yes, the small lines are exits. If they are not, they should be shown with "no entry" roundels.
On the 2nd roundabout, yes, you should use the RH lane "unless signs or markings indicate otherwise". That is exactly what the Highway Code (Rule 186) tells you, and what you should have learned before your test. You would do well to read the whole section on roundabouts again.

AdrianC

Use the satnav to provide hints, don't treat it as gospel. Look at the signage, and know where you're going.

Which lane you use is dictated as much by signage and road markings as anything else, because it depends on the relative sizes of the exits. Just basically use your eyes and your brain, and don't try to make everything fit into rigid rules.

PasturesNew

While we could tell you the rules etc, you really need to take each roundabout on its own merits and signage to guess correctly, which comes in time.

If you're in a strange area, one default is to get into the right hand lane, indicating right, then look at all the options and lanes as you drive round, taking the correct one as you go round again

Sea_Shell

Best not to go to Swindon or Hemel Hempstead then!!!

Google "magic roundabout" and have a look.:eek:

They are basically multiple mini-roundabouts stitched together, so you can feel you're going the "wrong way" round the central island. Especially if you want the 2 or 3 o'clock "exit"!

Kiran

I was thinking the same thing


https://thekidshouldseethis.com/post/the-magic-roundabout-in-swindon-england

AdrianC

Ah, you have to love 'merkins and their total fear of "traffic circles"...

Anyway, Hemel's far more impressive than Swindon - it used to be part of my daily commute...

Hemel:

Scrapit

Op defo needs some extra training

reeac

That HH roundabout sign is a classic. Just suppose that you come off the A41 and approach the roundabout from the South wanting to get onto the St. Albans road: that sign mentions neither of those locations, just giving purely local place names. One of my standard roundabout grumbles.

suki1964

Scrapit wrote: »

Op defo needs some extra training

No, the OP needs to chill and realise that having passed a driving test just a week ago, does not make you a competent driver and that will only come with time and experience

Arklight

CreditCardChris wrote: »

Sometimes when I'm driving I come across "odd shaped" roundabouts meaning the exits are not on the usual 9, 12, 3 and 6 oclock positions. For example https://i.gyazo.com/321bd17c7cd0198f2ee844a3fe0358a1.png

I see a lot of roundabouts with small lines and i'm not sure if they're exits or not, so if my sat nav said second exit, would that usually always be the second big line or just the second exit in general?

Also on the second roundabout I'm confused whether to use the right lane for the second exit (because it's past 12 oclock) so I should use the right lane? Even though it's only the second exit?

Someone in a previous thread told me "if it's past the 12 oclock position, use the right hand lane" but I just wanted to confirm if that's actually true or not?

It's normal to be anxious about roundabouts after you've passed but you really just have to play it by ear. They are all marked differently depending on what the road planners decided to do at the time, and half the other drivers around you will find themselves in the wrong exit lane.

The best thing you can do as a learner driver (which you are if you've just passed) is focus on getting round them safely without being taken out by a last second lane changer. When you can do that you can start worrying about getting the exit you want. You will find that will also coincide with you not really being worried about them anymore.

In answer to your question about lanes. People learning now will be taught a version of the highway code that says you must be in the right hand lane if the exit is even 1 minute past 12.

People who passed a few years ago will have been taught that they must use the left hand lane even if it goes past 12, as long as this can be construed as "ahead" (i.e not left). Older people will have been taught that you must only use the right hand lane to go ahead. Presumably the people who make the Highway Code did this to ensure that all lanes are being used at once to go everywhere, saving space.