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