My personal opinion, if you are going so fast at a roundabout that you feel the need to go straight, then you are probably going too fast. How much effort does it take to ease off the power and turn the steering wheel to follow the lane correctly?

More than straight-lining an empty roundabout at a higher speed does, using less fuel, brakes and tyres as you do so.

The key point is that you can only straight-line when doing so will not bring you into conflict with other road users.

Exactly!

And I thought the DSA were meant to promote "eco-friendly" driving...

Is it just me or wouldn’t you start in the Inside lane and then cross to the outside lane on the roundabout before exiting on the inside lane again.

It might be a female mental visualisation thingy, but I can only make the OPs original description work in my head, unless he is going the wrong way round the roundabout. :confused::(

Anyone with a ‘geezer brain’ put me straight?

I should add I love to straight line roindabouts in the wet, especially when you can't quite straight line it (if that makes sense?).

Interesting read, I sometimes do, and sometimes dont. Depends on my mood I guess.

I generally as it happens straightline when im just tooting along, saving fuel and alike.

I was told by my driving instructor that the road is there to be used, so as above if no one else is using it, then use it.

I generall keep to my lane if im going a tad quicker, just incase the police do take a disliking to me, and pull me. I can turn around and say "I dont see the problem officer, I was in the correct lane at all times, and indicated off the roundabout"

Ive infact had to do this on a small round about near to where I live, due to the officer saying I was flying around, but confirmed I stayed in my lane, and indicated off? I said ok, so I was doing the speed limit, and did all that, so? His only reply was "Well what if it was wet or icy" to which I simple yet effective reply of "Well it isnt, and I drive to road conditions."

He just sorta agreed and said well becareful...

Thanks Mr Officer...

Edited 9 November, 200915 yr by T. Spark

In an extreme case, using a "conventional" 3-6-9-12 roundabout, on a dual carriageway entering at 6 and leaving at 12, I'd start in the outside lane of the entry, clip an apex as I go left and enter, move to the centre of the roundabout and take another apex, straighten up and take a 3rd apex as I leave, and run wide leaving the roundabout in the outside lane.

If the sight-line isn't good enough to allow this, I'd modify by approaching in the LH lane, straighen on an earl apex on entry to allow me to cut across and take my centre position then as above.

At no time would I be so committed that I'd be unable to change course and/or speed to handle other traffic.

Ah I think I am visualising the smaller roundabouts where the approach is fairly straight on.

In an extreme case, using a "conventional" 3-6-9-12 roundabout, on a dual carriageway entering at 6 and leaving at 12, I'd start in the outside lane of the entry, clip an apex as I go left and enter, move to the centre of the roundabout and take another apex, straighten up and take a 3rd apex as I leave, and run wide leaving the roundabout in the outside lane.

If the sight-line isn't good enough to allow this, I'd modify by approaching in the LH lane, straighen on an earl apex on entry to allow me to cut across and take my centre position then as above.

At no time would I be so committed that I'd be unable to change course and/or speed to handle other traffic.

In other words, you take the racing line. So do I.

The line Ken mentions was drawn for me on the back of an envelope by a quite well known former Police driving instructor, as an example of the things taught to his pupils. You can't always rely on an everyday traffic officer being content to let members of the public follow that example, unfortunately.

I got pulled a couple of months ago for going too quickly over a roundabout in town. Very late at night, perfect visibility. Stayed in my lane too, just used the full extent of it (wide, two lane roundabout).

Pulled me over and checked I was insured etc. Just said he saw me overtake him coming up to the roundabout and noted how much speed I carried over it and said he thought I was driving suspiciously or something. I hadn't committed an offence so he let me be on my way.

Hmmm, you probably just caught his attention by going round it in a committed/spirited fashion

He was probably just miffed that you overtook him :P - an unmarked I take it?

Steve

I think the Highways depts. should put a cone on the apex of every roundabout so we can find the clipping point more accurately.

That takes away part of the fun though

Steve

That takes away part of the fun though

Steve

Nip round a couple of times then & slingshot the exit

JOKE

Nip round a couple of times then & slingshot the exit

JOKE

ISTR that going more than once round a roundabout is actually illegal. it can be fun though, esp if you're trying to sort out which end goes first at the limit!

ISTR that going more than once round a roundabout is actually illegal. it can be fun though, esp if you're trying to sort out which end goes first at the limit!

I thought anthing over 3 laps was illegal but I could be wrong

I'm not sure there's anything in the RTA about multiple lap(s) of a roundabout.

If you want to avoid being pulled, I would suggest following the rules of Roadcraft and Police driver instruction.

Approach the roundabout "planning to stop, looking to go". This means that you are ready to stop at the give way line, if something unexpected happens, but are ready to go if the opportunity arises, in the right place on the road, at the right speed and in the right gear,at all times*.

Use observation all round on the approach, navigating the roundabout, and the exit. This means looking past the roundabout in front of you, into all exits as you approach and negotiate them, and using any cross views that may help you to merge with the flow of traffic.

Remember to check all mirrors - RVM on approach, OSM on entering the roundabout, RVM again, glance into exits as you pass them, NSM, RVM, OSM on exit. GO!

If a traffic officer stops you after you've carried out all the above, explain the procedure you followed, and that you were happy that your checks revealed no risks. If they see that you are following the same procedures as they would, they will assess your driving in a different light, hopefully.

Remember the road is shared with all the other road users out there. If we can make safe, unobtrusive progress, it can be as rapid as you like, providing it's safe and doesn't upset or antagonise others.

*EFA

This means that you are ready to stop at the give way line, if something unexpected happens, but are ready to go if the opportunity arises, in the right gear, in the right place on the road, and at the right speed at all times.

But not necessarily in that order

Chris

If we can make safe, unobtrusive progress, it can be as rapid as you like, providing it's safe and doesn't upset or antagonise others.

Some of the wisest words ive heard for while

J

Thanks for this thread and comments made . It has made my 'feel' for roundabouts clearer and easier to put to context.

One question/suggestion/observation though.. sometimes on some roundabouts hitting the apex later is better for exit.. (apex of either the left hand corner or actual roundabout..) Im not sure how to explain but maybe others can help out.

The only example I can think of is medium size roundabout.. two lane entry one lane exit.. if you hit apex later on the left hand bend you straighten sooner on exit... (does that make sense?) :wonder:

The only example I can think of is medium size roundabout.. two lane entry one lane exit.. if you hit apex later on the left hand bend you straighten sooner on exit... (does that make sense?) :wonder:

Lots of factors to consider (safety, stability and view) and whether there's a benefit to be had by doing so, so a late apex might well be appropriate. Saying that, quite a few dual carriageway into single carriageway (at least around here) roundabouts have fairly wide exits so plenty of space to use while being on the power

Chris

Lots of factors to consider (safety, stability and view) and whether there's a benefit to be had by doing so, so a late apex might well be appropriate. Saying that, quite a few dual carriageway into single carriageway (at least around here) roundabouts have fairly wide exits so plenty of space to use while being on the power

Chris

Yep, the follow though to my theory is better visual and safety. If hitting the apex later on the roundabout one should have more vision towards the exit earlier as opposed to 'normal straight-lining'.

I know that, Pictrure = 1000 words.. :p but drawing roundabouts im thinking of is a bit of a mission.

Here's an interesting local roundabout for looking at lines through, especially contrasting approaching from east to west and from west to east. I'm not sure StreetView does the odd camber going west to east much justice either.

Chris

Edited 2 June, 201015 yr by ScoobyChris

i like to do this in the landy as its so much easier and u dont get so much body roll and i must admit it does save fuel

the other one i like is when 106/saxo geezer boi come flying up ur ar** rear end over takes u just b4 the roundabout then does it little t-wat so i improvised a solution when driving at night approach the roundabout straddling both lanes and then do it safety aspect sorted

plenty of times having people in the left lane turning right, people in the right lane turning left and idiots that cannot follow the course of the road. Yeap safely say i have had the pleasures many a time.

So did I till I was T- boned.....

I try and avoid driving side by side vehicles on roundabouts to try and avoid the above.