Comments on: Roundabout rules

By: Harry

Harry — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 09:01:07 +0000

Hi, Well take it from me , the RTA is not interested in making our roads safer . I have had e mail chats with the RTA over several issues, including one very stupidly placed roundabout with arrows on the road pointing to a vacant block and straight ahead arrows actually taking you to the left. I have also pointed out what numerous others have to the RTA about cars entering way too fast and posing a very real danger. I have seen this exact situation happen where a car was overturned in the middle of a roundabout, Does the RTA care ?? NO . On one dual lane roundabout a friend was fined $200 for making a right hand turn from the outside lane . Bit rough ? yes. Now this roundabout never had an exit to the left before but soon as they opened an exit to the left the police were waiting with baited breath to catch someone out. No warnings just a hefty fine. Oh yes there was a sign , a very small one partly obscured by a tree.Where are the police when you really need them ? Hiding waiting to raise revenue.When the RTA and police behave like decent humans then we might just respect them again. I have offered to debate and discuss issues with the RTA and also offered to take them for a drive to point out some of there bad rules but i might as well talk to a brick wall. As for speed humps, A total waste of fuel, brake wear and suspension wear and extra pollution . And they are discriminating against sensible drivers.And don’t even get me started on speed cameras !

By: Jim Christie

Jim Christie — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 03:17:01 +0000

Roundabouts are the most scary situation of road travel. Most drivers use one rule – barge through without slowing down no matter what.

Roundabout rules are not enforced, but if they were there would be a field day. Just needs a plain clothes cop and a camera.

By: Ben

Ben — Wed, 18 Aug 2010 03:45:32 +0000

Two lane roundabouts. Unless otherwise signposted, the vehicle in the left lane may not pass two exits ie they must take either the first or second exit. The vehicle in the right lane must not take the first exit. Pretty simple.

Small roundabouts. Difficult and frustrating sometimes, but as with all situations on the road common sense must come first and foremost, especially with blinker on blinker off, if its not practical to do, it don’t (Small roundabouts).

Traffic lights at roundabouts. Whilst traveling in the UK, I found that a lot of roundabouts have traffic lights before them (even within them on really large ones), which is really effective during peak periods in allowing other vehicles to enter the roundabout when there is a constant stream of traffic in one direction, this being said they are only effective in peak times and make the roundabout redundant at other times.

The issue of what happens if you arrive at the same time as another vehicle is simple (on medium to large roundabouts), you arrive together, you enter together, unless one of you is going too fast you wont crash!

When are the police going to focus on the “Keep left unless overtaking” rule. It is probably one of the simplest rules we have, if you are travelling on a road with a speed limit of 80kph or higher you must travel in the left lane unless overtaking or preparing to turn right. It is dangerous, frustrating and illegal.

By: John

John — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 00:27:12 +0000

The big problem as I see it is with dual or multi-lane roundabouts. There need to be clearer rules in place for these. What if someone in a right lane wants to turn off on to the street on right hand side? This car enters on right lane, goes around the roundabout clockwise, then intends to exit on to right street. But in actual fact this car is turning left off the roundabout to exit. In so doing, this car must cross over the left lane (therefore potentially crossing in front of any traffic that is going straight through!). If you are in this left lane going straight through and the turning car hits you, well who is really in the wrong? Should the car in left lane have given way to car on right? Or should car in right lane have waited for all left lane traffic to clear before exiting (thereby holding up traffic and creating a dangerous situation)? Or should car in right lane have kept going around the roundabout until there was a gap in left lane and that driver could then enter the left lane, only then exiting safely? But in so doing, that driver may not have been in the correct lane, considering that some lanes have painted arrows!!

By: Eddie Sijnstra

Eddie Sijnstra — Wed, 21 Jul 2010 01:01:34 +0000

It is my experience that 80% of drivers do not know the rules regarding roundabouts. Even previous blogs make this abundantly clear if you scan them carefully.
Free TV advertising spots will be required to educate all drivers.
NRMA should push the government to enact legislation for this.
Education of “Experienced” drivers is what is needed badly.

By: Bob

Bob — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 15:41:14 +0000

No, traffic already in the roundabout has right of way. But everyone gives way to the right, believing that to be the law. Or am I mistaken?

By: Mary

Mary — Wed, 28 Apr 2010 18:23:39 +0000

car coming from a round about indicated to take the turn off the round about but continued to go on the round about and ploughed into the right hand side of my car, i know traffic to the right have right of way but he was indicating to the left turn off the round about and then changed his mind… can any one give me advice on this??

By: John

John — Thu, 11 Mar 2010 04:31:23 +0000

Stop signs at roundabouts would defeat their purpose. Roundabouts should keep traffic moving slowly. People who stop at a roundabout because there is a car on their right that has not yet entered the roundabout are a menace.

By: tim

tim — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 08:11:56 +0000

I have a scenario for your opinion. This almost happened to me, but didn’t. I’d be interested to know what an insurance companys take would be on this scenario.

4 way roundabout with one lane. exits/entry at 12, 3 6 and 9 oclock.

If carA enters from 6 oclock without indicating
carB is approaching from 12o’clock after carA is already in roundabout.
Who is at fault if carB collects carA’s side, if carB is actually exiting from the 3oclock, exit but didn’t indicate.

Is CarB still at fault because they didn’t stop and hit carA on its side. or is carA to blame because it didn’t indicate and CarB should therefore think it can drive straight through without stopping.

By: jack

jack — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 03:53:29 +0000

By the way I just want to add: There are lots of people who are obsessed about being “right”. Of course everyone wants to be “right”. But you won’t always be right. You will make mistakes at time, EVERYBODY will. You’re not the god you think you are. I am not, you are not.

The attitude “I am a better driver than you” a dangerous, and leads to road rage. When someone makes a mistake, let it go. Get over it. You will make one too.

We all want to survive on the road. Just drive the best we can, and keep up to date with the road rules maybe once every few months. Also, now and then, drive to some unusual place to practice your driving. Remember – we never stop learning how to drive, even if we’ve been driving for 40 years. It’s like learning anything – we are always students. And as students, we are always making mistakes. Get over it.