Hello everyone I'm Chris.
In this video we're going to have a
look at roundabouts, from how to approach them
to positioning and when to go.
If you often hesitate at a roundabout
then stick around as we'll show you when
to go and what to look for.
We're first going to have a look at road positioning
and how to approach a roundabout
At this first roundabout
we will be turning left
it's the first exit.
We see the sign for it coming up.
We have to give way to the right.
We're checking our mirrors to the left.
We signal left, looks all clear,
going down to 2nd gear and
keeping in the left hand lane,
checking mirrors again and keeping the signal on.
Always signal to exit.
At the next roundabout we will turn left and it's
the 2nd exit.
You can see on this sign
that we are coming up from the bottom
and we need the 2nd exit.
We won't signal left
on approach
or other road users might think that we want
the 1st exit
but we will keep in the left hand lane.
As we're passing
the 1st exit we will check our mirrors
and we'll signal left to exit.
We're now going to have a look at different variations of
following the road ahead at a roundabout.
At the next roundabout we will follow the road ahead, it's the 2nd exit.
Just like at a crossroads, if you're following the road ahead
you'd be in the left hand lane unless road markings or signs tell you otherwise.
Again we give-way to the right
and now it's very important
to keep in the left-hand lane
and I really mean
keep left.
Now we check mirrors to the left
and signal left
It was very important to keep in the left hand lane
as we might of had someone else next
to us turning right.
At the next roundabout
we will follow the road ahead
it's the 2nd exit
Now this roundabout will have 3 lanes.
Again we will keep in the left hand lane
unless there's markings or signs telling us
any different.
The lane in the middle would be used
for overtaking if there was a big traffic
jam in the left hand lane.
Giving way to the right.
Looks quite busy, being prepared to stop.
When we join the roundabout
we need to keep in the left hand lane.
Getting up to 2nd gear now.
checking mirrors and signal to exit.
At this next roundabout
we will follow the road ahead.
This ones a bit different
as it will go into 3 lanes and the sign
on the left and the road markings
will tell us that
we will need the middle lane as
the left-hand lane is for turning
left only.
Now I've got this white van blocking my view
so I'm going to creep forward slowly
and try and get a better view.
Now he's gone and I've got a good view,
it's clear
and I'm keeping to the left now.
I'm watching these vehicles on the left
in case they pull out, checking my mirrors, signal left to exit.
Staying in the left hand lane.
We're now going to have a look
at turning right at a roundabout.
At this next roundabout I am turning right
4th exit.
Because it's to the right
half of the roundabout, I've had to
change into the right-hand lane
I've checked my mirrors and signalling right.
I can see my opportunity
keeping in the right-hand lane.
I'm up to 2nd gear now.
Still got my signal on to the right.
I'm just counting the exits as I go round.
This will be the 2nd exit
As I'm passing the 3rd,
I'm checking my mirrors to the left, signal left
and I'm moving over to exit.
Taking the 2nd exit at a roundabout
doesn't always mean that
you'll be following the road ahead.
This next roundabout
is a good example
where the 2nd exit
is actually to the right.
As you can see by the sign here.
We'll be going towards Shirley.
Because the exit is
slightly to the right of the roundabout
we will check our mirrors to the right
signal right and keep in
the right-hand lane.
As soon as we're passing the 1st exit
check mirrors, signal and exit.
At this next roundabout
We need to turn right
2nd exit.
Our exit that we need is slightly to the
right of the roundabout
and that's why we need the
right-hand lane and signal right.
We need to be careful not to stop on the crossing.
Not only do we not stop on it
but we need to make sure it's clear
before going.
We don't want to get distracted
just by the roundabout.
The crossing looks clear and so does
the roundabout.
We're keeping in the right-hand
lane and as soon as we're passing the 1st exit,
check our mirrors to the left, signal left and then exit.
Looking out for the next zebra crossing.
You can also use roundabouts as a way of turning
around.
At the next roundabout we will turn right and it's the
4th exit.
So we've changed lanes
we need to keep in the furthest right
hand lane.
Still keeping in the right-hand lane.
As soon as we're passing the 3rd exit,
check mirrors to the left, signal and then
exit.
This next roundabout is a little more complicated
as it's partly controlled by traffic lights.
There's also multiple lanes
We have to give-way to the right here as usual.
Now we're following the road markings and
signs to the A14 east.
We could see it written in the road there.
This part is now controlled by traffic lights.
It's green so we've got priority.
Keeping in lane towards the A14 east.
Now we're taking the next exit towards the A14 east.
We go from one extreme to another as we now
have a look at mini-roundabouts.
You could say that mini-roundabouts
are friendlier than some of the larger ones.
Same rules,
still give-way to the right,
signal the same, you don't have to
signal to exit if you don't have time.
At the next mini-roundabout
we will follow the road ahead
give-way to the right, but it's well
worth checking to the left as well to
make sure that no one is pulling out when they
shouldn't.
See another sign for a mini-roundabout.
Again we're following the road ahead.
At the next mini-roundabout, we will
turn right.
This is a good example of a mini-roundabout
that is impossible to go round.
Especially if there's a parked car in the way.
But, we'll do our best.
Don't be afraid to drive on it if you need to.
Here we have another example of a mini-roundabout
that is again impossible to drive around.
Parked cars in the way.
We're turning right.
Drive on it a bit, especially as this road is so tight.
Again, plan ahead as you don't want to get stuck behind a parked car.
Don't be afraid to drive on a mini-roundabout if you need to,
as long as you try your best to go round it.
Now we have 2 mini-roundabouts coming up.
We will follow the road ahead at both of them.
Treat them as 2 separate individual roundabouts.
Give-way to the right.
Again, follow the road ahead and it's all clear
to the right,
which is basically cars opposite.
We're approaching those 2 mini-roundabouts again.
This time we will turn right at the first one and
left at the 2nd one.
We're checking mirrors to the right
signal right
it's all clear to the right.
Now we're turning left,
check mirrors to the left and signal left.
Giving way to the right and it's all clear.
This next mini-roundabout is fairly busy.
We know that we have to give-way to the right
We're turning left.
If a vehicle from the left, turns right
to where we just come from like this van
they will block the vehicles on the right
and give us a chance to go.
The next part of this video
is all about when to go onto a roundabout.
You'll have to use your anticipation skills to judge when it's safe to go.
Especially on busy roundabouts.
I'm going to show you clues to look out for
so you won't miss opportunities.
We obviously have to give-way to the right
but what we're looking for is
a vehicle that is going to exit the roundabout
to where we just come from.
See these 2 cars exiting
which gives us a chance to go.
But how do we know
when a vehicle is going to exit
the roundabout and give us a chance to
get on?
We don't rely on other vehicles signals
as they don't signal correctly or at all like that white
van.
As we can't rely on their signals, we need to look out for other clues.
For example where they're steering, their positioning and angle.
Let's have a look at some more examples.
This next opportunity is a little bit easier.
I'm looking at the speed
of these cars
this blue car is going quite fast,
I know he's not going to bother me.
Normally if the other car is going quite fast
they're probably zooming off to exit.
With this next opportunity
I'm going to slow the video
down to show you how you can look
at other vehicles postion
and angle to give you a good clue
that they're coming off.
With this red car, you can see how their front wheels are dead straight
there's no way that this car is
coming round and bother me, so this gives me
a chance to get on with no hesitation.
Lets see if you know when to go
on this next roundabout.
Again, we'll have another bus.
It's very hard to tell where this bus is
going.
But as we emerge further we can see that
he's going dead straight and not bothering us.
Again I was watching their front wheels
Let's slow this next roundabout down.
Would you take this next opportunity?
Look at their front wheels.
Look where they're steering.
Whatever you do, don't rely on other peoples
signals.
Another roundabout.
And a little bit busier..
Watch their front wheels...
Their position and are they speeding up.
Great opportunity there.
Got to be quick, got to be confident
at fast you can pull away.
Don't take any dangerous chances.
Plan ahead
Watch those other drivers, watch their front
wheels.
Sometimes you get lucky and it's totally clear.
These are the roundabouts we like.
This next roundabout, there is a car on
our right,
but because we have more momentum
more speed than they do
we can get on easily
without bothering them.
Now we have a zebra crossing to watch out for
as well as a roundabout.
Once the zebra crossing is clear,
we're checking the roundabout
the black car was coming off and gave
us a great chance to get on.
Let's have a look at this next roundabout
for that golden opportunity.
We're watching this silver car
that's coming round the roundabout.
And it's at this point that we can see
that their front wheels are straightening up
and their angle is pointing down where we've just come from.
Let's see if you would take this next
opportunity.
Make sure that you're comfortable
with your ability to pull away quickly onto
a roundabout.
The last thing you want to do is pull away quickly only
to stall.
It's a bit tricky to see but we made sure
that the van went first, so that we had a good view.
We're now approaching a notoriously busy roundabout,
called the Chinese roundabout.
It's getting late, getting busy.
Waiting for our opportunity to go.
Which will be this car coming off.
Gives us a chance to get on.
Keep a look out for the opportunity.
Is this car coming off?
No, they're coming round.
Also look out for vehicles that will
give you misleading signals.
Don't look at their indicators at all.
Use your anticipation skills.
This next car is indicating far too early.
The white van coming off gives us a chance to go.
The next roundabout is in slow motion.
I'm going to leave this next one up to you.
Look out for the opportunity.
3 cars coming round
which ones coming off?
Would you of taken that opportunity?
Look out for where they're steering.
Look at their angle.
Also, are they speeding up to exit.
All aspects of driving can be dangerous
make sure that when you practice roundabouts
that you start somewhere quiet
and at a quiet time and gradually build-up to
this level
which is rush hour traffic.
Don't do anything dangerous.
Here the angle of this car
gives me a good idea that they're coming off.
Gives us a great opportunity.
This next roundabout
I will deliberately hesitate.
There was an opportunity straight away to get on.
Let's see if you spot the next opportunity.
That white car came off.
Is there another one?
Is there an opportunity?
Would of been a bit too tight.
That blue car?
That was a great chance.
The 4x4?
That was a good one.
Look at how fast that cars going.
It's always a good indication that they're going to
come off and give us a chance.
At this next roundabout
again I'm going to deliberately.
Let's see if you spot the opportunities.
There's one.
Another..
Another opportunity...
Another one...
Great chance.
As usual look our cyclists
and pedestrians that might be near the roundabout
or on it.
This time, our view is blocked by this van.
So we need to make sure that we can see behind it.
It's all clear and we can go.
Wow! That was a lot of roundabouts!
We've shown you big roundabouts, mini ones and opportunities when to
get going onto a roundabout.
We really hope this video
has been useful
if it has, then please give us a 'thumbs up'
like at the bottom of the screen
and share your experiences of roundabouts
in the comments section below.
Don't forget driving is very dangerous
so make sure that you get help and
guidance from a professional driving instructor
and hopefully we'll see you on the next video!
Thanks again for watching.