What is the correct way to pass roundabouts?
With the correct understanding and competent use by all participants, a roundabout is one of the most rational forms of organizing an intersection. After all, any number of roads can be drawn on a circle, and movement along it is continuous for most drivers. On a circle, you can easily correct the mistake associated with missing the required turn, for this you just need to make another circle in order to turn on the second attempt to the desired exit, which is not difficult at all. Of course, habit plays a role, but the convenience of the circle is beyond doubt.
Alas, for some drivers, the unusual roundabout continues to cause discomfort even many years after obtaining a license. How can you "make friends" with a circle and use its advantages for your convenience? Consider the basic rules for driving roundabouts and the peculiarities of passing such intersections.
What are the signs for the roundabout?
Let's start with the fact that you need to prepare for the entrance to the circle in advance, and it is also better to understand earlier which of the exits you need to get to. With the full set of necessary road signs installed, you will learn about the circular traffic ahead ahead of time.
To inform drivers, the Traffic Rules provide for two types of signs.
- ** Warning sign 1.19: “Intersection with roundabout.” ** White triangle with a red border and a circle of black arrows inside. It is installed at a distance of 50-100 m before the roundabout in the city and 150-300 m before the roundabout outside the settlement;
- ** Mandatory sign 4.10: “Roundabout.” ** Blue circle with white circular arrows pointing counterclockwise. Installed directly in front of the circle.
** Also, as a rule, signs are accompanied by sign 7.8 “Direction of the main road”. **
What is the correct way to enter the circle and move along it?
You should enter the circle after passing cars already moving along it. First, make sure that you do not interfere with them by your appearance (that is, do not force them to brake, slow down, change the direction of movement). If there are no cars, you need to enter immediately.
While driving along the ring, you become a priority participant, and you can move to your exit, shifting to the right. In this case, it is especially important to observe the lateral spacing if the traffic is organized in several lanes.
Do I need to turn on the turn signals?
In the EU countries and the USA, Canada, it is absolutely customary to use a direction indicator when approaching your exit and preparing to turn into it. Most modern cars have the function of "unconnected" use of the direction indicator, when without clicking and fixing, but simply by lightly pressing the lever up and down, the indicator makes 3 blinks, respectively, left and right.
** In Ukraine, when driving roundabout, turn signals must be turned on in the following cases: **
- Right turn at the entrance;
- Right turn when approaching the exit to the desired exit (50 m away).
- The left turn during a roundabout does not need to be turned on. An exception is if you are going to change lanes.
How to get off the circle correctly?
If you are approaching the desired exit, you must take the right side. Show the turn signal 50 meters before the maneuver. It is important to keep your distance as the vehicle in front may start braking without turning on the right turn signal. Also, check for possible interference on your right. Often there are motorcyclists or scooters to the right of the car. After approaching, take a right turn and accelerate until you reach current speed.
