Roundabouts

[Bobman]

Just on the back of the 'DVR' thread.

I also had thought that 'give way to the right' was the "smart" way of traversing through roundabouts, otherwise it's just organised chaos.

If two cars are approaching a roundabout at the exact same time and the rules simply state give way to any vehicle already in the roundabout - then what happens?

As traffic lights go out, many people follow the give way to right rule and that's probably the safest way of doing things.

What do others think?

[Halfmo Rocks]

i agree...give way to the right is the simple way to explain it all...but there is obviously more to the rule when people want to argue

[Coyote mk3]

I am now aware it isn't correct, but I always thought give way to the right when at a round a bout.
I do and will anyway and I find that most others in Brisbane area do too.

[Ben73]

Give way to the right makes sense. I don't get what 2 cars getting there at same time has to do with anything. It depends on where they are and where they turning.

[Bobman]

Originally Posted by Ben73

Give way to the right makes sense. I don't get what 2 cars getting there at same time has to do with anything. It depends on where they are and where they turning.

If they're both going straight for example, who should go first? This is why the law should be changed from "give way to any vehicle in roundabout" to "give way to any vehicle in roundabout AND to your right".

The way the road rule is worded now makes it seem like anyone can just zoom through a roundabout like they do at intersections in India.

[XCwillo]

Originally Posted by Bobman

If they're both going straight for example, who should go first?

Do you mean you are both next to eachother when you reach the round about?
Well you could both go at the same time? you go first they go first it all depends on what lane you're in?
I dont get the point of the question since you are both giving way to others and not eachother, so there no reason to have the other car in the question?

[Bobman]

Originally Posted by XCwillo

Do you mean you are both next to eachother when you reach the round about?

Nah. I'm talking about a small suburban roundabout (one lane only in all directions). Say there's a car that wants to go from west -> east and you want to go south -> north but you're both stopped dead because a third car had just completed a right hand turn that both of you had to give way to. You can either go at the same time and t-bone each other or the person who wants to go west -> east gives way to you because you are on his right. Hope that makes sense.

There should never be confusion in road rules so that's why I think the way it's worded is ridiculous.

[Coyote mk3]

Originally Posted by Bobman

Nah. I'm talking about a small suburban roundabout (one lane only in all directions). Say there's a car that wants to go from west -> east and you want to go south -> north but you're both stopped dead because a third car had just completed a right hand turn that both of you had to give way to. You can either go at the same time and t-bone each other or the person who wants to go west -> east gives way to you because you are on his right. Hope that makes sense.

There should never be confusion in road rules so that's why I think the way it's worded is ridiculous.

The person on the right would go first anyway as the car past him first and therefore can jump on the roundabout earlier.

[pottery beige]

just race the other dude to it.. you wins.....

[Jim Goose]

We have 4 way stop signs here all over town....
No one uses common sence when two cars arrive at the same time!....
And very few understand the concept that EVERYONE MUST STOP.

As for roundabouts, yes the rules are pretty stupid, giving way to traffic already there is neither here nor there! Think about the differences in sizes of roundabouts, where a very tiny suburban roundabout you have a greater risk of collision because there isnt much in the way of reaction time should drivers not give way.
A large diameter roundabout gives one time to adjust speed to enter behind a car already there....

[GreenR]

What I was taught:
Give way to right in most situations.
Give way to the vehicle turning left opposite you when you're turning right
Give way to vehicles already in roundabout. Otherwise give way to right.
OR communicate with other driver

[Coyote mk3]

Originally Posted by plarazza

Give way to the vehicle turning left opposite you when you're turning right

Can you explain that a little further?
In my mind I am visualising you stopping in the middle of the roundabout to let the person opposite you make a left turn, before you follow them.

Not trying to sound like a smart@ss here either. I am 99% sure I am missing something

[GreenR]

Originally Posted by Coyote mk3

Can you explain that a little further?
In my mind I am visualising you stopping in the middle of the roundabout to let the person opposite you make a left turn, before you follow them.

Not trying to sound like a smart@ss here either. I am 99% sure I am missing something

LOL sorry I wasn't being roundabout specific. Just in general.

[Coyote mk3]

Oh haha, yep I get you now.

As far as that goes, if you have to turn in front of someone then you do not have right of way.
Unless of course they have a giveway or stop sign and you have none.

[AndrewR_AUII]

The right of way is always given - not taken

[71cop]

Originally Posted by Bobman

Just on the back of the 'DVR' thread.


If two cars are approaching a roundabout at the exact same time and the rules simply state give way to any vehicle already in the roundabout - then what happens?


What do others think?

One person stops or slows & gives way to the other, it's not that hard really.

Dave.

[Bobman]

Originally Posted by 71cop

One person stops or slows & gives way to the other, it's not that hard really.

Dave.

Yeah, except there are many crashes at roundabouts everyday though because some think they can just go through and everyone should give way to them and other problems where some people forget indicators etc.

I was talking about 2 cars both stopped and it's a tug of war. Thanks for all the replies to others, it's a good discussion.

[Silver Ghia]

Originally Posted by Bobman

Yeah, except there are many crashes at roundabouts everyday though because some think they can just go through and everyone should give way to them and other problems where some people forget indicators etc.

I was talking about 2 cars both stopped and it's a tug of war. Thanks for all the replies to others, it's a good discussion.

I suppose when two cars are stopped, it depends how big the roundabout is. Obviously if it is big enough, the car which would normally give way to the right would have sufficient time to get past before the car on the right reaches it.
But if its a small roundabout, then the giveway to the right rule would prevail, as it would be difficult for the driver on the left to prove that he/she gave way to the other that was on the roundabout when they hit (which they wouldn't have).

[Geez Louise]

There was a really good thread a year or so ago when a member posted an excellent example of roundabouts...I will see if I can find it!

[Silver Ghia]

If the vehicle on the right is still approaching the roundabout, and there is no risk of collision with that vehicle, there should be no reason to give way to it.

The thing that really gets me at two lane roundabouts however, is the many drivers that cut straight across the two lanes, sometimes ignoring other vehicles in the next lane in close proximity. The whole idea of two lanes is so vehicles can transition through the roundabout together, like this (ref Vicroads Driving in Victoria Rules and Responsibilities):

[mrfordfairmont]

Originally Posted by nitro xr

If the vehicle on the right is still approaching the roundabout, and there is no risk of collision with that vehicle, there should be no reason to give way to it.

The thing that really gets me at two lane roundabouts however, is the many drivers that cut straight across the two lanes, sometimes ignoring other vehicles in the next lane in close proximity. The whole idea of two lanes is so vehicles can transition through the roundabout together, like this (ref Vicroads Driving in Victoria Rules and Responsibilities):

i have has so many idiots close to go under the side of the truck because of the non indication of where they are going. i drive out if they are not inducating they are going across the front of me to the next exit and there has been a lot close to hitting me, including a cop car they stopped and let me through and contuned on their way as they were in the wrong

[XD 351 Ute]

Well posted Plarazza, and Nitro XR. The pic sums it up perfectly.
Only problem is when they decide to bodgy up the road a bit and turn a two lane round-a-bout into a one lane exit......
We have one up here, and the amount of close calls I've seen is scary.

Ed

[Coyote mk3]

There is one of them in Samford too.
I just make sure that if there is someone next to me then I let them in front to sort themselves out.

[Mechan1k]

http://www.rta.nsw.gov.au/rulesregu...oundabouts.html

All written here in plain English ... hahahahaha
vague in some spots though ... but in the end it comes down to being a sensible driver.

The key point written in that link above though is ... "Slow down as you approach a roundabout. You must give way to traffic already on the roundabout if there is a risk of collision. Enter the roundabout when there is a safe gap in the traffic."

[Coyote mk3]

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

The key point written in that link above though is ... "Slow down as you approach a roundabout. You must give way to traffic already on the roundabout if there is a risk of collision. Enter the roundabout when there is a safe gap in the traffic."

It really just does come down to common sense but as we all know that is not so common these days.

Also, the rules always state slow down...What exactly is slowing down?
I mean could you theoretically have a roundabout near home that is on an 80kph stretch of road and can easily see if anything is coming from any direction.
Drop it down to 79 and just kiss the inside lip of the roundabout as you straight line it through whilst giving yourself a warm fuzzy feeling of awesomeness without breaking any rules?

(yes the above is exagerated a bit, done for a laugh and most likely rhetorical - don't flame me)

[naddis01]

Originally Posted by Mechan1k

The key point written in that link above though is ... "Slow down as you approach a roundabout. You must give way to traffic already on the roundabout if there is a risk of collision. Enter the roundabout when there is a safe gap in the traffic."

Exactly. I don't see why roundabouts are so hard to understand. Of course you have to give way to traffic already on the roundabout. What happens if someone is on the roundabout and you come flying up to the roundabout on their right? What do you do? You give way to the car on the roundabout or you collide with them. Surely it is simple.

Generally people are giving way to the right because cars already on the roundabout, where there is a risk of collision, are on their right.

[Franco Cozzo]

I thought it was give way to the right at the roundabout too, but in Victoria the law is "Give way to all vehicles in the roundabout".

First in best dressed I suppose.

My license examiner wanted me to wait until there was no vehicles on my right at the roundabout before I could go, I got yelled at after I passed my test because I had to wait until EVERYONE on my right, who where stopped were gone, as in no cars there.

I was going when they had to give way to their right.

[Silver Ghia]

Originally Posted by Big Damo

My license examiner wanted me to wait until there was no vehicles on my right at the roundabout before I could go, I got yelled at after I passed my test because I had to wait until EVERYONE on my right, who where stopped were gone, as in no cars there.

No wonder there is so much confusion at roundabouts with examiners having their own rules. I remember I got yelled at over 30 years ago by my examiner because I slowed down for a dog crossing the road and didnt use the horn. How stupid was that, a scared dog can go anywhere.

[Silver Ghia]

The bottom line is that regardless of who entered the roundabout first, in the event of a collision and telling your insurer, it would be hard for the driver of the vehicle on the left to prove they were in the roundabout before the vehicle on the right.

[Keepleft]

Originally Posted by nitro xr

The bottom line is that regardless of who entered the roundabout first, in the event of a collision and telling your insurer, it would be hard for the driver of the vehicle on the left to prove they were in the roundabout before the vehicle on the right.

A lady of about 67 in her car was hit by another car that entered the roundabout to her right, using his commute speed through the roundabout as the gameplay of his assumption of "right-of-way".

Sure, she was fined for 'failing to give way' by Wyong HWP.

She knew the ARR rule and knew she was correct, and elected to proceed at Wyong local court. Local HWP didn't quite get it either, at the time. (After Dec 1, 1999)

Her fine was overturned and the driver that hit her on her right rear quarter instead copped the fine, and costs.


REGARDLESS, most seem to want a give way to the right rule instead, (and drive accordingly), meaning that IF the law changes it would be such that;- when you approach a roundabout and could currently enter it BEFORE "that car" zooming up to the the same roundabout on_your_right - would then have right of way over you instead. You would have to await its arrival AND departure.