Rules of the road: how to navigate a roundabout

On the list of places you're most likely to experience road rage, the roundabout is probably at the top. Most motoring 'misunderstandings' that take place on the evil discs puncturing our road network do so because one, both or all drivers involved simply didn't understand how roundabouts work. It's an odd phenomenon, given that we encounter them every single day.

So, here we are to clarify. And we're pleased to do so because, perhaps more so than any other 'rules of the road' feature this one is likely to spare you a trip to the car body shop. Obviously, roundabouts come in many and varied forms, from two-junction 'mini' ones painted on the road, to grand scale multi-exit behemoths planted one after the other. Fortunately the basic rules remain, though we'll look at a variety of scenarios and guide you through each, all the while following the lawful guidance of the Highway Code.

The basics:

The Highway Code lays out some basic tenets that should be observed on all roundabouts. Follow them and you'll not go far wrong. In a nutshell, they are:

1. Pay attention. An obvious one, really.
2. Decide early where you're going so you're not aimlessly circling the roundabout.
3. Adjust your speed in accordance with the other traffic.

Ok, so that's the basic stuff done. Now let's move onto the roundabout.

The approach:

As we've said, roundabouts come in all sizes (but not shapes - they're usually round) and are therefore not all approached in quite the same way. So, let's look at smaller roundabouts first, in this case those with only a single lane approaching them:

1. Approach slowly.
2. Indicate as early as you can without confusing traffic, either behind you or waiting at the roundabout.
3. Give way to traffic coming from the right.
4. Stop if necessary, but if visibility is good and you're happy it's clear, proceed.
5. If you're turning right, indicate so, and then indicate to the left once you've passed the exit immediately prior to the one you want.
6. Always check your mirrors for other traffic.

Multi-lane roundabouts:

In the case of bigger roundabouts, or those with more than a couple of exits and more than one lane adjoining them, the basic rules are the same but the approach is slightly different:

1. Check road markings to see which lane you should be in for the exit you need. If there are none, then assume you should go to the far right lane to turn right, and stay to the left to turn left or go straight ahead. More complex roundabouts (those over motorways, for example) usually have their multiple approach lanes clearly marked.
2. The Highway Code says you should 'select the appropriate lane' for an 'intermediate' exit (neither immediate left or far right) and that 'you should not normally need to signal on approach'. Of course, you should signal left before you exit and, whatever you do, avoid cutting across other traffic to get to it.
3. Busier roundabouts might have a 'feeder lane' that allows traffic turning left to carry on without stopping. Check the road for markings, but even if there is a feeder, you should still check traffic coming from the right.
4. If you have stopped, look forward (as well as right) to make sure the car in front of you has moved off - countless rear shunts happen because drivers don't do this.

A few points of note:

1. It is not acceptable, according to the Code, to simply plough over the central markings of a mini roundabout, as most people do when going straight ahead - unless you're in a lorry that physically has to.
2. In the same way as you should avoid cutting traffic up, watch out for traffic that might cut across you; it's useful to assume that those around you might do something silly.
3. Look out for cyclists.
4. Look out for long vehicles and those with caravans that might have to straddle lanes and watch for their turn signals.
5. Avoid making u-turns at mini roundabouts.
6. At multiple roundabouts, treat each one individually and follow the normal rules.

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Mark Nichol