What is the official driving theory on going straight over on the roundabout?

BSMGUY

Road markings are important. Firstly, if the road markings show you which lane to be in then you MUST stick by it.
Failing that the usual rule of thumb is;
Treat it as the face of a clock. Any junctions before 12 or on 12 are left lanes, any exits on 12 or after 12 right hand lane.
Being aware and planning your route ahead is the secret to roundabout driving.**** Tunisian guy sorry mate you're wrong. If you are turning left or right at a roundabout you MUST signal, so that looks like 3 penalty points on your clean licence. You do not need to signal to come off a mini roundabout as they are quite tight and there is a lot of steering involved.

firecat_mage

Imagine a four exit roundabout.

Exits at 12 o clock, 3 o clock, 6 o clock and 9 o clock.

When you approach....
For the first exit you should be in the nearside lane.
For the second exit you should be in the nearside lane (unless there are 2 lanes entering and exiting these exits.
For the third exit, you should approach in the farside lane and ease over after passing the second exit to be in the neasride lane to leave the roundabout.
For the fourth exit (the one you are approaching from and want to come back onto in the opposite direction), you should approach in the farside lane and ease over to the nearside lane after the third exit, to be in the nearside lane for the fourth exit.
As a rule of thumb, any exit before the 12 o clock position should be approached from the nearside lane and any after 12 o clock should be approached in the farside lane.

BUT, don't forget that road markings may indicate that there a certain lanes you should be in for certain exits. There may be only 1 lane for a certain exit and you need to be aware of that. There may be road signs giving warning or it may simply be painted onto the road. Driving is a dangerous business and you should try to be aware of your surroundings as well as whats in front of you, including cars - pedestrians - signs - junctions and so on.

hope that helps a little.
For factual evidence, if you are in the UK then take a look at the Highway Code book. All of this information is listed with little pictures to help you understand.

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/index.htm
online version of the Highway Code

happystar

if your going straight over (2nd exit or 1st exit) you wanna be in the left hand lane if im correct dont quote me.
For the 3rd,4th etc you wanna be in the right hand lane.

VENI VIDI VIDIC

Some people are making it sound difficult.
Right lane for turning right.
Left lane for turning left.
Left lane for straight on - UNLESS otherwise indicated by the arrows on the road.
Hence if there is 3 or 4 lanes, the arrows on the road and the signs on the approach will tell you what lane to be in - easy.

StingRay

Assuming that You drive on the left wherever You are, the first two exits are taken from the left lane, anything after that is taken from the right lane. From the right lane, indicate right onto the roundabout, the indicate left just after the exit before Yours. Going straight over, hit the roundabout from the left lane with no indication, then indicate left after the first exit. I can't put it any plainer than that.

healer

I tried going straight on once.. hit a lampost .. got points.. a fine & Â£350 costs

Dave J

Oh dear oh dear - people please read the highway code!!

Visit: http://direct.gov.uk/en/TravelAndTransport/Highwaycode/DG_070338
and read rule 186.

i quote:

When taking the first exit to the left, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise

* signal left and approach in the left-hand lane
* keep to the left on the roundabout and continue signalling left to leave

When taking an exit to the right or going full circle, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise

* signal right and approach in the right-hand lane
* keep to the right on the roundabout until you need to change lanes to exit the roundabout
* signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want

When taking any intermediate exit, unless signs or markings indicate otherwise

* select the appropriate lane on approach to the roundabout
* you should not normally need to signal on approach
* stay in this lane until you need to alter course to exit the roundabout
* signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want

When there are more than three lanes at the entrance to a roundabout, use the most appropriate lane on approach and through it.

OK so when going straight on you use the "appropriate lane" on approach! Be careful - a lot of roundabouts are different! No wonder there are so many accidents on the roads!

tattie_herbert

Yeah, the above is right, but don't forget about giving way, sometimes the road markings are on the roundabout, not just at the junction!

Gemini DJ

On the approach to a roundabout, there will usually be a Map mounted on a signboard.

If your exit is straight ahead - left lane
any exits before s.ahead - left lane
any exits after straight ahead - Right lane

If there are multiple lanes, they will usually be marked depending on which road(s) that you intend on taking.
(eg. middle lane 'Regent Street') [Destination applicable]

Basically, If your exit is on the left, you need the left lane, but if it is on th right, then obviously the right lane. I think straight ahead is left lane, but can't guarantee it.

peter.ambrose@talk21.com

If taking first exit, be in nearside lane. Any other exit including straight on, be in offside lane and begin indicating your intention to exit as you become level with the exit prior to the one you intend to take. Of course most of the idiots drive any way they like so watch out. As a matter of interest, although most of us give way to traffic on the right at a roundabout, there is no statutary right of way. Try getting a copy of "Roadcraft", from WHSmith. It is the advanced drivers bible.

dollin.tony

as iunderstand it the mighty all powerfull god of all things highway code says: left lane for turning left ,right lane for turning right and either lane for stright across ,depending on trafic volume.
Then again ,the mighty god of all things highway didn`t take into account the impatient, angry inconsiderate or drunken driver, like certain members of the travelling comunity ,who have`t even passed a test.
good luck driving person

rooni

Every roundabout/area is different.

You have to go by markings on the road on the approach to the roundabout. If there are cars already sitting on top of the markings then it makes it hard to know. Hence why i hate roundabouts!!

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