It's 'round about' time to learn to drive the British way

Photo By Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Wallace | It's 'round about' time to learn to drive the British way. (U.S. Air Force illustration by Staff Sgt. Austin M. May)  

ABE, UNITED KINGDOM

09.29.2011

Story by Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace  

100th Air Refueling Wing   

by Tech. Sgt. Kevin Wallace
100th Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

RAF MILDENHALL, England - Many newcomers are alarmed by roundabouts when they first arrive to the United Kingdom.

Locally, the Five-Ways roundabout at Barton Mills seems to be quite intimidating to many, but after a few encounters with that roundabout and others like it, most drivers build confidence.

Managing roundabouts in the U.K. is not an act of magic; it just takes practice and patience.

According to the U.K. highway code, on approaching a roundabout, drivers should take notice and act on all available information, including traffic signs, lights and lane markings.

When approaching a roundabout, drivers must yield to traffic approaching from the right, unless otherwise directed by a sign or traffic light.

When actually entering a roundabout, it's imperative to get into the correct lane and adjust speed and position to fit in with traffic conditions.

Signals and positions can be confusing to new drivers, so Road and Driver offers the following advice:

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 while going through it.

Base newcomers are issued a copy of the Highway Code when they in-process and should familiarize themselves with it until they feel comfortable.

Once mastered, roundabouts don't have to be intimidating at all. In fact, there's even a roundabout appreciation society in England, and many fascinating roundabouts have become moderate tourist destinations.

In the U.K., roundabouts come in many shapes and sizes. There are standard roundabouts, mini-roundabouts, double mini-roundabouts, multiple roundabouts at complex junctions, and even a Magic Roundabout in Swindon.

According to Swindon Web, the Magic Roundabout is a white-knuckle experience. It's basically five roundabouts with an enormous roundabout in the center.

The website calls it Swindon's pride and joy and there are even T-shirts stating, 'I survived the Magic Roundabout.'

• Date Taken: 09.29.2011
• Date Posted: 02.02.2012 09:25
• Story ID: 83199
• Location: ABE, GB