It’s a roundabout, Jim, but not as we know it
September 19, 2011 at 10:08 am 9 comments
Okay, so I have this problem. With roundabouts. English ones, that is. Let’s just say they like their roundabouts here. So much so that you’ll often find two or three that you have to negotiate within a very short distance. I can’t remember ever seeing two roundabouts in quick succession in Australia, let alone three.
There’s so many of them and they’re often so close together, it reminds me of biology in high school where we learnt about ‘budding’ in a reproduction unit. You turn your back and where there was one roundabout, there’s suddenly two. No, wait. There’s four!
Scary stuff, budding roundabouts.
The truth is, most of these roundabouts aren’t even true roundabouts in my book. They’re more painted white dots on the road that have often worn out. Feel free to ignore them, because that’s what everyone else does, driving straight over the top of them (which, I’m guessing, is how they become worn out). Here’s an example of a ‘drive thru’ roundabout from our village…
But my real problem isn’t with the number of roundabouts. And it’s not even with the GPS guy, who can give some pretty dodgy roundabout directions (you can get up to seven or more exits on a roundabout because he likes to go crazy and count petrol station and KFC driveways and the like). No, my problem is with the roundabout rules. Or the lack thereof.
There seems to be one, basic roundabout rule — travel in a clockwise direction. And that’s where the similarities seem to end with Aussie driving. Because once you’re on the roundabout, all bets are off. Each time I enter, I feel like I’m in a Lewis Carroll novel. Anything could happen. Though, unlike a Lewis Carroll novel, there does seem to be one thing you can count on — whatever happens, exiting will be a issue. Mostly because everyone just seems to slide off to the left whenever they feel like leaving.
It’s all most peculiar.
The English seem to understand their mad system and they actually seem fond of their (oh-so-many) roundabouts. There’s even a roundabout appreciation society. Apparently their ‘Roundabouts of Redditch’ calendar sold something like 100,000 copies. I’m not sure what to think about that.
I’ve owned a driver’s licence for over 20 years now, but am seriously considering getting a driving lesson in the hope of understanding the exiting thing. Oh, and I’m keeping well clear of Swindon…
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1.
Kristy @ houseofprowse | September 19, 2011 at 12:14 pm
Followed your link to Swindon – OMG that looks tough!
I haven’t seen one roundabout here in our remote town but there was one that always created accidents back home. ahh makes me all homesick.
At least you are not driving on the opposite side of the road trying to negotiate them!
2.
allisonrushby | September 20, 2011 at 9:20 pm
Trust me, I am thankful every day that I’m at least not having to drive on the opposite side of the road!
3.
Vegemite Wife | September 19, 2011 at 12:23 pm
There are definitely rules on roundabouts here – I’m a little scared that you don’t know them and wonder whether you’ve been the person who exited sharply in front of me the oher day from the right hand lane…!
I promise you, you’ll get used to them. Just choose the correct lane.
4.
allisonrushby | September 20, 2011 at 9:19 pm
They’re supposed to be the same as back at home. Just found this, which is brilliant… http://www.2pass.co.uk/roundabout.htm I think the problem I’m finding is that some people who want to go straight ahead are trying to do so from the right hand lane. Then they just slink across to the left to exit. Maybe it’s Cambridgeshire. Thinking about getting a driving lesson just for the sheer thrill of getting instructor to show me how to park Cambridgeshire-style (opposite direction, on the footpath etc.), like everyone else does.
5.
Vegemite Wife | September 21, 2011 at 4:39 pm
Yes, you can go straight ahead from the right hand lane. Just be careful the person in the left hand lane who is going straight ahead doesn’t take up the whole road once you get off the roundabout. There should be 2 lanes when you exit, even if they abruptly merge into one.
Left lane = left or straight ahead
Right lane = right or straight ahead
6.
Alli | September 20, 2011 at 2:50 am
Oh…. Swindon looks very scary. You might do well to get a lesson in roundabout etiquette! I had a major drama with Four Ways in Canada. A Four Way is an interesection with FOUR stop signs. I kid you not. The Canadians rely on good manners and honesty here and the first person to stop at the sign gets first dibs on driving through the intersection. It’s fine and dandy until two people arrive at the same time. Mayhem is a word that comes to mind… Mind you, they’ve started putting in roundabouts and no one has any clues how to use ‘em.
Good luck!
7.
allisonrushby | September 20, 2011 at 9:09 pm
I have heard tales of Four Ways. If you’re unsure about those roundabouts — just drive straight through!
8.
readingwithtea | September 20, 2011 at 8:21 pm
All I can say is don’t try to do Hyde Park Corner. I’ve yet to successfully negotiate it first time (I always have to loop around the roundabout AT LEAST once). And I’ve sworn never to go near it on a bike!
9.
allisonrushby | September 20, 2011 at 9:07 pm
Oh, no way! London is way beyond me at this point! I saw Hyde Park Corner while we were in London a while back. Eek!