Sometimes I see stubs that are no entries. Is there a difference in the shape or size? How do I deduce what one is a no entry and what one is a local access? So I can teach my learners Great video. Thanks
Very interesting video - so thanks. Roundabouts are the one thing I’d say the Highway Code definitely needs to take another look at and illustrate more examples that go beyond the “textbook-perfect” examples they currently use.
I agree with you, and roundabouts is something I do find very difficult to teach. Mostly because like you say, the Highway Code Examples are too simplistic. But also because Wolverhampton Council can't afford white paint and the road marking are near invisible.
Or even better, just turn all roundabouts into standard junctions. They're the Russian roulette of British motoring. I just don't understand why every other aspect of driving in the UK is made so boring and safe, and then we just say "sod this" and stick a circular free-for-all every few miles! 😂
The Magic Roubdabout being the best example of this perversity. There's just absolutely no need for it at all - one normal roundabout would have sufficed, but no, they had to turn it into a Crystal Maze challenge!
This video literally saved me, I was so confused with the roundabouts here where left lane was for exits one and two and straight ahead was towards the right of the sign but was straight ahead
Glad you found it useful. Unfortunately, there will always be exceptions, and we have to kind of deal with them. If you can adjust your speed so that you are never side by side with another car then you can often change lanes easily if you need to.
problem is on the example with drybits and wetwang.. in parts of uk its not consistent. for example. we dont have a longer arrow headed exit marking.. we have two stubs next to each other. confuses people as on one example.. it was a short road off, now its actually the road "back onto the one you came off!" next to the entrance slip road in the other direction. so confusing. i spoke to highways uk to ask why there is not consistent markings and they wont answer me
You explained very well as this is not in any uk highway codes. I was so confused with these flat parallel signs.. (comes together) I just wanted to make sure if it short and come alone like here before (Tom Moore Gardens exit) 10:37 So Tom Moore Gardens is 2nd exit or 3rd exit 🤔?
For the two lane roads section at 5:57, where is the reference saying you can use the left lane to go to Chester? I don't see it in the highway code, driving the essential skills, or the DfT traffic signs manual. The only reference I can see is that the line width is increased to show major routes where most of the traffic is going. I've also heard other driving instructors say you can only use the left lane on such roundabouts where road markings allow. So it must be a muddled topic!
I think you are half correct: any vehicle which is long, might *need* to use the left lane so that the back end of their vehicle doesn't mount the kerb on the grassy bit in the middle of the roundabout. It's to do with then needing more space, so they could well choose the left lane. My advice is never to be alongside a long vehicle on a Roundabout, especially if you see they have a foreign licence plate because the driver will be on the "wrong side" of the cab.
The sign is telling you that the 3rd exit should be treated as straight on, so look for a straight arrow. In real world, the left lane would probably split into two lanes, with left going to stubby and acrabbleton, and middle going ahead 3rd exit.
I'd day no signal needed. Have a think about who you are signalling to on roundabouts: it's usually for people further around, waiting to join. On these huge roundabouts, where those people can't see you, a signal may not help. You can also look at the arrows on the road to decide if you are going left straight or right. Often the exits over to the right still have straight arrows, suggesting a right signal isn't helpful.
Can someone answer me this please. In the roundabout example at 5:58. I’m in the right lane ,to head to whinging moor. What lane should I aim for when I leave the round about, left or right? Is there a rule for this or is it just a case of a shoulder check and move into the left lane? In theory I shouldn’t be undertaken at this point,right? I hope that make sense. There are about 10 variables In my head I can’t express as a comment as well lol. This has always bothered me about roundabouts
It's usually acceptable to exit to the left or the right with, as you rightly point out, good observation. If its a spiral roundabouts with definite lane guides, this will take you to the left or right, and you should ideally stick with it.
you almost always exit from the left lane (and you must DO if its one-lane exit only) - otherwise you are cutting in front of someone already there (dangerous). In the case you asked for, you stick to the right lane (if there are only lets say 2 lanes on the roundabout), until you approach Chester, then you check left mirrors, signal and move left smoothly if safe and exit.
Thank you for the information at 8:25 on elongated roundabouts. I was really confused about that because I thought those stubbs counted as exits onto minor roads at first.
Nicely presented video - You should add the gap is to show its a one way - and the thickness of the lines show the major and minor roads and you should add that sometimes junctions are placed before the roundabout to help you signal - also add what the brackets mean on road numbers - i.e. if you keep following you will get to that road - and add that signs can be repeated but first ones are direction routes, then industrial routes and retail parks and then tourist - sometimes all repeated sometimes not.
There are some explanation of sign board colours for primary routs or motorway on official DVLA highway code theory book but no details about Tubbies when they comes parallel... So if there are three exits, I assumed they are six. Also driving instructor don't teach us. After watching this video it's clear. Thanks
A blue roundabout sign doesnt have to be on the motorway per se. If you've exited the motorway where there is a roundabout at the end of the slip road, this will be shown on a blue sign even if it joins only A or B roads as motorway rules apply until the end of the slip road is reached.
Nearly got taken out recently on an island (saved myself by performing a ‘clown check’ as always.) Major island, coming off the M5, junction is above the motorway. Guy gets in the left lane but turns right. Obviously he was in my blind spot as it was my time to move over and indicate, after the junction before the one I want. Some hooting and swearing later, pulls next to me Toddler: “It’s a two lane island mate” Me: “Erm yes aren’t most of them typically? Since when do you turn right in a left lane unless specifically instructed to?” (Rule 186) Toddler: “Didn’t you see those two lines at the top of the island?!? That means use both lanes” (he’s referring to the two stumps at the top representing the M5 on and off slips dead opposite) Me: 😂😂😂 “Read the Highway Code before you kill someone…..” Good video BTW, it’s good to brush up on these things.
Is this information available in the Highway Code/know your signs I’ve tried finding it for reference but can’t seem to find any official documents. cheers
The Highway Code is very vague on this subject. The best source of info, although a bit geeky and technical, is the Department for Transport "Traffic Signs Manual" www.gov.uk/government/publications/traffic-signs-manual
From Canada: I've driven in the UK a few times now, and the one thing that you didn't mention is that most roundabout signs have the left side covered in vegitation. But, even with that I still think that roundabouts are great. :)
Great question, and one I should address if I redo this video in the future. In your example, traffic in the right lane going to Gt Moaning, and traffic in the left lane going to Chester would get tangled up. So that would not work. The road markings would be your guide but some solutions would be: 1) Gt Moaning left lane only 2) Chester right lane only 3) design the approach to have 3 lanes not two.
Hello again, I've just reread your question and I think I misunderstood it first time, so here goes. We would always be guided by the road markings, and of course we don't give that info in the video. In the real world, it is unusual for the left lane to serve any further than the 2nd exit but there is no reason why it couldn't. We would need to be very aware of nay traffic coming from the right, in lane 2, wishing to go to Gt Moaning. If the first exit was a two lane road, then it is most likely that the approach would be three lanes, with lane 1 serving Gt Moaning, lane 2 serving Services and Chester, and lane three serving Chester and beyond. One of the golden rules of roundabouts is always to be aware of traffic next to you, as not everybody follows markings or stays in their lane. Hope that clears up any confusion.
