Leaving on Sunday - could someone please explain the 'roundabouts'?
Jul 27th, 2006, 10:53 AM
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Leaving on Sunday - could someone please explain the 'roundabouts'?
I'm a bit nervous about driving in Ireland. I've driven in the Bahamas and Rarotonga, and picked the driving up fairly quickly. Nobody else wanted to drive, and I felt comfortable with it, so I was the designated driver. BUT... driving there was usually on a two lane, uncrowded road. I've done a lot of reading on this subject, and it sounds like the 'roundabouts' are the trickiest parts of driving in Ireland. What is a roundabout? I'm trying to picture it in my head.
Thanks much
Carrie
Thanks much
Carrie
Jul 27th, 2006, 10:59 AM
#2
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,585
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This is a British website but roundabouts are the same in Ireland
http://www.2pass.co.uk/roundabout.htm
The video is useful
http://www.2pass.co.uk/roundabout.htm
The video is useful
Jul 27th, 2006, 11:00 AM
#3
A roundabout road junction with a large, normally circular obstruction in the centre. You give way to traffic coming from your right.
http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/images/160_roundabout.gif
there is a guide on how to use them at:
http://www.driving-test-success.com/...undabouts.html
http://www.highwaycode.gov.uk/images/160_roundabout.gif
there is a guide on how to use them at:
http://www.driving-test-success.com/...undabouts.html
Jul 27th, 2006, 11:04 AM
#5
Join Date: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,585
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
The diagram is more useful than the video.
If you click on it, it takes you through turning left, right etc.
The website again is http://www.2pass.co.uk/roundabout.htm
If you click on it, it takes you through turning left, right etc.
The website again is http://www.2pass.co.uk/roundabout.htm
Jul 27th, 2006, 11:13 AM
#6
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 602
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I just returned from driving about 1,000 miles in Scotland, where I saw some stretches of road that seemed to have a roundabout every few hundred yards. I didn't find them to be a problem, but we have many here in New England (we call them rotaries), so I only needed to change the direction of rotation.
One of the keys to successfully negotiating multi-lane roundabouts (which are really the only ones that present potential problems) is getting into the correct lane before you get there. The links that others have provided are great, and I would only add that as you approach the roundabout you should look for and remember the sign that shows the configuration, carefully noting where it is you plan to get off. I find it easiest to think of the roundabout as a clock face, with me entering at the 6 - then I can simply remember that I'm getting off at 10, or 3, or whatever, and plan accordingly.
One of the keys to successfully negotiating multi-lane roundabouts (which are really the only ones that present potential problems) is getting into the correct lane before you get there. The links that others have provided are great, and I would only add that as you approach the roundabout you should look for and remember the sign that shows the configuration, carefully noting where it is you plan to get off. I find it easiest to think of the roundabout as a clock face, with me entering at the 6 - then I can simply remember that I'm getting off at 10, or 3, or whatever, and plan accordingly.
Jul 27th, 2006, 11:44 AM
#9
Original Poster
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 292
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Whoa!!! That's amazing information you all just provided! Thank you so much! I really can't picture why I would get into the inside lane of a roundabout. I'll go back and study some more, but would it be safe just to stay in the left lane until I reach the exit?
Thanks again
Carrie
Thanks again
Carrie
Jul 27th, 2006, 11:51 AM
#10
Join Date: May 2003
Posts: 6,324
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
That would only be safe if you intend to take the first exit from the roundabout. If you need to go around 3/4 of the roundabout, you will get into trouble if you stay in the left hand lane, since cars will be exiting on the left while you want to go on ahead and take the next exit.
Jul 27th, 2006, 01:24 PM
#11
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 19,881
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
< but would it be safe just to stay in the left lane until I reach the exit? >
No, in fact it would be extremely dangerous for anythign except a left tuen or straight ahead, if you did that for a right turn then it's virtually certain that you'll be in an accident
No, in fact it would be extremely dangerous for anythign except a left tuen or straight ahead, if you did that for a right turn then it's virtually certain that you'll be in an accident
Jul 27th, 2006, 01:50 PM
#14
Join Date: Jun 2006
Posts: 17,549
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
One of the biggest probelms is with people approaching from your right who do NOt signal their intentions...you wait and they end up exiting before they get to you..you pause and another one can do the same thing.
Can be frustrating because you think you will NEVER get to enter!
Can be frustrating because you think you will NEVER get to enter!
Jul 27th, 2006, 10:15 PM
#15
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 3,254
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
dcsam, the roundabouts were quite stressful for us. Hubby is a confident driver and has driven many places around the world. Yet in Ireland for 2 whole weeks, every time we came to a roundabout it was like OH NO HERE COMES THE ROUNDABOUT EVERYBODY GET READY! Ahhhhh! 
The best thing is to follow these steps:
1) the driver should study the map before he/she starts the car.
2) When approaching the roundabout everybody in the car needs to help.
3) The driver should mainly pay attention to the traffic and not try too hard to read the signs in the roundabout. It's better for the tourist to go the wrong way than to hit somebody!
The cars already in the roundabout have the right of way. The cars still approaching the roundabout are supposed to yield to the cars already in the roundabout...usually they do.
4)The passengers in your car should be the navigators. One passenger should be reading the map, while another passenger reads the signs on the roundabout. Designate one person who will call out the correct exit to the driver...otherwise you have 3 back-seat drivers all talking at once and the driver rips out his/her hair...
5) Once we went around a roundabout 6 times because we couldn't figure out which one was our correct exit. We used the inside lane...as indicated, if you aren't taking the first exit, logically you will see you need to be in the inside lane closest to the circle, out of everyone's way.
6) don't forget since you are driving on the left you are going clock-wise around the roundabout.
7) It helps to know which towns are in the direction you are travelling in. Sometimes the signs on the roundabout don't say what you expect them to say!
Enjoy Ireland, dcsam, but I have to say we didnt' enjoy the longer drives...any drive listed on AA Roadwatch as longer than 4 hours is going to be stressful for a tourist unfamiliar with driving in Ireland. In southern California we don't even have traffic circles, plus of course we drive on the right here...But the good news is, we survived!
The best thing is to follow these steps:
1) the driver should study the map before he/she starts the car.
2) When approaching the roundabout everybody in the car needs to help.
3) The driver should mainly pay attention to the traffic and not try too hard to read the signs in the roundabout. It's better for the tourist to go the wrong way than to hit somebody!
The cars already in the roundabout have the right of way. The cars still approaching the roundabout are supposed to yield to the cars already in the roundabout...usually they do.
4)The passengers in your car should be the navigators. One passenger should be reading the map, while another passenger reads the signs on the roundabout. Designate one person who will call out the correct exit to the driver...otherwise you have 3 back-seat drivers all talking at once and the driver rips out his/her hair...
5) Once we went around a roundabout 6 times because we couldn't figure out which one was our correct exit. We used the inside lane...as indicated, if you aren't taking the first exit, logically you will see you need to be in the inside lane closest to the circle, out of everyone's way.
6) don't forget since you are driving on the left you are going clock-wise around the roundabout.
7) It helps to know which towns are in the direction you are travelling in. Sometimes the signs on the roundabout don't say what you expect them to say!
Enjoy Ireland, dcsam, but I have to say we didnt' enjoy the longer drives...any drive listed on AA Roadwatch as longer than 4 hours is going to be stressful for a tourist unfamiliar with driving in Ireland. In southern California we don't even have traffic circles, plus of course we drive on the right here...But the good news is, we survived!
Jul 28th, 2006, 12:13 AM
#17
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 20,923
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
>When approaching the roundabout everybody in the car needs to help<
Sounds like a recipe for an accident if ever I heard one.
>One passenger should be reading the map, while another passenger reads the signs on the roundabout. <
Sorry, back to front. One person should read the map ahead to know the next place you want to get to and any designated road number: and that person should read for the warning signs ahead of a roundabout that outline the main destinations from it, so that they can say "you need the second exit, signposted to X".
Sounds like a recipe for an accident if ever I heard one.
>One passenger should be reading the map, while another passenger reads the signs on the roundabout. <
Sorry, back to front. One person should read the map ahead to know the next place you want to get to and any designated road number: and that person should read for the warning signs ahead of a roundabout that outline the main destinations from it, so that they can say "you need the second exit, signposted to X".
Jul 28th, 2006, 12:40 AM
#18
Join Date: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,708
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
This website should help you to understand a roundabout, just remember to always look right!
http://www.swindonweb.com/life/lifemagi0.htm
Maybe the T-shirts would make a nice gift.
Geordie
http://www.swindonweb.com/life/lifemagi0.htm
Maybe the T-shirts would make a nice gift.
Geordie
Jul 28th, 2006, 03:59 AM
#20
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 74,699
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hi dc,
I go to www.viamichelin.com and www.mappy.com and enter my route.
I then zoom in as far as necessary and follow the route on the map.
This shows all of the roundabouts, right turns, left turns, etc.
I then print out maps of these critical locations.
Thus, as we approach a roundabout, my wife can tell me that we turn off at 10 o'clock, 2 o'clock, etc.
Enjoy your visit.
I go to www.viamichelin.com and www.mappy.com and enter my route.
I then zoom in as far as necessary and follow the route on the map.
This shows all of the roundabouts, right turns, left turns, etc.
I then print out maps of these critical locations.
Thus, as we approach a roundabout, my wife can tell me that we turn off at 10 o'clock, 2 o'clock, etc.
Enjoy your visit.
