Reading Roundabouts Finding The Gaps

iBot · 23 Oct 2007 at 17:43

On approach what am I looking for? When do I know that a gap is coming up?

DanTheMan · 23 Oct 2007 at 17:45

When there's no cars there?

--Mike-- · 23 Oct 2007 at 17:46

The bit between two cars I reckon!!

randal · 23 Oct 2007 at 17:48

Cars exiting the roundabout to the exit on your right, clearing your path?

csmager · 23 Oct 2007 at 17:51

randal24 said:
Cars exiting the roundabout to the exit on your right, clearing your path?

Best option. Wait for a car turning down you exit (at the point you're sure they're not coming at you - as they may or may not be indicating, and the indicator may or may not actually be their intention!)

Then just go! Other thing to remember is don't hesitate - if you're going to go, then go.

I'm sure we had a thread on this recently...

-westy- · 23 Oct 2007 at 17:53

Another option, if you have a lorry on your right, just go when they go. If they've got room to get out, you sure as hell have

csmager · 23 Oct 2007 at 17:56

-westy- said:
Another option, if you have a lorry on your right, just go when they go. If they've got room to get out, you sure as hell have

If you're concentrating hard enough, you can do that with cars too. They're going to get hit first!

randal · 23 Oct 2007 at 17:58

Hmm, brave man.

I'd take a bus over a Daewoo Matiz any day of the week, especially on some of the horror roundabouts I have to traverse each day between dual carriageways!

-westy- · 23 Oct 2007 at 18:00

csmager said:
If you're concentrating hard enough, you can do that with cars too. They're going to get hit first!

depends how heavy your right foot is

I always tend to pull away sharpish at roundabouts, make sure i'm into the gap on a busy one.

West · 23 Oct 2007 at 18:02

-westy- said:
Another option, if you have a lorry on your right, just go when they go. If they've got room to get out, you sure as hell have

But be sure he is going to go, and not gonna stop. If he stops and you get T-Boned you get the blow on the insurance, a car nearlly learned that lesson a few weeks ago with me... idiot.

I always assess R/A's in pretty much the same routine, approach and shift down to third/second always looking left and ahead, if its clear or a car is coming down my lane and theres no one on the inside if im going right or going straight on, off you go.

My dad always taught me to asses as you approach.

iBot · 23 Oct 2007 at 18:12

so just wait till a car is turning indicating to turn in where I am? No other way? Unless its empty?

Tom|Nbk · 23 Oct 2007 at 18:12

LOL @ this thread..noob.

Have you past your test if so Im pretty worried your asking such a question.

Generally you shouldn't even need to think about it, as you approach you should quickly subconsciously asses the surroundings and judge whether your stopping or going.

If you stop you want to look out for the cars that are going straight on (if your going right) and then pull out as they block the other oncoming cars this would also apply to turning left.

West · 23 Oct 2007 at 18:19

Yeh, as Tom said, its a Subconscious thing, you just learn to do it.

PardonTheWait · 23 Oct 2007 at 19:20

iBot said:
so just wait till a car is turning indicating to turn in where I am? No other way? Unless its empty?

Imagine you're looking right, towards the exit before you. Those guys can't come onto the roundabout if someone is in their path - so as soon as you see someone and you know they're exiting at your exit, you can go as soon as they block the exit before you (to your right) - you just need to be sure they're not going to continue around the roundabout and **** you.

Freefaller · 23 Oct 2007 at 19:33

Close your eyes, get the revs up, drop the clutch, pray.

West · 23 Oct 2007 at 19:38

Freefaller said:
Close your eyes, get the revs up, drop the clutch, pray.

Or that.

Freefaller · 23 Oct 2007 at 19:46

It's the only thing that works in London....

Mark A · 23 Oct 2007 at 19:49

Some good advice i got from here when i was learning to drive was to go and find a large roundabout and watch the traffic.

JIM_BOB7813 · 23 Oct 2007 at 19:53

West said:
But be sure he is going to go, and not gonna stop. If he stops and you get T-Boned you get the blow on the insurance, a car nearlly learned that lesson a few weeks ago with me... idiot.

quoted for truth!
I never like doing that, you are just relying on the lorry/coach, and you need to be ready to stop if he hesitates (you can't always see what's coming either).

West · 23 Oct 2007 at 20:01

JIM_BOB7813 said:
quoted for truth!
I never like doing that, you are just relying on the lorry/coach, and you need to be ready to stop if he hesitates (you can't always see what's coming either).

I always let him pull out all the way onto the R/A before I even move.

An idiot a few weeks ago pulled straight out on me I was about 1ft from being part of he's rear, I should have just carried on rather than brake to teach him a lesson