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Section 9 - Junctions and Roundabouts

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Section 9.4 - Roundabouts

By law, a driver must enter a roundabout by turning to the left. Treat the roundabout as a junction and give right-of-way to traffic already on it.

Approaching a roundabout

Decide as early as possible which exit you need to take.
Take note of and act on all the information available to you from traffic signs, traffic lights and road markings that direct you into the correct lane.
Remember, "mirror, signal, mirror, manoeuvre" at all stages. First use your mirrors to check for any traffic following behind you and, where necessary, signal your intentions in good time to give other road users appropriate warnings.
Get into the correct lane when it is safe to do so.
Be aware of the speed and position of all traffic around you and adjust your speed to fit in with traffic conditions.

Follow the correct procedure and instructions when approaching and driving on roundabouts.

When you reach the roundabout

Give way to traffic approaching from your right, unless signs, road markings or traffic lights tell you otherwise.
Where traffic lights control the roundabout, you must obey them.
You must obey any road markings on the lanes and/or other instructions to show what lane to use if you intend to take a particular exit from the roundabout.
Pay attention to vehicles already on the roundabout. In particular, be aware of their signals and try to judge where they plan to exit.
Watch out for other users of the road and be aware of any cyclists or motorcyclists on your left or right.
Look forward before moving on to make sure that traffic in front of you on the roundabout has moved off. This means that you will be able to move on to the roundabout without blocking any traffic coming from your right.

On or leaving the roundabout

Unless road signs or road markings indicate otherwise, follow the steps below, when taking the first exit, going straight ahead or taking later exits off a roundabout.

Making a left Turn:

Signal left and approach in the left-hand lane.
Keep to the left on the roundabout and continue signalling left to leave.

Making a Left Turn

Stay in the left-hand lane, indicate "left" as you approach and continue to indicate until you have passed through the roundabout.

Going straight ahead;

Approach in the left-hand lane but do not signal yet.
Signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want.
You may follow the course shown in the illustration by the broken red line in situations where:

the left-hand lane is only for turning left or is blocked or closed, or
when directed by a Garda.

Going Straight Ahead

Stay in the left-hand lane, but do not indicate "left" until you have passed the first exit. Where conditions dictate otherwise, you may follow the course shown by the broken red line.

Taking any later exits;

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.
Check your mirrors, signal left and proceed to your exit when it is safe to do so.
Signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you want to take.

Leaving by a later exit

Stay in the right-hand lane, indicate right on your approach and maintain this signal until you have passed the exit before the one you intend to take. Then change to the "left" turn indicator.

When there are more than three lanes at the entrance to a roundabout, use the most appropriate lane on approach and through it.

Sometimes a roundabout exit with two or more lanes may narrow into one lane over a short distance. Drivers in the lane which is terminated should yield to traffic in the other lane.

Drivers should make themselves aware of the road markings and get into the appropriate lane when safe to do so, remembering to show consideration to other users of the road and in the interest of road safety, yield when necessary.

In all cases watch out for and give plenty of room to:

pedestrians who may be crossing the approach and exit roads,
traffic crossing in front of you on the roundabout, especially vehicles intending to leave by the next exit,
traffic that may be straddling lanes or positioned incorrectly,
motorcyclists,
cyclists and horse riders who may stay in the left-hand lane and signal right if they intend to continue round the roundabout,
long vehicles (including those towing trailers), which might have to take a different course approaching or on the roundabout because of their length. Watch out for their signals.

REMEMBER
Conditions at roundabouts may vary. Exercise caution at all times.

Acknowledgement Road Safety Authority