Roundabout Emerging | Slow Before Decision Point

[@JohnR31415]

But *always* keep an eye forward as well as looking to the right.

[@davem9204]

So true. I think its one of most common shunts I've seen on dashcam videos, and I've seen in real life too; where the driver is focused on what's coming around the roundabout and doesn't spot the car in front has stopped (they probably weren't looking at the roundabout in advance).

[@ashley_neal]

The technique that I explain in this video creates more time for you to do your forward observations also. When people arrive in too fast and too late, they just concentrate on their perceived biggest danger which is the vehicles from the right.

[@Co074K4t5]

When I was doing my part 2 instructor training some years ago they would say "Don't stare, keep scanning!" Which I continued on to my pupils and continue to this day. The amount of people I see pull up to junctions and just stare in one direction or stop at roundabouts and then look is unbelievable.

[@JohnR31415]

It’s not just danger to the motorist, other road users have priorities that need to be respected as well. Scan don’t stare. That’s a decent mantra.

[@haveabossday]

One of the joys of being cross eyed

[@NicholasFerrar]

I have been driving over 40 years and I'm still learning. Thanks Ashley.

[@ibs5080]

Re around 3:56 and "Not sure" in terms of the intentions of another vehicle. There are also situations of "Not sure but in this case it doesn't matter because they are far enough away that I can emerge safely anyway". Whenever that happens, out of curiosity I may glance in my mirror just to see for general interest where that "Not sure" vehicle went. But as long as they were far enough away, it didn't actually matter in terms of decision to emerge safely.

[@nigelharper7996]

"Slow is smooth and smooth is fast" is the saying that comes to mind here (and with a lot of your teaching to be fair).

[@clivewilliams3661]

Soon after my elder daughter passed her test we drove down to Oxford via A43, which has numerous roundabouts on the dual carriageway. She would barrel up to the roundabout brake heavily, coming to a stop before deciding to enter the roundabout, irrespective of whether there was other traffic coming round. This was all because throughout her tuition she had only experienced heavily used roundabouts where she expected to stop. She had never been told to moderate her speed to take best advantage of flow . Fortunately, by the time we joined the M40 she was quite proficient at merging in with the flow. It also taught her to be much more observant of the traffic around her so that she could know what everyone else was doing and take the opportunities that presented themselves..

[@InBodWeTrust]

Great advice ... and begs the question - why do junction architects often fit road furniture etc. that completely blocks your view of what's actually happening *ON* the roundabout? 🤦‍♂ (The approach to Broxden Junction on the M90 is a classic example; you can't see anything until you're almost at the give way line).

[@NinjahDuk]

Maybe it's designed to force people to slow down. And some people don't care because they don't plan properly.

[@studisco2327]

They do it in an attempt to force people to slow, its deliberate and if people all observed properly it would work - unfortunately, the majority of people don't observe properly and barrel into a situation that they haven't assessed.

[@InBodWeTrust]

@@NinjahDuk that's exactly why they do it - to cater for the lowest skilled drivers, the ones who probably shouldn't even be driving.

[@davem9204]

@@InBodWeTrust I think that's what a lot of road policy is about these days. it is to make terrible drivers feel more confident, rather than getting them to improve or off the road. I do wonder whether these policy makers fall into this set of terrible drivers who can't look where they are going?

[@5688gamble]

​@studisco2327 there's a roundabout near me that I used to have to walk around a lot, it was HEAVILY planted. There was a slip road onto the M8 you had to cross and you could not see, even if you craned your neck. It was large with a gentle curve, so people were often going fast and if it were a quieter EV or particularly bad speeder, you were dead, unless you walked around the long way and took 5 minutes longer, it was a horrible place to be a pedestrian!

[@kdmq]

It's interesting how much you can asses the environment around you solely based on the speed and steering of other vehicles. At 5:29 you see Ash committing to the roundabout just because the other car braked substantially. They were moving slow enough where, even if they had been a lost tourist and suddenly decided to turn right, they would have been too slow to pose any problems for Ash or themselves. Truly an amazing level of skill you have accumulated over the years Ashley!

[@emmajacobs5575]

I’m glad you showed some examples with reduced visibility approaching some roundabouts. There’s one on the A61 between Sheffield and Chesterfield where the approach has had barriers installed to deliberately block the sight lines, presumably to make people think more about arriving at the roundabout too quickly, but possibly at the expense of best flow.

[@GlassSpider]

This is so much better than watching folks speed towards a roundabout and slam the breaks on. It makes people on the roundabout hesitate thinking that they're just going to pull out. This is much better for communication and therefore flow

[@broshmosh]

This only really catches me out at mini roundabouts when I've gone slow enough to determine it's safe for me to enter, but a vehicle entering from the opposite side at the same time decides to floor it and drive over the roundabout instead of around... Otherwise I've never had an issue, and only really have to stop at roundabouts when they're busy, or when they service roads which are faster in two of the four directions.

[@davem9204]

I've certainly do a similar thing when approaching roundabouts by adjusting my speed so I can merge into a gap without having to stop. So much easier to find a suitable gap when you've got a bit of speed to get into it; rather than doing it from a standstill. it just makes everything flow so much better. Unfortunately some roundabouts seem to have quite a lot of clutter, such as barriers, that block the view of what's coming around the roundabout when you approach it. I get the impression many road planners don't think of sightlines when designing junctions.

[@Batters56]

Or it’s deliberately blocking site lines and forcing a you to come almost to a stop every time.

[@R04drunner1]

​@@Batters56exactly!

[@laceandwhisky]

Its all about planning your drive / ride. Timing is everything 😊

[@SteveBrace]

Arriving at the same point at the same time is called CBDR (Constant Bearing Decreasing Range) An old pilot's trick was to put a thumbprint on the windscreen over the other aircraft (or ship if you're a mariner) and if it stays on that mark, you're going to collide... Impractical in a car of course!

[@rustydusty2992]

@SteveBrace If you don't mind I'll use that when explaining to some A pillar problems as well as this videos subject, havent heard this before and can't recall this either being in Roadcraft or IAMRoadsmart material so I take it that it's just from a pilots perspective (CBDR)

[@SteveBrace]

@@rustydusty2992 Of course. There's a good explanation on Wikipedia (search for CBDR Navy), but I learned it as a student pilot.

[@SteveBrace]

@@rustydusty2992 My previous reply disappeared. Dunno why... I'll re-phrase: Look up Constant Bearing, Decreasing Range on the most popular online encyclopedia! It's something I learned as a student pilot.

[@derekheeps1244]

@@rustydusty2992 it is well known and taught to fighter pilots . That , and saccades , are brought up in discussion at police college even if not currently in Roadcraft ; it is a known thing , especially re motorcyclists , who are most at risk .

[@rustydusty2992]

@@derekheeps1244 Thanks for the reply and yes saccades I leant about in a biker down course a few years back before I passed the IAMRoadsmart advanced driver test.

[@ibs5080]

Your video is a good reminder for me to work on and develop the skill of looking and analysing traffic on a roundabout as I'm approaching it. As opposed to arriving and then looking. Also, part of good observation on the approach is not only to analyse the traffic to my right but also what's approaching on the next entry road to my left, because any such vehicle could emerge across my path whilst I myself negotiate the roundabout.

[@R04drunner1]

Exactly. Well said.

[@ibs5080]

@@R04drunner1 Hello Michael. Coming from an Advanced motorist, I consider that to be a very worthy compliment. Thank You.

[@jpldriver]

What you say is very basic elementary driving!

[@KrisRogos]

In one of your earlier videos on roundabouts, you mentioned looking at the gap, not at the traffic. Honestly, this was one of the best pieces of advice I've heard regarding driving. I find it much less stressful to do any kind of emerges and feel like I flow better in traffic. Thank you.

[@Manu-Official]

I bought a VIOFO dashcam because of this channel. Difference is night and day.

[@ashley_neal]

Thanks for your support!

[@radishpea6615]

what are you comparing the VIFO to?

[@keithvather]

It's road markings that catch me out. Like splitting into 3 lanes from 2 just before the roundabout or a suddenly the left side of the road becomes a left turn when i want to go straight ahead. In both cases the road signs give no warning.

[@RogeyRD250DX]

Good one that. Just what gets me...

[@derekheeps1244]

Indeed , especially if you’ve been following straight ahead lane markings , which are only revealed after the car ahead crosses them , and they suddenly become left turn only just before the junction . However , unless the lanes are separated by solid lines , the lane markings are only advisory , so if you get caught out with this , just proceed with caution , remembering that locals mostly won’t anticipate someone not familiar with the layout to not know the junction .

[@RicardoPetrazzi]

how very prescient! I was practicing this all day in the area of my deliveries as there were loads of roundabouts!

[@FAB12UCB]

As a PDI this something I have had to correct in 90% of my pupils. Not even just for roundabouts but lights too. They dont look ahead at all, they just speed up to the red light or stopped cars in traffic, and yes, do not look at the roundabout until they are at the line, and many of them go up braking with the clutch down so when they do see a gap, they are not able to go because they dont have the skill to confidently bring the clutch up which leads to hesitation. So whenever I get new pupils with a lot of experience already, this is one of the first things I look at, and it makes their whole drive better.

[@smilerbob]

A great video that follows on nicely from the closed vs open junctions (fully aware roundabouts are junctions) and how to approach them. This can also be applied to all aspects of driving… Parked cars on your side of the road and vehicles approaching…slow down enough to pass in a suitable gap. Coming up to a right turn…slow down and flow into a gap in traffic. With tge exception of some traffic lights and heavy traffic for roadworks, it is very rare these days if my vehicle is actually stationary. I am usually rolling and moving to some degree and it helps things flow so much better for everyone

[@DaveHines1]

I find myself doing this more and more on my motorbike , as it saves having to stop and put a foot down most of the time 😃

[@frank1847]

I found this video helpful because I was doing exactly this, not looking properly as I approached the island.

[@jpldriver]

Poor driver then,it's bleeding obvious

[@frank1847]

@@jpldriver Wish I was as good a driver as you must be. "It's bleeding obvious, because you blow your own trumpet so loud" Empty vessels make the most noise.😂 jpl =Just a Pretty Lousy driver 😂 Let's hear that trumpet, blow hard!😂

[@williamfence566]

Ridiculous if you don't race up to a roundabout and then stop. When are you supposed to check your phone

[@MartinParnham]

🤣👏👏👏

[@smilerbob]

You check your phone before the roundabout and as you enter 👍😜

[@RicardoPetrazzi]

🤣🤣

[@RogeyRD250DX]

Question mark.😮

[@DavidWhatfor]

😄😄🤪

[@1988dgs]

It’s the “conservation of momentum” style of driving, avoiding stopping where possible, makes motorbike riding so much smoother. People not indicating properly is one of my pet hates

[@SiCrewe]

Caution is always useful but, conversely, it always amazes me how many people come to a stop at an obviously deserted roundabout and THEN assess whether they should proceed. I dread to think how those people would deal with a situation, while driving, that DID require real anticipation and adaptability.

[@BanjoPixelSnack]

Yes. Years ago when I was a much younger and more blasé driver I rear ended the car in front of me because they slammed on the brakes at a completely deserted roundabout. I absolutely was to blame as I was obviously too close (and old car, no ABS). But I had already assessed there were no other vehicles in sight and I assumed he'd just carry on into the roundabout. Luckily there was no damage to his car and nobody was hurt. First thing the guy said to me as I walked up to his window was "This keeps happening to me!"

[@KXXULADavidOC]

this is some really good advice, I'm pretty sure this is something I do mostly now without even thinking its just normal, there is one roundabout near me though that you always have to stop at because its so busy and people often block up the yellow boxes on it, its not really the best designed roundabout

[@WayneTulip-zm9gw]

Great video Ashley mate, you’ve made a few good points, so many people just fly down the road at the speed limit, stop at the giveway line and then start to look to the right, that’s just poor driving and poor planning, like you said you need to check your mirrors and adjust your speed on the approach to the roundabout, slowing down nice and early and looking to the right nice and early to access how the traffic is flowing, as you say ensuring you don’t arrive at the same time and at the same point as someone else and then finding a suitable gap to enter the roundabout, recently I had a block of 5 hours of driving lessons with a driving instructor because I’ve only ever driven in my small local town and I wanted to have the confidence to drive to places outside of my local area and this is something that she picked up on, she said overall I’m a brilliant driver but of course after driving alone without a driving instructor for so many years I’ve picked up a few bad habits and she corrected me on them and I’m so grateful and so thankful for that, she mentioned this to me, she said on the approach to a roundabout check your mirrors and ease off of the accelerator nice and early and keep on looking to the right and ahead and find a nice suitable gap to enter the roundabout, also, I’ve noticed online that there seems to be a debate on roundabouts and signalling, my driving instructor said to me that if the exit is past 12 o’clock, even if it’s straight on, treat it like a right turn and I totally agree with her, you can have a merging of paths, you just can’t have a crossing of paths, if there are 2 lanes on the approach and only 1 lane across the other side you can still use both lanes to go ahead, you just merge in turn on the exit, no problem at all, as long as you’re doing effective mirror checks and as long as you’re aware of your surroundings then merging in turn is absolutely fine, you might not know the area, you might not have a sat nav, you might not know if it’s a straight on or a right turn.

[@richardhewitt.easyvanlife.6957]

Yes I fully agree. When I was a young tear away I never did this, I passed my test in a brand new Austin 1300 gt. so it’s been a few years. Then I had a Triumph 2.5 injection very fast.

[@spikyone79]

Good video @ashley_neal. I see a lot of people that end up slowing too much and giving way to fresh air because they haven't looked to the right at all until they're almost at the roundabout. They brake because it's a junction, and only then do they realise there are no vehicles anywhere near the roundabout. It's poor observation in general, and this video is a great reminder to not only observe early but also use the information you get from that observation. The really interesting thing is that this is different from the likes of IAM Roadsmart, who teach IPSGA - information first and then speed. In your examples, quite rightly, you're taking the information on the roundabout (sight lines etc) using it to adjust your speed, and then looking for more information. Yours is a much better approach that promotes your oft-repeated mantra of "best flow", and is very well explained here.

[@Tony_P567]

I learned to drive in Milton Keynes - a city known for having a few roundabouts. One of the first lessons was how to enter a roundabout and time your arrival to be able to drive straight on. It puts much less stress on your car, is smoother for passengers and you can often slip into a smaller gap in the traffic if you haven't come to a complete stop first, so it's better for overall traffic flow. I often find it frustrating how so many drivers don't have this skill and don't look at what's coming from the right until they are almost at the give-way lines. Even in MK, when I travel back to the area, this seems to be a dying art.

[@tubularcandy812]

I am from The Netherlands but visit the UK regularly. First thing I did was study the rules on UK roundabouts. I try to always use my signals and strictly follow lane discipline. (Left lane for going straight ahead, unless road markings say otherwise). To make myself as predictable as possible. Also I never want someone next to me to avoid the chance of a crash. These videos help to improve my UK driving😁

[@mikee9765]

Many dual-carriageway roundabouts today have solid, high fences on central reservations preventing the very technique demonstrated here.

[@R04drunner1]

Exactly. The designers think it improves safety by forcing drivers to slow down until their visibility improves. It helps if you can look past the barrier before coming to it. That at least gives you an idea about what you might have to allow for. But you always have to allow for the unexpected until you can confirm the way is clear. Classic case of road designers having to allow for average drivers and thus making life difficult for those who actually observe and think properly.

[@peterwalker417]

Interesting video Ashley, it is amazing how many times, when on a roundabout and watching for emergency vehicles needing to be given priority, I notice cars drive right up to the roundabout, stop and only at that point does the driver decide to look to their right to check the roundabout for traffic. Numerous times I have thought if the other driver had just checked earlier there would have been the opportunity for them to keep going and enter the roundabout in front of me with zero problems to me or any other traffic. One other point, nice to see all the example roundabouts with clear visibility on approach. There are some where barriers or bushes (or even grass let grow long) are deliberately erected on the approach to force a stop at the roundabout. Yes this may be a safety feature in stopping traffic before entering the roundabout but it also means drivers on the roundabout are unable to see traffic approaching the roundabout other than a bonnet poking round the end of the 'obstruction'.

[@iansouch]

I’ve been riding/driving for 47 years 😮 & it’s something I’ve never consciously thought about but I will next time I’m out. Thanks

[@jpldriver]

Blimey. You must be a dim driver!

[@cyclecam6328]

You're right that the number of things one can look for is more than just a signal for the decision point. The closer the 'same place same time' point might be the more cues needed to match up before you go. Far away: just a signal might be fine Middle distance: signal and a speed/position change Near: signal, speed, eye contact and wheel direction all needed. When you're used to looking for these, it's amazing how quickly you can observe them all and spot the red herring that could otherwise have caught you out.

[@deuxchapeau2999]

Ashley, you briefly touched on a topic that annoys me greatly that being drivers who do not use their indicators. Traffic islands are a very good example of this, especially mini roundabouts. There is nothing worse than waiting at a mini roundabout for a car coming from your right that turns left into the junction you are merging out of with no indication. Yes I realise how tiring operating the indicator stalk is but it needs to be looked on as essential to driving a car, please help to educate people. Perhaps it's me thats wrong, I even indicate on motorways and dual carriageways when moving left into the slower lane.

[@ashley_neal]

People are terrible at signalling because they don't think about who they are signalling for and who it helps. Here's a question for you, when you do move back to the left into the slower lane who does your signal help?

[@bofor3948]

@@ashley_neal The obvious answer is any one gaining from behind that is debating whether to move out to the third or 4th lane to overtake you. If there is nobody there then I dont always bother to indicate and never if an exit is coming up that I do not want to use. Although I try to avoid moving in near exits slips or on slips.

[@CrispsBoy]

​@ashley_neal - I would say that if there are any vehicles travelling behind, then they'll benefit from the signal regardless of how close they are. I was always taught to only signal if someone is going to benefit from it.

[@jameskole3584]

If you are driving a German car, do it after every overtake just to prove you know you are allowed to use indicators :)

[@jameskole3584]

I think if you are overtaking a car there is always the possibility they might want to accelerate and undertake you after your overtake. Even if there is no one behind, indicating makes it clear what your intentions so they know they shouldn't attempt to accelerate and undertake you. Doesn't mean they definitely won't (I know from experience) but from my experience in most cases if someone is going accelerate, they wait for me to move to the left and overtake after. With a significantly slow moving vehicle on an empty road, perhaps there isn't any benefit in indicating after an overtake

[@Vikface1978]

Trouble is, the people who SHOULD watch these videos, they DON’T!

[@jonny9071]

Ah but you can send them a link 😅 I certainly know a few people with whom I am a terrible passenger 😊

[@grahamnutt8958]

Keeping momentum will also help to save a bit of ⛽.

[@brantnuttall]

I think I do it properly when I'm driving but am not aware that I do. But I certainly do it properly when I'm cycling, which is most of the time.

[@davem9204]

Yes, I do it when cycling too as I want to maintain momentum and get close to the speed of the traffic on the roundabout. If I have to stop it becomes very difficult to join the roundabout safely from a standing start.

[@ibs5080]

I know this video is specifically for roundabouts but as far as regular Give Way junctions such as T junctions are concerned, I find myself almost stopping completely before emerging. I thought about this and put a large part of this down to my many years of driving in Canada and the USA, where such junctions, or "intersection" as they're called over there, are virtually always governed by Stop signs and a Stop line. I've been so conditioned to stopping and then looking over there and to this day, it looks "odd" to see a vehicle in the UK come out of a side street without stopping, at what I would describe as a "rolling 2nd gear speed". Different rules and customs for different countries.

[@ashley_neal]

This works for many situations, including meeting traffic also.

[@ibs5080]

@@ashley_neal Yes that's so very true Ash. This whole approach of early observation and regulating speed early to keep moving is something I try to practice in many other situations.

[@davidrumming4734]

You’re right, most people do not plan at all and come up to the line and STOP. …it happens at junctions as well. The cars on side roads approach their give way line so fast + late it looks as if they are about to pull straight out in front of you on the main road….happened to me today. I stopped in plenty of time…the driver emerging from the very tight side road didn’t stop until she was part out into the main road & saw me…..this seems to be a new pattern recently. When you approach and plan the junction properly, ready to “walk”, “jog” or stop, it is likely you’ll notice cars behind come right up behind quickly as they aren’t expecting the person in front to slow in advance.

[@smilerbob]

I recently did exactly the same as at 4:05 as I wasn’t sure which way the vehicle approaching from the right was going. I got a nice (un)friendly toot from the taxi driver behind

[@broadsword6650]

It's the difference between being "fast" and being "quick". Outright top speed isn't the objective, but rather a constant, comfortable and safe style that reduces overall journey time, reduces stress, reduces danger.

[@Paws4thot]

All makes sense; I can consistently get through "Doughnut City, Scotland" (aka East Kilbride) faster and more economically than my sister by aiming for gaps in traffic on the roundabouts.

[@thomaselliot2257]

A few years ago, i approached the mini roundabout going out of my scheme and the car approaching from the right, which was at the top of a brae, was signalling to his left, which was on the road i was on. I moved off slowly, keeping an eye on the car, which proceeded to go straight on. Fortunately, because of my speed, i was able to brake in time. I did get a stare. 🤨

[@ashley_neal]

Most people would have just gone seeing the signal! Top class Thomas!!

[@shm5547]

It's also worth considering emerging from the viewpoint of vehicles already on the roundabout. The situation is very similar to slip roads onto motorways; in that the marked entry line is not a strict 'give way', but only an advisory one. In that respect, vehicles on the roundabout should be driven in a manner that facilitates others to merge safely ahead of them. Keeping a constant, low, speed around the circular carriageway helps; avoiding accelerating once on the roundabout. Not tailgating the vehicle in front helps a lot too.

[@Umski]

I think this type of forward thinking is too hard to comprehend for some road users - I often see it as a pedestrian (and driver) where drivers will be looking straight ahead for the stop point before even looking up and to the right to see if there's anything coming - it's mind boggling how much the process of just doing the driving bit is a brain process too far 🤯

[@georgecromar4094]

Good technique!👍

[@j2w1_lub]

0:13 the army of cars in the right lane in the rear camera 😅

[@DGQ1Q2]

superb, excellent that is the way to do it.

[@christopherbell5817]

There was the old joke Jimmy Tarbuck used to tell, about him being chased around Kirby by a police car. When they finally stopped him, the officer asks him why he didn't pull over, to which Jimmy replied, 'my wife ran off with a traffic cop, I thought you was him bringing her back'.

[@nataliedebiase5089]

Really helpful video as this is something I do still struggle with... If possible could you do a little more on mini roundabouts and in particular making your decision about traffic coming in the opposite direction eg being sure they are coming across and not going to turn right across your path.😊

[@RicardoPetrazzi]

In heavy traffic I try stay in staggered formation on approach and in the queue to the roundabout where they are multi-lane, but all-to-often a high-sided or larger SUV on my right tends to try close the gap and obstruct the view, obviously not appreciating I am trying to maintain line-of-sight all the way to the giveway line. The constant 'nudge-forewarders' closing thoise gaps are 'the enemy of best flow'.

[@derekheeps1244]

Getting an HGV or PSV on your right really isn’t a problem at all . As long as the lorry/bus/van keeps going , so do you , because if there is anything coming around the roundabout , they will HIT THE LORRY/BUS/VAN and not you !

[@RicardoPetrazzi]

@@derekheeps1244 can sometimers be a good strategy - but has its limitations 👍👍

[@Dudleymiddleton]

Read the roundabout on approach and look for the blocker! Be aware of those who indicate left when going right round a roundabout!

[@johnmoss7227]

In Coventry the council seem to think that blocking our vision on the approach is a good way to force people to slow down, as we cannot see what is on the island. Maybe it is so we don't keep a high speed going because we can see when it is clear?

[@derekheeps1244]

Backward thinking on their part : very poor road design

[@DavidWhatfor]

It is a lot easier to get into a gap on the roundabout if you are already rolling. Practicing this technique also saves fuel, less stress on the vehicle and more comfy for passengers rather than barrelling up to a round about slamming on the brakes and then having to accelerate hard to fit in a gap.

[@JurivonStolzenberg14]

We would not need any ULEZ zones or EV s for congestion and emissions if people would drive as smoothly and with forward planning as you demonstrated. What gets me , is that big heavy SUVs sometimes make the silliest stop- start maneuvers on junctions or roundabouts instead of smoothly flowing through- even though people buy them to SEE BEYTER OVER THE BONNET. More like a driving baby seat.😅

[@shm5547]

In queuing traffic, drivers should also be looking in their mirrors for filtering cyclists/motorcyclists, especially near the point they wish to emerge onto the roundabout carriageway.

[@R04drunner1]

Definitely worth getting into the habit of doing that quick side mirror check before moving off in heavy traffic, to avoid getting caught by that very scenario.

[@frankhooper7871]

I find buses among the worst at signalling; the number of times I see a but stopped at a traffic light, the head of the queue, with no signal on - then when the light turns green, they start moving and put their turn signal on.

[@chrisl1797]

On my commute to work there is a roundabout at the bottom of a hill, after a climb up a previous hill that starts from a merge in turn two into one traffic light junction roundabout. Most people drive like numpties into the merge (I will slam the door on real numpties). In front of me I see a gaggle of tailgating numpties drive up the hill and down the other side, only to have to queue at the roundabout as they are all bunched up. Me.... I trundle up creating a massive 10 second gap and by the time I get there the last car is clearing and I have loads of time to saunter through at my own pace. The numpties that were tailgating me up the hill are still half way down the other side as I droppd the first one with the 10 second gap I made..... It really is that simple.

[@frank1847]

Ashley, wish you would do a video on navigating the Clatterbriidge island, it's a nightmare!

[@TheCatBilbo]

There's this odd trend for approaching a roundabout at speed & just pulling out, unless they have to slam on the brakes. Sometimes, drivers don't even look right - how can they not?! What about self-preservation? Bizarre. Others insist on pulling out as traffic approaches them, just not giving priority. I patiently wait whilst others zoom out past me, it's dangerous.

[@PedroConejo1939]

You seem to be blessed with roundabouts that don't have shrubberies that completely obscure traffic coming round, while being big enough for drivers to whip round and then throw a tantrum at the person who could not possibly have seen them in time to not commit. We have a series of three such islands here on the A35. They are the scenes of weekly collisions.

[@smilerbob]

We had a lovely clear roundabout when I lived further South, you could see all approaches and everyone knew exactly what was going on. Then one set of roadworks later that were “junction improvements” we too were blessed with shrubbery in the middle island on all entrances and exits along with nice big signage asking if anyone “would like to sponsor this roundabout and advertise here” For the first few months thefe was more horn use on that roundabout in one morning than the entire road network of London for a week 😁 Forgot to add that the signage was removed shortly followed by the shrubbery on the islands. They now have flowers in the middle and it is back to normal…or at least it was when I left

[@andrewgilbertson5356]

Thank you

[@yggdrasil7942]

Try the roundabout in Ely in Cambridgeshire. People fly round there without a care in the world.

[@studisco2327]

Assessing the roundabout/junction as a whole and making your way through at best possible speed is no different to judging an emerge really. If you can assess closing speeds, you can fit in the gaps. The problem with people who can't do this is the same as those who cause most issues on the road, failure to observe and lack of patience. Spotting these people is easy, because they rush to the line/light (because thats the only reference point that they're using) and then stop and look or they simply don't slow down at all and then panic brake at the last minute when someone else is there, rather than looking at the earliest possible point (and using the limit points to judge your approach speed) and then proceeding if possible. This is one of the basic skills that constantly amazes me when people just can't do it. The aim is to negotiate the situation as a whole as swiftly as is safely possible, and then get on with your day, and not just to arrive at it quickly and then deal with it. The only way to deal with the situation as a whole is to assess all of it. Great video, well presented, I really like these little teaching videos - skills that every road user needs, and far too few posess.

[@Batters56]

I got beeped from behind the other day for holding back for a lorry emerging from the same road as me. Sure enough I would’ve been pinched on the inside if I’d have gone there.

[@shm5547]

Cyclists are the experts at this. Adjusting speed early so you can flow onto the roundabout into a suitable gap (whilst keeping the maximum amount of momentum as possible) is key to safely negotiating roundabouts. The last thing you want to do is stop and put a foot down, especially as a lot of drivers only look to their right. That can put you at high risk of being rear-ended.

[@ashley_neal]

It's the same percentage as motorists. There are good road users and there are poor ones.

[@kenbrown2808]

5:28; here is my argument on indicating (correctly) whether you think anyone needs to know or not. would his indicator have been of benefit to you if used correctly? and did he know you were going to be there before this point?

[@derekheeps1244]

The biggest problem with this is the tendency in recent years for road designers to deliberately obstruct the views across roundabouts such that you can’t see traffic coming in and plan ahead accordingly. This forces everyone to slow almost to a stop because there is no view until you are almost at the give way line and it is so counter productive, completely ruining any chances of smooth traffic flow .

[@QuentinStephens]

I remember being taught to do much the same with traffic lights. Was there an issue with the signals on the bus at 3:40 or is it the camera? It's lights looked very dim. Can you indulge my curiosity: are there driving examiners who examine at night? Someone working a night shift isn't going to be at their best during the day.

[@Wolfy11188]

Honestly having the ability to abandon a manoeuvre like the Audi did is something that a lot of people don't seem to be capable of doing. Every time I've seen that happen people either barge their way in or stop traffic completely until they're given the space to move over.

[@nathanyoung3952]

Great video

[@ashley_neal]

Thanks for the visit

[@nathanyoung3952]

@@ashley_neal brilliant content as always, I find it all very useful.

[@ashley_neal]

And your support over the years hasn't gone unnoticed.

[@juddy_1997]

4:50 only a coupe of weeks ago i had a situation exactly like this though the driver of the Vauxhall in the video decided last minute he was going to u turn instead of straight on. He had no signal and was moving quite fast so I kept moving only for him to turn sharply last moment forcing me to slam my brakes. Definitely a mistake on his part though i may hold back a little more in future.

[@marklittler784]

So take it easy and you'll integrate with others a lot easier.

[@balfit]

I agree not trusting the signals. Some people tend to signal _exactly_ the opposite of what they should. That is, signalling left when they stay in and then signalling right when they leave. The reason is anyone's guess...

[@ChrisisisB]

5:50 In my country new roundabouts have a large builtup center so you often cannot see the other entry points. I think the intention is that you should stop. Personally I find it st-id. I try to plan my driving, but this totally wrecks that.

[@Richard_Barnes]

Far too many people arrive and then start looking so they just stop. They can't seem to look further than their nose or the phone, whichever is larger! 😆

[@hardillb]

Given this, what are your thoughts on roundabouts that have street furniture placed to deliberately obscure this sort of observation on approach. A number of roundabouts near me have large left pointing chevrons that block all view to the right removing this as an option and forcing all to come to a near complete stop

[@Tailspin80]

All basic stuff when you’ve been driving for a few years, or decades… The sad thing is at 1:55 if one of the cars coming on to the roundabout had kept going and we had been a bike Ashley would have said we had contributed to the accident by not slowing down. This was the scenario in one of his most recent cycling clips where a Juke took a cyclist out.

[@tonybarton3746]

Hello Ashley I’ve been riding motorbikes 53 years , I’ve studied the Highway Code and can’t find a answer. What is the speed limit on roundabouts ?

[@derekmulready1523]

Logical thinking would dictate the speed that the road conditions allow. 🇮🇪🇪🇺

[@ashley_neal]

If there are no signs at the entrance to the roundabout, the speed limit is the same as the road you entered from.

[@tonybarton3746]

Reference keeping the speed of the approaching road to the roundabout, I’ve seen people trying to take roundabouts at 60 mph , just doesn’t work , that’s why they plough through the central reservation. Shouldn’t all roundabouts have a speed limit to keep the flow safely 😊👍

[@studisco2327]

@@tonybarton3746 Speed limit is a speed limit, not a requirement. While we all know that you should be at or close to the speed limit if conditions allow for best flow, I can't think of any roundabout thats safe to negotiate at 70mph (which is the speed limit on most roundabouts on dual carriageways). There will always be an idiot who doesn't spot the roundabout until way too late and can't slow down enough, though, which is why decent drivers assess properly before entering.

[@ibs5080]

@@tonybarton3746 I still remember the viewer who sent in a video of them getting hit by a coach that was negotiating a roundabout at high speed and straight lining it. I also recall the squeals of desperation from the viewers dog. I can't quite recall but I do hope they were ok. I do remember that the coach company alleged their dash cam wasn't working at the time. Of course I have no way of knowing how accurate that claim was. Either way, that video was a stark reminder to slow down when negotiating roundabouts, both from the point of view of the vehicle on the right as well as left, especially when view is restricted.

[@KendalSmithy]

If we hold back before we get to a roundabout are we likely to annoy the drivers behind?

[@smilerbob]

If you approach too quickly and miss an emerge point you are likely to annoy the same driver behind as they are only annoyed st being behind someone Never let those behind intimidate or bully you into anything you are not comfortable with and a phrase we always say…”It is a them problem”

[@MartinParnham]

Basically, don't zoom about everywhere.

[@GMBasix]

I’ve all but given up looking for indicators: >>> False positives - indicator left on; or turning/pulling in after my junction >>> False negatives - not used; not working; Don’t consider non-cars worth signalling to; BMW >>>Poor design: modern car designs seem almost intended to camouflage the indicator’s location and/or to mask its operation because it doesn’t stand out from other lights or reflected sunlight. Always look for the behaviour, the environment and spider senses.

[@davidrumming4734]

O yes this is mine….i live in Wiltshire where roundabouts are everywhere. People don’t indicate…gripe 1. How do the rest of us know where you are going? At one of the major mini roundabouts on the A4….limited visibility leaving the junction…fast traffic approaching from the A4 on the right. They could turn left and turn into the road I’m leaving or they could go across in front of me into town….how many people to my right indicate they are turning in? About 1 in 3. It’s a single lane too so you can’t just assume & pull out. Today one of them wait til they started to turn before indicating….. Likewise on other busy mini roundabouts, almost nobody indicates to leave a roundabout….the people going in the opposite direction don’t know if they need to wait or not….half the drivers don’t even bother checking to their right when approaching the roundabout or even when entering the roundabout. It’s so unusual now, that some weeks ago in Swindon…at a busy mini roundabout the driver going the opposite way thanked me for indicating left….so he could go.

[@Th3WileyFox]

I still wait sometimes as the speed of the vechile on the right indicates they have either forgot to indicate or have left the indicator on BMW , that mini rounabout at te end was a prime example you were relying on the other car indicating left and going left i would have waited .

[@ibs5080]

I often find that as I approach a roundabout, a vehicle in the next lane seems determined to catch up with me in order to try and negotiate the roundabout side by side with me. I never understand why some drivers want to do this.

[@bofor3948]

It's all about forward planning. Unlike the driver of that delivery van at 4:36, backing out from the wrong side of the right turn onto the wrong side of the road you were on and causing all the vehicles to stop. Did he turn in without checking his way was clear or had he made his delivery and just wanted to back out instead of moving on forwards?

[@chrisl1797]

That is pretty bad that. I drive a similar sized van and know from experience he will be able to see diddly squat right behind him. Now what I do is reverse and turn. That way my mirrors sweep what is behind me so I have a better chance of seeing something amiss. Also vans like that need reversing VERY slowly so if one did unfortunately bump something the impact is a little as possible.

[@trevornelmes9331]

Slowing down more than a normal driver would (who would not merge smoothly as you do), in a test, would you get a minor for failing to make progress? I am asking, because, guess what? It was pouring down (just like it was on that same road today) with rain, I was approaching the roundabout downhill, and the road was basically a river. I struggled to withhold my anger at the examiner who grinned as he explained that as the speed limit was 40, he expected me to be at 40 until the last point at which I could have safely braked. An utter pr@t. That one minor on an otherwise clean sheet. Still got my licence though. Motorbike test. What really cheered me up (in retrospect), was he was actually shorter than me, and fell off his fancy examiner (mock police) bike and it landed on him.

[@MervynPartin]

I've noticed the difference between the roundabouts in your video and the ones in my area. All yours seem to have pretty good visibility all round, but my local ones are nearly all totally obscured within the roundabouts by miniature hills, shrubbery or ornamental bushes so cars coming around cannot be seen until they are upon you, and often at high speed! Some roundabouts have advertising signs. Road safety? Not around here.

[@_aranthebestgaming_1935]

Are you able to do a short video for unmarked lane(s) for a roundabout? Majority of people have been turning left (1st exit) from the right lane though with two lanes.

[@Batters56]

Depends…. Some roundabouts come down to how local traffic uses it.

[@andyalder7910]

If you look it up on Google Maps and post the N/E co-ordinates we could check it out. Normally lane 1 can use 2nd exit and would collide with anyone turning left from lane 1,

[@PeterStephensPhotography]

Audi at 3:25 looked to have lost something

[@thesim1990]

Audi manage that?

[@gregg.d]

Planning to stop; looking to go.

[@burger406]

been caught out by someone doing a u-turn on a roundabout before. -burger40

[@badabing8884]

Roundabouts are my pet peeves, especially those who fail to give way to the right.

[@PedroConejo1939]

I agree, but would add that you can only give way to what you can see. One of my peeves is drivers who drive so quickly they are forever meeting drivers 'not giving way', but in reality, it's them driving too fast for the layout of the road.

[@PS-fl7et]

@@PedroConejo1939But they have to get their footage for social media

[@PedroConejo1939]

@@PS-fl7et It is one of the most common themes on dashcam channels, which is one reason I don't watch them anymore.

[@jameskole3584]

@@PedroConejo1939 Very quickly realise most dash cam channels show clips of drivers feeling aggrieved, when drive into the situation. Channels where the channel owner records what they see can be better - there is a lot less driving into situations than channels where people submit videos to the channel (with some well known exceptions if you include all forms of transport)

[@RogeyRD250DX]

Genuine question, Ashley. Did you actually need to indicate pulling out of that lay by? The on coming car had passed & was clear. And no other traffic appeared to be around you. If "yes" -why ?

[@ashley_neal]

So the silver car driver knew I was going into lane 2 prior to them being on the RAB. Don't just signal to people behind. If you are within overtaking range, let people know. Would you have not signalled there?

[@derekheeps1244]

@@ashley_nealI would not . I would simply have held back behind that car until I was sure he’d seen me ; as it happened you never closed on him so that signal was of no benefit to him . For traffic ahead of me on a roundabout, I hold back and let them go where they wish to go ; by doing this there can be no conflict with traffic in front . Signals at or on roundabouts are either for the benefit of following traffic if you are changing course , or for traffic approaching or waiting to join as knowing that you are either exiting or continuing round helps them to plan when to enter smoothly . If catching a slower vehicle and about to overtake , the appropriate signal to them is a horn warning or a headlamp flash to make them aware of your presence .

[@RogeyRD250DX]

@@ashley_neal Oh,I think I get it. You were indicating because you were about to take up lane 2. I kind of missed that detail on camera. So,not purely because of pulling out of the lay by. Sure I would indicate doing that manoeuvre. But if only going to progress in lane 1, I wouldn't feel it necessary so probably wouldn't .

[@donvito1973]

Who thinks the white Audi in the last few seconds of the video (rear view) decides to jump the red light because there's a lot of slow traffic through the roadworks? He seems to pull in for the signal, but then goes anyway. 🙂

[@Gopher31]

Slow to flow!

[@Slaeowulf]

This is my pet hate at the moment. People coming to stops on empty roundabouts.

[@alexgeorge5585]

4:00 or if you kept your speed up with how far away the van was you wouldn't have had to stop