MENTION a roundabout on a community social media page and there are invariably rants in response about how few people know how to navigate a roundabout.
And even fewer people know how to signal while navigating the roundabout.
Many people say that drivers should give way to vehicles coming from the right.
But authorities say that is not the rule. The rule is that when you are approaching a roundabout you must give way to all vehicles already on the roundabout.
For those who are uncertain, the department has a video to explain:
For anyone in doubt, the department outlines the rules with diagrams and step-by-step instructions depending on whether a motorist is turning left, right or going straight at a roundabout.
The instructions inform us that whichever way drivers are going, they should be signalling as they exit.
The RACQ has listed this as one of the top 10 misconceptions about road rules, with many people thinking that no indicator is needed when driving straight ahead at a roundabout.
The Department points out that motorists turning left should use their left indicators as they approach and enter the roundabout and only stop signalling when they have exited the roundabout.
Turning right or doing a u-turn requires drivers to use their right indicator as they approach and enter the roundabout. Left indicators should be used before exiting.
Drivers continuing straight ahead can approach without signalling but should signal left before exiting.
The rules are explained in this department video.
