Roundabouts. “Any turn that exits after 12 o’clock can be considered a right turn (so you’d indicate right entering the roundabout). If you disable this cookie, we will not be able to save your preferences. Golden Rule. So, if inner lane tries to exit at 9 o'clock, he should be at fault. If there are two lanes on approach, as a general rule if you're taking an exit after 12 o'clock you need to be in the right-hand lane, unless signs or road markings say otherwise. It is not a Rule, because it does not, and cannot, apply to all roundabouts. As a general rule, if you’re taking the first exit left, or going to follow the road ahead at the roundabout then use the left lane, and if your exit is to the right (past 12 o’clock), then use the right-hand lane. Outskirts of Derry (same rules apply with regards to roundabouts) on approach to 'B&Q' - exits 1 and 2 approach in left lane, exits 3 and 4 in right lane. a long way after 12 o’clock). Any turn that exits after 12 o'clock can be considered a right turn (so you'd indicate right entering the roundabout). Past 12 o'clock - right hand lane, signal right, signal left when taking exit. The 12 o clock rule refers to an idea of what you would do on the approach to roundabouts. Any turn that exits the roundabout after 12 o'clock can be considered a right turn. His instructor said “It’s very simple. ... A vehicle ( a ) is approaching a roundabout at 6 o'clock and a vehicle ( b ) approaching at 3 o'clock. give way to the vehicle coming from the right is the rule. in the middle of the road ) = can exit and 12 o'clock or 3 o'clock at the roundabout. Regardless of opinion, not obeying this rule can lead to big fines. 5 Exit Roundabout Rules. If you are going ahead and the exit is at 12 clock you again approach in the left hand lane with no signal on approach and signal left to leave as you pass the last exit before the one you wish to take. “Think of the roundabout as a clock”. If taking any exit between the 12 o’clock to the 6 o’clock positions, motorists should generally approach in the right-hand lane. Answer Save. Straight ahead at a roundabout can be considered 12 o'clock (so you wouldn't indicate on entry).” I have always used the 12 O'clock rule too, although you can use the outer lane to go straight on also, but anything past 12 you should be in the right hand lane, regardless of how many exits … On approach to the roundabout have a look at the road sign showing the layout and exits of the roundabout. You are approaching from 6 o’clock and straight ahead is 12 o’clock. It does not exist in the Highway Code. This 'golden rule' should help you to drive safely at any roundabout regardless of the number of exits: Think of the roundabout as a clock. If i remember correctly, a two-lane roundabout has the following rules : Outer Lane ( i.e. “Straight ahead at a roundabout can be considered 12 o’clock (so you wouldn’t indicate on entry).” Many people disagreed with the rule, with some saying it was a “dumb, stupid rule”. Choose left lane and keep to the left throughout the roundabout if your exit is not past 12 o’clock unless road signs or markings direct you otherwise. As a general guide, you can usually position in the left hand lane on approach to a roundabout if the exit you are taking is before the 12 o'clock position. If you are going ahead and the exit is at 12 clock you again approach in the left hand lane with no signal on approach and signal left to leave as you pass the last exit before the one you wish to take. If practical, drivers should indicate when they leave the roundabout, even at "12 o'clock" on the roundabout . This question has sparked debate among drivers who argue that, according to the 12 o'clock rule which applies to roundabouts, any exit to your right should be accessed via the right hand lane. Any turn that exits after 12 o'clock can be considered a right turn (so you'd indicate right entering the roundabout). At some roundabouts one traffic lane might be allowed to flow free; there will be road markings or signs to show this. It doesn't matter if there are two lanes leaving the roundabout? general rule for unmarked roundabouts? Note how the A611 is shown at 12 o’clock and the A610 at 3 o’clock (i.e. Re: Roundabout exits between "12 & 2 o'clock" Post by bart » Mon Aug 20, 2018 20:03 I used that roundabout a few times when I lived in the area and generally used the right-hand lane on the rare occasions where there was other traffic about, because much of the traffic in the left-hand lane was signalling to turn left. Anyways, TLDR; the 12 o clock rule is correct, go by that rather than by the number of exits on the roundabout. The 12 o clock rule refers to an idea of what you would do on the approach to roundabouts. There are no road markings or signage to tell you any different. Think of the roundabout as a clock. The rules of roundabouts were very important, but they did tend to confuse people. Speed: approach so that you can stop and give way if necessary. Just a quick question on lanes - When you are going straight through a roundabout you always approach in the left lane, right? It will be easier and simple to deal with the roundabouts when driving in the UK if motorist understands the rule of lane discipline on approach to roundabout. RAC Forum Thread I was taught the general 12 o’clock rule when approaching roundabouts, but what happens when you come to a roundabout with an exit going left, one going straight ahead and the other exit is just you going right around the roundabout and returning the way you came. When you want to go straight ahead (any exit to the left of 12 o’clock) Unless road markings say otherwise, approach in the left-hand lane. PurpleBirch. Rule 186 explains how to use a roundabout, it’s not called the twelve o’clock rule in the Highway Code but the ‘12 o’clock ‘ rule is more or less what you need to do If exiting right or going around then right hand lane signalling right If exiting the first left exit then signal left The road I am exiting on to only has one lane. Also note how the roundabout is oval, which illustrates another problem with the 12 o’clock rule – it assumes roundabouts are round like a clock face, which many aren’t. 18 … Exits beyond 12 o clock will usually require use of the right-hand lane and a right turn signal. Not everyone agrees. Above, you can see we’ve labelled the roundabout with clock faces. Any turn that exits the roundabout before 12 o'clock can be considered a left turn. Anonymous. ADI qualified Driving instructor 12+ years’ experience, Foundation Multimedia - Isle of Wight Web Design & Marketing. A good rule of thumb (what the Road Safety Authority calls the Golden Rule) is to think of the roundabout as a clock. Exit Shopping Cart It really is a guideline more than a rule but it gives the driver a rough rule to use on approaching roundabouts. Update: UK DRIVING . Any turn that exits before 12 o'clock can be considered a left turn (so you'd indicate left when you're entering the roundabout). If taking any exit from the 6 o’clock to the 12 o’clock position, motorists should generally approach in the left-hand lane. If you’re taking any exit between six and 12 o’clock, you should be in the left hand lane. You are approaching from 6 o’clock and straight ahead is 12 o’clock. Turns that occur at roundabouts can be described by imagining the roundabout to be a clock face. Archived. However as said earlier it is a guide line because local knowledge and the roundabout configuration could alter this. I was taught the 12 o clock rule, left lane to 9 o clock, left lane for straight ahead and right lanes for anything beyond that. If for instance there is no right exit on a roundabout you are approaching then they may have a the left lane for turning left and the right lane for turning right, so there is one for each direction which is different to a four exit roundabout where normally the left lane is for left and ahead, but on this occasion they may as well use the right lane for ahead. Roundabouts. ... Before 12 o'clock use left lane, after 12 o'clock use … If taking any exit from the 6 o’clock to the 12 o’clock position, motorists should generally approach in the left-hand lane. It really is a guideline more than a rule but it gives the driver a rough rule to use on approaching roundabouts. Inner Lane ( i.e. If you are approaching a roundabout and the turning left and the exit is before 12 o clock then you approach in the left hand lane and give a left signal on approach. Also on smaller roundabouts large … by Paul | Jun 23, 2016 | Blog. First off the “12 o’clock rule” isn’t a bad rule, especially for learners and it generally works. Unless road markings say otherwise. This ‘golden rule’ should help motorists to drive safely at any roundabout regardless of the number of exits: think of the roundabout as a clock. If your exit is past 12 o clock you would approach in the right hand lane with a right signal on approach and signal left to leave as you pass the exit before the one you wish to take. 4 Answers. If your exit is not the first exit, but your exit is before 12 o’clock or directly ahead at 12 o’clock. “Straight ahead at a roundabout can be considered 12 o’clock (so you wouldn’t indicate on entry).” Many people disagreed with the rule, with some saying it was a “dumb, stupid rule”. Approaching too fast could make other drivers on the roundabout think that you are going to drive in front of them. If you’re taking any exit between 12 and six o’clock, you should be in the right hand lane. I was always taught that if it's after 12 o'clock, use the right hand unless marked. And yes I know that the majority of drivers already know this, but there are quite a few out there that don't so hopefully this'll help clarify the issue for some of them. Is a myth. In NSW you’ll cop a $191 fine and two demerit points. This means that every time you visit this website you will need to enable or disable cookies again.