When you wish to turn left at a roundabout you indicate -

Give way rules apply at all intersections no matter if the intersection is controlled by STOP or Give Way signs.  Give way rules still apply at roundabouts and even at intersections or crossroads, where there are no lines or signs.  Did you know that according to the Bureau of Statistics, almost half of the road crashes in NSW occur at intersections.  Intersections should never be rushed.  Whether or not you have to STOP or Give Way, you should always take your time to ensure it’s safe to proceed.

Some crossroads may not have traffic control lights or signs. If you’re turning across the path of another vehicle, you must give way.  Anytime that you turn at an intersection, you must give way to:

• Oncoming vehicles going straight ahead (if you are turning right).
• Oncoming vehicles turning left (if you are turning right).
• Any vehicle on your right (if you are turning left or right).

If you and an oncoming vehicle are turning right at an intersection (across the path of one another), both vehicles should pass in front of each other.

4-Way Intersections

Give way rules at 4-way intersections, always seem to not just confuse learner drivers, but also experienced drivers.  We have found that many learner drivers aren’t sure who gives way or who has right of way and become somewhat ‘flustered’.

• If you approach a 4-way intersection at the same time as a vehicle who is approaching from your right and they appear to be travelling straight ahead, give way to your right.
• If you approach a 4-way intersection at the same time as a vehicle who is approaching from your left and right and both appear to be travelling straight ahead, give way to both.
• If you approach a 4-way intersection at the same time as a vehicle opposite you who appears to be turning right, they give way to you no matter if you are travelling straight or turning left.
• If you approach a 4-way intersection at the same time as a vehicle opposite you who appears to be turning left and you intend on turning right (same direction as the opposite vehicle), they have right of way as they are closest to the kerb.
• If you approach a 4-way intersection at the same time as a vehicle who appears to be turning right (your left) and you intend on turning right (their left), you can both proceed by passing in front of one another.
• If you approach a 4-way intersection at the same time as a vehicle to your left and who appears to be travelling straight ahead or turning left or right, they give way to you.

This generally applies when vehicles approach the STOP sign or line at the same time.  Which ever vehicle approached first, they generally have the right of way.

Another common problem we find is that learner drivers get confused with the ‘Give Way to your right rule’.  When leaving a road and there is another vehicle waiting to turn, many learners will slow right down and/or come to a stop thinking they have to give way to the vehicle ready to enter the road their turning off. See below example.   

In this situation, the grey vehicle waiting to turn must give way to the blue car turning right.  However, never assume that the other vehicle will apply the give way rule and ensure they wait to give way to you when making the turn.  A rather simple and non-complex way of thinking about applying the give way rule is like this.  Assume you are travelling along a stretch of road, that’s ‘your’ road.  Anyone who wishes to enter ‘your’ road, must give way to you.  No matter if they are leaving a driveway, leaving the kerb to enter the lane of traffic or turning from a side street, they must apply the give way rule and give way to you.

Now assume you are turning off that stretch of road, any vehicle waiting to turn from the road you intend to enter, must give way to you first.  Once you turn onto the new road, that’s ‘your’ road and the same give way rule applies.

If you are not familiar with the give way rules, it is a good idea to do some research so that you understand who has right of way at intersections.  Another good idea is to stop near a busy intersection and watch the traffic.  Not only will you get a better understanding of how the give way rule applies, you will probably also see how many drivers simply ignore STOP signs and fail to obey the road rules. Like anything, the more you do the better you become so practice and repeat so that you will feel more confident and competent when entering and exiting intersections.

The most popular misconception about giving way in a roundabout can cost you money and licence points. Here’s how to do it right

18 Mar 2020

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Tim Robson

Gallery2

It’s the way I was taught, it’s the way you were probably taught, and it’s the way we’re probably teaching our kids.

And we are all wrong.

If you ever wondered what the right way is to navigate roundabouts in Australia, how to navigate a multi-lane roundabout, or even who has the right of way when merging, we can almost guarantee that the majority of drivers are giving way to traffic on their right, and this, without exception, can earn you a ticket in every state and territory in Australia.

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A roundabout is, of course, a traffic device that was originally designed to replace intersections. They also work to reduce the instances of head-on collision, and are designed to keep traffic flowing through junctions and intersections.

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However, there is a widely held misconception that, upon approaching a roundabout, a driver is only required to give way to traffic on their right that is already in the roundabout. This is incorrect.

Roundabout rules in Victoria and NSW, as well as all other states and territories, expressly state that a driver is required to give way to ALL traffic in a roundabout.

When entering a roundabout, a driver must give way to any vehicle, including bikes, in the roundabout, as well as any tram or light rail vehicle entering or approaching the roundabout.

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In many cases, this does mean giving way to vehicles approaching from the right. However, a vehicle may have entered the roundabout ahead of the driver from the left, and the driver will have to give way to this other vehicle to avoid a collision.

Fail to give way to a vehicle in the roundabout, and you could be up for a nasty fine. ACT roundabout rules are the most stringent, with a $451 fine and three demerit points docked from offending drivers. The same offence carries a $330 fine in NSW and a $378 sting in Queensland.

It’s a relatively affordable $159 in Victoria and Tasmania, and ‘just’ $150 for breaking roundabout rules in WA.

We’ve also been asking whether you can change lanes in a roundabout. The answer to this comes down to the same thing as changing lanes and overtaking: the line markings. A multi-lane roundabout will usually have direction arrows painted on the road surface ahead of each junction point, and these serve as the first point of reference.

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For example, the left lane of a two-lane roundabout will often feature a left-turn arrow incorporated into a straight-on arrow. This means you have a choice of taking a left exit or proceeding ‘straight’ through the roundabout.

If the roundabout is marked with solid lines throughout, you’re locked into your lane choice.

When it comes to indicating when exiting a roundabout, that boils down to courtesy and common sense.

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Just like exiting any road, drivers have to signal left when leaving a roundabout if it’s practical to do so and turn off the indicator as soon as they have exited the roundabout.

When travelling straight ahead on a small single-lane roundabout, it may be impractical to indicate left when exiting. However, on larger, busier roundabouts, it can help traffic flow if you can briefly indicate your intentions to drivers waiting to enter the roundabout. It’s not a rule, however, and behaviour varies from state to state.

Which vehicle must signal to leave the roundabout if practical?

On approach you must indicate right, and turn using the right lane, unless arrows show you can use other lanes to turn right. You must give way to all vehicles already on the roundabout. You must continue to indicate right as you turn. When you leave, you must indicate left, if practical.

Do you have to indicate when going straight through a roundabout act?

There is no requirement for drivers to signal when approaching the roundabout, if they are going straight ahead. Drivers may approach the roundabout from either the left or right lane (unless there are road markings with other instructions).

What are the new roundabout rules in NSW?

The basic rules to remember Enter the roundabout when there is a safe gap in the traffic. If you need to change lanes, you must indicate and give way to any vehicle in the lane you're moving into. You can only change lanes where there's a broken white line. You must not change lanes if the line is unbroken.

Do you have to indicate out of a roundabout in Victoria?

If you want to travel straight through a roundabout: stay in the same lane through the roundabout. do not indicate as you approach the roundabout, but if practicable, signal left as you exit.