Magic roundabout in England

arjithin · 26th October 2013, 12:17

Came across an article in Popular mechanics about 18 Strangest Roadways. Many of these are already known.

I was surprised to see the 6th one - The magic roundabout. How do someone new to the area finds the right route? How do GPS navigation handles it? Any fellow bhpian travelled through this one already?

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Magic roundabout in England-roadways06xln.jpg

ajmat · 27th October 2013, 08:54

The secret is to treat each mini roundabout as a separate entity. As you approach, the GPS will tell you to take the first, second or third exit. As you know discipline is tight, the car approaching on the right gets priority. Purpose of this roundabout is to allow two directions of traffic around this roundabout. Lorries and caravaners find it a bit tight. I tried it nearly 20years ago and found it okay.

itwasntme · 27th October 2013, 10:35

I have driven through this Swindon roundabout around 5 years back in my Renault Laguna. As ajmat has already mentioned, its actually very intuitive and accompanied by excellent signage. The trick is to rigorously follow 'normal' UK traffic rules regarding roundabouts. If so, there is no issue at all even for drivers completely new to the area.

Of course, you do need to be clear WHERE you want to go :-) but that is a festering issue with all roundabouts.

Issue arises for non-UK drivers which are actually plenty on the roads. Even back then, there were a sizeable number of LHD EU lorries/cars on the road and the situation must be worse now.

Now, if a non-UK lorry driver gets confused, there can be a major issue :-)

Zed · 27th October 2013, 12:17

Quote:

Originally Posted by itwasntme

Issue arises for non-UK drivers which are actually plenty on the roads. Even back then, there were a sizeable number of LHD EU lorries/cars on the road and the situation must be worse now.

Now, if a non-UK lorry driver gets confused, there can be a major issue :-)

In the event that a motorist gets confused and does something silly other motors would quickly recognize that a driver has got it wrong and slow down or stop completely to help him/her. No honking to express displeasure or anger. No rolling down the window and swearing (very rarely have I witnessed this). In other words a majority of motorist will not do anything to make a bad situation worse.

Which, sadly, is excatly what happens in India.

26th October 2013, 12:17	#1
arjithin Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: MEL/Chalakudy Posts: 1,129 Thanked: 2,117 Times View My Garage	Magic roundabout in England Came across an article in Popular mechanics about 18 Strangest Roadways. Many of these are already known. I was surprised to see the 6th one - The magic roundabout. How do someone new to the area finds the right route? How do GPS navigation handles it? Any fellow bhpian travelled through this one already? Mods : Searched for this one across the forum, but couldnt find it. Please move/merge if not in the right place. There is a reference to magic roundabout here, but no discussions. Last edited by GTO : 26th October 2013 at 15:11. Reason: Updating with image
	(2) Thanks

27th October 2013, 08:54	#2
ajmat Team-BHP Support Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Bangalore Posts: 14,861 Thanked: 27,964 Times View My Garage	The secret is to treat each mini roundabout as a separate entity. As you approach, the GPS will tell you to take the first, second or third exit. As you know discipline is tight, the car approaching on the right gets priority. Purpose of this roundabout is to allow two directions of traffic around this roundabout. Lorries and caravaners find it a bit tight. I tried it nearly 20years ago and found it okay.
	(4) Thanks

27th October 2013, 10:35	#3
itwasntme Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2007 Location: BANGALORE Posts: 6,978 Thanked: 12,532 Times View My Garage	Re: Magic roundabout in England I have driven through this Swindon roundabout around 5 years back in my Renault Laguna. As ajmat has already mentioned, its actually very intuitive and accompanied by excellent signage. The trick is to rigorously follow 'normal' UK traffic rules regarding roundabouts. If so, there is no issue at all even for drivers completely new to the area. Of course, you do need to be clear WHERE you want to go :-) but that is a festering issue with all roundabouts. Issue arises for non-UK drivers which are actually plenty on the roads. Even back then, there were a sizeable number of LHD EU lorries/cars on the road and the situation must be worse now. Now, if a non-UK lorry driver gets confused, there can be a major issue :-)
	(3) Thanks