Spiral Roundabouts 1

The use of lanes on spiral roundabouts. How does a spiral roundabout work? What do others do wrong? The video uses a real roundabout for demonstration - the A19/A183 roundabout in Sunderland. The source of much frustration to learners, test candidates, and qualified drivers alike!

[jhewitthunt]

Best video I've seen on this. Top job! The main difference between yours and others is how clearly you show what the indicators should be doing at all points. Brilliant. Thanks!

[TheFriedMovies]

The only proper video on this topic. Spent ages searching for one and gave up, today I got reccommended this. You're a lifesaver!

[DavidM]

As a visitor to the UK from Canada, where we have far fewer roundabouts, I learned by watching YT videos and they were a lifesaver.

My Rule Number 1 is, whenever entering a multi-lane roundabout to never enter beside any vehicle that is already in the roundabout because they could be exiting momentarily and would need my lane to get there. I also try to position myself within the roundabout to never have anyone on my left so that I can change lanes to exit if necessary. All of this being predicated on traffic volume of course. But, my Rule Number 1 served me well for many thousands of miles of UK driving over the years.

Before too long, I seemed to follow the rules better than many of the local drivers because I had better teachers.

[CHRISDABAHIA]

Splendid video. Extremely clear! Thank you so much for posting!

[RachelRhiarti]

This was so clear and helpful - thank you! Really appreciate you commenting on the ways it can go awry with other drivers taking the wrong lane, too.

[sandwichbreath]

Thanks for creating this! I'm moving to the UK from Australia in a few months and, while we have roundabouts too, these spiral ones are something else entirely. This video helped me get my head around it!

[ankurwalia]

Thanks a lot for this awesome explanation! I am a new driver and I am from Glasgow up north. I recently visited Bristol and Bath and used a rental car there. It was a nightmare with every other roundabout being a spiral roundabout. I was doing fine on going straight but messed up once on turning right but to be safe I continued to where I was going (not where I wanted to but since I was in wrong lane so followed that safely ) . Then to go to my correct path that I had to turn right again on the same roundabout !!! But now I think I know what to do.

[milczyciel]

Thank you, this was very informative and easy to digest. I especially appreciate the in-depth breakdown of the traffic sign starting at 1:20 and how you've pointed out, that the order of the road markings translates to the order of the exits from the point of view of the driver. Kudos.

[angelangel]

Thanks a lot. I prefer animated demos because i learn better from them.

[doctorsocrates]

I passed my test prior to the introduction of these roundabouts and have not come across them very often but i had to improvise on the spot when i did come across one andi more or less taught myself how these work...thank you for the video.

[Ahmad-cobn]

Beautifully explained. You are an excellent teacher sir, I have noticed it's a while you haven't uploaded anything, please keep it up sir. Thank you

[fretboarder]

Ive just been on this roundabout a few times today, , good video cheers..

[golpofromuk]

Best vdo which i always wanted. Nice explaination as well

[watermelonqueen]

Please make more☺️ These are very useful

[Just-SomeGuy]

Really great video. Roundabouts are a great invention, but I think they are implemented very badly very often. As has been mentioned, the dots can be very hard to follow when it is busy or there is bad weather.

One thing that doesn't make sense from the diagram is the right hand lane arrow right as you are about to enter the roundabout (start of video). Why would the arrow be straight ahead when that would be the wrong lane to go straight ahead?

I can't understand why all big roundabouts like this one don't have the lane guidance on a sign ABOVE the entrance of the road and at every set of lights. When roundabouts are busy it can become nigh on impossible to see the markings on the road. It becomes very nerve wracking on a new roundabout surrounded by large vehicles in the rain or at night and you are trying to safely find your way into the right lane.

What I hate is when roadworks are being carried out on roundabouts. A bunch of cones are laid out and it becomes very hard to read the road, especially at night. What lunatic though a zillion cones would be a good idea?

I think that councils should be fined too for not keeping up with the road markings. My friend failed their driving test for not using proper lane discipline on a roundabout. However, the lane markings have been completely worn away and even the arrows are almost gone!

When roundabouts are well signed and the paint is bold, they are great. However, when everything is poorly signed, a bit worn out and hard to read, they are TERRIBLE!

[abykuriakose]

Is there any way we could know east west north south of roads without local knowledge?
Thank you for your clear explanation of the spiral round about.

[audreyarmelle]

How do you apply the MSPSL on thi??they seem so complex

[Squimple]

The double dotted lines are really confusing! At 7 minures, how do you know which set of dotted lines to follow? You could end up in the middle lane, left lane or exit the roundabout! Why is there a lack on consistency in markings Dotted lines only for entering vehicles would be a good start. Which markings can you trust?
I've been driving for 25 years and Spiral Roundabouts still baffle me!

[Tichteevan]

Very good come up to Kirkcaldy in Fife and do the same for our spiral roundabouts it would be a great help..

Thank you.

[moheeraghouri]

Good video. I have question though as to why throughout we are keeping the right signal on while on the middle lane would it not confuse the traffic behind thinking i am changing lanes? So confused 😅