The set of rules includes a large number of subtleties that are remembered only over time. Driving through roundabouts is very difficult, especially for novice drivers. Usually they don’t really delve into the rules and drive through such intersections with violations. To avoid getting a fine or getting into an accident, you need to familiarize yourself in detail with all the nuances and tricks.
Roundabouts. Basic moments
Experienced drivers sometimes simply call a roundabout a circle. In countries with right-hand traffic, roundabouts can only be driven counterclockwise, while in countries with left-hand traffic - clockwise.
Traffic lights are never installed at this type of intersection. Traffic is regulated exclusively by road signs or markings. In addition, unregulated pedestrian crossings are often installed at roundabouts. The driver is obliged to let pedestrians pass in any case.
Turn signals at a roundabout are turned on at the entrance, exit and when a car changes lanes.
What signs are installed at such intersections?
Until recently, only one sign was installed in front of a roundabout - 4.3. It marked the start of a roundabout, but not the main road, and all cars had to give way to cars on the right.
Now the Government of the Russian Federation has slightly modified the traffic rules. The passage of roundabouts can also be regulated by signs 2.4 “Give way” or 2.1 “Main road”, as well as by sign 2.5 “Driving without stopping is prohibited”.
Experienced drivers are accustomed to the fact that when entering an intersection they must give way to cars moving along the “ring”, however, now they need to be more careful so as not to become the culprit of a traffic accident or receive a substantial fine for a violation.
How to choose the right lane for traffic at a roundabout
The rules for driving roundabouts do not include exact requirements for lane selection. Despite this, each driver, when leaving the circle, is required to change lanes to the far right so as not to interfere with other moving cars.
So, the driver can enter the “ring” from any lane, but exiting is only possible from the right lane. It is interesting that before directly entering the intersection it is not at all necessary to occupy the corresponding lane for further exit. This will not interfere with the correct passage of roundabouts. Turn indicators must be shown. When exiting, only the right turn signal is displayed. When changing lanes at a roundabout, the driver must also turn on the turn signals. This may be a right or left signal, depending on the band.
Right turn in a roundabout
First of all, the rules for driving through roundabouts do not mean at all that the “ring” is always the main road. Inspectors warn drivers about this and strongly recommend moving slowly and carefully at this intersection. It is best to strictly stick to your lane and not change lanes without turn signals.
So, you need to move to the right very carefully. This is the only way to ensure safe passage through roundabouts. For dummies, you need to remember that you can turn right at the roundabout only after the driver is sure that other road users are allowing him to pass. After this, the driver must turn on the appropriate turn signal, slow down and smoothly enter the intersection.
Left turn in a roundabout
When turning left, it is important not to violate the current rules for driving through roundabouts. If such an intersection consists of two lanes, then before leaving it the driver must carefully change into the right lane and exit the “ring”.
It is more difficult if there are three traffic lanes at the intersection. In this case (if the car is moving to the left, that is, in the direction), the driver must change into the right lane. He must act very carefully. Absolutely all actions must occur smoothly.
When making such a maneuver, the main thing is to remember that driving through roundabouts must be done without violating traffic rules. It is imperative to show turn signals to prevent a ridiculous accident. It is also important to remember the order of travel. It is not recommended to violate it, especially for beginners. The driver may simply overestimate his strength and not have time to complete the maneuver.
Driving straight at a roundabout
Very often, adjacent roads affect the passage of roundabouts. For dummies, it is good to remember the information that when driving straight on the “ring”, it is best to take the middle row (if the intersection has three lanes for traffic). You should exit from the far right lane. If a car starts moving on the main road, you need to make sure that all other cars have stopped.
Of course, when driving straight, you can enter from absolutely any lane in front of a roundabout, but such a maneuver can create an obstacle for other road users. It is better to take care of a simple and safe exit in advance.
Also, don’t forget about pedestrian crossings. Typically, an unregulated pedestrian crossing is installed in front of a roundabout. All pedestrians must be allowed through before entering the “ring”.
Correct exit from a roundabout
So, how to enter and move around the “ring” was described above. Now you need to figure out how to properly make a congress. There is no need to explain that it is necessary to leave such an intersection only from the far right lane. The driver must be very careful when driving through roundabouts. Turn signals must be shown.
When leaving an intersection, only the right turn signal is displayed. The driver must let all moving cars pass on the right and only then change lanes to exit.
If the driver missed his exit road, he must circle again and return to a good place for this. It is worth noting that the rules allow overtaking at a roundabout intersection.
Anticipated fines
Inspectors are usually very strict about how drivers navigate roundabouts. There are many fines for violating the rules at this type of intersection:
- for driving into the oncoming lane;
- for failure to give priority to a car that is on the main road;
- for stopping at the "ring";
- for the turned off turn signal;
- for leaving the far right lane.
If the driver does not give priority to other drivers, he will receive a penalty of 1,000 rubles. Exactly the same fine awaits the violator who did not pay attention to the signs installed in front of the roundabout.
There are even cases when the offender begins to move against the traffic on the “ring”. For such an offense, deprivation of rights is provided. The driver will be sent to court, and the judge will determine the term of imprisonment.
The traffic rules say that stopping at a roundabout is only possible 5 meters before the exit. The rest of the stopped cars will definitely receive a fine. The penalty for such a violation is 500 rubles.
In addition, it is possible to receive other fines at roundabouts. For example, for driving through a prohibitory traffic light, the first fine is issued in the amount of 1,000 rubles. For subsequent violations, the driver risks losing his license for up to six months.
Also, if a driver decides to enter, exit or change lanes at a roundabout and has not turned on the appropriate turn signal before doing so, he will be subject to a fine of 500 rubles.
Attention! The material is NOT relevant!!! .
Good afternoon, dear car enthusiasts!
Despite the fact that roundabouts are designed to facilitate traffic at road intersections, drivers still have a lot of questions about driving through such intersections. When driving through roundabouts, very little attention is paid, which is why some difficulties arise.
First mention in maneuvering rules:
8.5. Before turning right, left or making a U-turn, the driver is obliged to take in advance the appropriate extreme position on the roadway intended for traffic in this direction, except in cases where a turn is made when entering an intersection where a roundabout is organized.
Second in the rules for driving through uncontrolled intersections:
13.9. At the intersection of unequal roads, the driver of a vehicle moving on a secondary road must give way to vehicles approaching on the main road, regardless of the direction of their further movement. At such intersections, a tram has an advantage over trackless vehicles moving in the same or opposite direction on an equivalent road, regardless of the direction of its movement.
If sign 4.3 is installed in front of a roundabout in combination with sign 2.4 or 2.5, the driver of a vehicle located at the intersection has priority over vehicles entering such an intersection.
In the first case, the rules for entering the intersection are determined, in the second, priority.
There are no other explanatory rules for driving through a roundabout, and the general rules should be followed. What is a roundabout?
The first thing you need to understand is that a roundabout is one intersection with multiple roadways crossing. The roadway on the “ring” is not a separate road, but is intended for exiting from one road to another. (Just like, for example, a section of the roadway at the break in the dividing strip intended for a turn, but not being a road and not forming a separate intersection)
According to clause 8.5 of the rules, if you make a turn when entering an intersection with a roundabout, you do not need to take the extreme position, that is, you can enter the intersection from any lane. Please note, this rule only applies to entering the intersection; when leaving the intersection, you must take the extreme right position on the roadway. Turning from the second lane when leaving an intersection is prohibited.
Now let’s look at a more complex option, which occurs quite often - one of the roads of a roundabout intersection runs along the tangent of the circle
In this situation, the intersection also has a roundabout, let's look at how traffic occurs straight along the second lane on the road.
Despite the fact that the turning maneuver is not carried out, nevertheless, entry into the roundabout occurs and, in the case of straight traffic, exit from it occurs at the same time. It turns out to be a kind of contradiction: on the one hand, we can enter the ring in any lane, but we must exit only from the far right lane. We move straight, without making any maneuvers, but when crossing a “circular traffic”, for some moment we become participants in the traffic along this “ring” and occupy the second lane on it. To exit the roundabout we are forced to cross the far right lane of the roundabout.
Thus, formally, three maneuvers are performed simultaneously
- Entering a roundabout
- Changing lanes to the far right lane
- Exiting a roundabout
This formal division of maneuvers is necessary to determine priority between vehicles that are moving in the traffic circle and those that are only “grazing” it.
If priority signs are not installed at the intersection, then at the intersection of trajectories “1” the red car must give way, guided by paragraph (tip:: 13.11. At the intersection of equivalent roads, the driver of a trackless vehicle is obliged to give way to vehicles approaching from the right. The same rule must tram drivers should be guided by each other.) 11/13(/tip) rules. And at the intersection of trajectories “2”, both cars are in a circular motion and the white car must let the red car pass, as it leaves the lane and crosses the lane of the red car.
There are an infinite number of configurations of roundabout intersections and they are unfairly given too little attention in the traffic rules.
In order to avoid getting into such difficult situations, you need to plan your movement through the intersection in advance, and if you plan to exit the roundabout quickly, it is better to take the far right lane in advance before entering.
Dear you without obstacles!
Circular motion very often becomes a problem for beginners. This is not surprising, because there are a great many varieties of such intersections (and this is precisely an intersection). There is only one thing that unites them - circular motion (ring). The different number of roads that approach the ring and their location relative to this ring do not make it possible to unify the circular traffic. But it is still necessary to comply with general requirements, they say driving instructors .
Problems driving a roundabout
As when driving through any intersection, before a roundabout you need to slow down and assess the situation on the road. The common belief that the ring is always the main road is erroneous. Most often this is the case, but not always. Therefore, pay close attention to the signs and remember the “interference from the right” rule.
When driving in a roundabout, a lot of confusion arises among inexperienced drivers with the inclusion of the necessary turns.
The basic rule is this: when entering and exiting a roundabout, you must turn right.
Choosing the right lane in a roundabout is no less difficult. Here, too, everything depends on the specific situation, because rings can be multi-band.
Options for crossing a roundabout
You need to turn right around the roundabout
Entry - turning on the right turn (“I will drive around the ring”). Exit - turning on a right turn at the level of the previous exit (“I’m moving onto the next road”). However, you will have to turn right in order to change lanes in preparation for the exit.
Legislation should be structured in such a way as to exclude the possibility of double interpretation. However, the reality is that when driving through roundabouts (rings), some turn left, others turn right, and others do not use the signs at all.
The purpose of this article is to provide clarity at this time.
If, after reading the article, objections arise, I would like them to be MOTIVATED, with references to paragraphs of the Rules, etc. The statements “I was taught this way in driving school” are incorrect, if only because since 2000, changes to traffic rules have been made to one degree or another 25 (!) times. Moreover, the latest ones were on December 17, 2013.
Back in the 90s, I was also taught completely differently than what is written here.
So, the ring. Although, I am more impressed by the name “roundabout”, because... the term itself contains an indication of section 13 of the traffic rules, which is responsible for driving through intersections. Plus, since we move and change our location, we need to remember section 8 of the Rules.
When driving through an intersection where there is a roundabout, it is necessary to highlight three main points:
1. Entering the intersection;
2. Driving through an intersection;
3. Exit from the intersection.
Entering the intersection
Clause 8.5 of the Rules states that before turning, it is necessary to take the appropriate extreme position, except in cases when turning into an intersection where a roundabout is organized. Thus, we conclude that you can take any lane to enter (taking into account the restrictions imposed by clause 9.4 of the traffic rules).
Which turn signal should be turned on, and is it necessary to use it at all?
Mandatory sign 4.3 says that you are allowed to move ONLY and EXCLUSIVELY in the direction of the arrows on the sign, i.e. COUNTERCLOCK-WISE. Movement “clockwise” forms a side of the administrative offense provided for in Art. 12.15 part 4 – which entails deprivation of a driver’s license.
Thus, when entering an intersection where there is a roundabout, you can only make a RIGHT turn - other trajectories are excluded.
By virtue of clause 8.1 of the traffic rules, the driver is required to give signals in the appropriate direction before turning.
Therefore, despite the fact that when entering, we make exclusively a RIGHT turn (other maneuvers are impossible), we are required to turn on the RIGHT turn signal.
Depending on what type of intersection it is, we apply certain points of the Rules. Namely:
- Regulated intersection - we move based on the signals of the traffic light or traffic controller;
An unregulated intersection of equal roads - vehicles entering have priority rights to traffic relative to vehicles moving along the ring;
An unregulated intersection of unequal roads - we move based on the requirements of priority signs. If there is a sign 2.4 (give way) or 2.5 (driving without stopping is prohibited) before the entrance, then the driver located on the roundabout has PREFERENCE in traffic.
We would like to remind you that the “Give Way” requirement means that the vehicle having the right of way must not change DIRECTION or SPEED. You can often observe drivers driving according to the principle: “I’ve already driven past the sign” and forcing those driving around the roundabout to resort to braking. At a speed of 60 km/h, a car travels 15 meters per second. Take this into account when “falling out” 10 meters before approaching traffic at a much lower speed.
Traffic at the intersection
It is common to see drivers using the LEFT turn signal.
Let's figure out what a turn is. Unfortunately, the traffic rules do not contain a formulation of the concept of “turn”, but given the fact that in the Russian Federation the official language is Russian, let us turn to S.I. Ozhegov, who interprets a turn as “the place where they turn” (change movement). In relation to the Rules, taking into account that roads at intersections intersect, begin, and end, we can conclude that a Turn is an exit onto another road (or adjacent territory).
Considering this, it immediately becomes clear why no one uses the signs on the curves of the road marked with signs 1.11 (dangerous turn) or 1.12 (dangerous turns).
Thus, in a circular motion we have only two possible trajectories of movement:
- “In a circle”, in the direction of the arrows on sign 4.3 (circular traffic);
Or leave the ring by making a RIGHT turn.
Therefore, if we are moving through a roundabout without changing lanes, we DO NOT turn on the direction indicators. If you still decide to change lanes, you must turn on the sign for the corresponding direction. And the lane changing maneuver must comply with the requirements of paragraph 8.4 of the traffic rules (when changing lanes, give way to the one who is moving in the same direction without changing the direction of movement. Simultaneous lane changing - give way to the one on the right).
Exit from the roundabout
Leaving the roundabout is carried out according to the general requirements of the maneuvering rules (clauses 8.5, 8.6) - from the extreme RIGHT to the extreme RIGHT, unless signs 5.15.1 and 5.15.2 (direction of traffic along the lanes) provide for a different order.
Therefore, we turn on the RIGHT turn signal.
In Petrozavodsk, you can often observe accidents involving drivers moving either from the center of the ring or from the middle lane (for example, the ring to Chapaev). It is necessary to understand that in the absence of signs or markings indicating the permitted directions of movement in the lanes for driving STRAIGHT (along the ring), you can use ANY (right or left) lane, while exiting only from the RIGHT lane.
To summarize all of the above:
We enter the roundabout and turn on the RIGHT turn signal.
We move along the ring - no pointer is required.
We move out - turn on the RIGHT sign again.
Road sign 4.3 “Roundabout”
Road signs, which are not so common on the road, sometimes cause difficulties not only for beginners, but also for motorists with quite a lot of driving experience. This kind of hesitation for some drivers can be caused by the “Roundabout” road sign. In small towns, such a sign can be found extremely rarely, but in larger cities you can easily come across this sign. And in order to avoid getting into a difficult or even dangerous situation on the road, every driver simply needs to know how to correctly drive through the “Roundabout” road sign.
Before you begin to study the specifics of the rules for driving on the “Roundabout” sign, you simply need to refresh your knowledge in various areas of traffic rules, and also have a good knowledge of exactly what it looks like and in what places it is installed.
There may be two types of signs in front of the ring:
Where is warning sign 1.7 “Roundabout” installed?
Sign 1.7 “Roundabout intersection” in a triangle can be installed at a distance of 50 to 100 meters before the roundabout within the city limits and 150-300 meters on the highway and outside cities.
Warning sign 1.7 "Roundabout"
New rules for driving roundabouts
On November 8, 2017, adjustments were made to the traffic rules on this issue in order to bring it closer to European standards. Now, according to the amendments, priority has been set for cars already on the ring, thus, car owners just entering the ring will let through all the cars that are already driving along it. Regardless of whether there is a “Give Way” sign in front of the roundabout or not, the innovations require car owners to give way to all vehicles that are already moving around the roundabout.
According to the amendments, priority has been established for cars already on the ring.
Today, the joint installation of “Roundabout” and “Give Way” signs in tandem is simply not relevant, and if you come across such a combination, then most likely they were installed before the innovations were introduced into the legislation and have not yet had time to remove them.
If there is no “Roundabout” sign in front of the roundabout
It is possible that a roundabout intersection is not marked with appropriate road signs. If you find yourself in a situation where there is a roundabout without signs, remember that the driver must rely on the general rules and move through the intersection according to the rules that govern movement through this particular type of intersection.
How to move around the ring correctly
Movement of cars around the ring
When approaching the roundabout, a motorist can take any lane that is most optimal for subsequent movement, since entering the roundabout from any of the available lanes is not against the rules.
In the case where there is no priority sign or traffic light in front of the intersection, the motorist has the right to enter the roundabout only after giving way to vehicles already on it.
When entering from the main road, the car located on the main road will have priority. And it is possible to enter a ring regulated by a traffic light only when the required traffic signal turns on.
There may be a different number of lanes on the ring, so you need to choose a lane for movement extremely carefully and responsibly. When choosing a lane for driving around the ring, you should start from the specific situation. So, if you need to drive straight along the ring, it is better to use the center or right lane. If you need to turn right, you can do so only from the right lane, unless the lane direction is set. To turn left, it is best to give preference to the leftmost lane.
The ring, in fact, is by default the main road, and the exits from it are secondary. On the above-mentioned section of the road, the rules allow you to advance and stop if necessary (but remember, stopping is only allowed at a distance of 5 meters from the nearest adjacent road).
Leaving a roundabout should be done with extreme caution and caution. The rules strictly require leaving the specified section of the road exclusively from the extreme right lane. Although at large intersections, for example, two lanes (properly marked, of course) may be allocated for exiting to the right. Taking this into account, before the maneuver you should move your car to the appropriate lane in advance, without interfering with other motorists, and only with this condition exit.
Penalties for non-compliance with traffic rules
The main penalty for inattentive and negligent drivers is a fine. The fine for various violations varies from 500 rubles to 5,000. So, if you stop in the wrong place, you will be fined 500 rubles, and if you enter the roundabout under a prohibiting traffic light, neglecting the requirements of the law will cost 1,000 rubles. Repeating the same violations entails more serious consequences, namely a much larger fine - 5,000 rubles; an alternative to a monetary penalty is deprivation of the right to drive a vehicle for a period of 4 months to six months, the period of deprivation depends on the specific circumstances of the offense.
Innovations in the rules for driving around roundabouts are aimed at reducing dangerous situations and bringing them closer to European standards.
The introduction of innovations to the rules for driving around roundabouts is aimed at reducing dangerous and difficult situations on this difficult section of the road and bringing them closer to European standards. When driving around the ring, a motorist simply needs to monitor as closely as possible not only compliance with the rules, wisely choose a lane for further movement, clearly change lanes, but also adequately assess the overall situation. Thus, knowledge of the main points within this topic will allow you not only to save your money, avoid unwanted meetings with traffic police officers, but also to arrive at your destination calmly and unhindered.