The Roundabout

One of the big differences between driving in the US and Australia is the roundabout. Many of you remember the scene in the movie, National Lampoons European Vacation when Chevy Chase gets stuck in the Lambeth Bridge roundabout, constantly pointing out “Big Ben, Parliament” to his kids as he drives around in circles. I totally get it now.

In the States, every once in a while you come across what we a call a “traffic circle” but they are typically controlled by traffic lights or fairly easy to navigate. Not in Australia. While I am pretty comfortable with driving on the left side of the road (although I have almost had two head on collisions when turning), I am still trying to master the roundabout.

A roundabout is a traffic filter that typically has four options for movement (unless there are other intersecting streets). You can go left, straight, right, or make a u turn. They are placed in both small and large intersections.The indicator (or the blinker) plays a significant role in the process. If you do not use the indicator correctly you can easily end up in an accident. Just to make the situation more confusing, our GPS (which I rely on and trust wholeheartedly) refers to the exits at the roundabout by number (make a left = turn at exit one, go straight = turn at exit two, etc). I find myself counting as I work my way around and around…

Driving here requires that you know the standard rules of the roundabout. At roundabouts, there are no traffic lights, only “give-way” signs (equivalent to the yield sign), which make for a high pressure situation.

From left: roundabout left turn, straight, right turn, courtesy of the Roads and Traffic Authority, NSW

Approaching the roundabout (full concentration mode, blood pressure rising, butterflies, heart palpitations) you indicate which direction you are going.  Always “give way” to the cars on your right. If nothing is coming, it’s your turn to filter your way through. Sounds simple (and will someday probably be second nature) but it definitely involves some serious training.

Sequence 01, apparently the bus just drives over the hump

Thanks to Kate’s dad (thanks, Bill!) for the lessons and this helpful paper, Roundabouts in Australia, written for the National Roundabout Conference in Kansas City in 2008. Who knew? Once you get the hang of the roundabout, they are actually kind of fun. A bit of a rush. 

Sequence 02

Some roundabout humor...