How to navigate a double lane traffic circle

August 25, 2010 15:22 by Marc in South African Culture

At least once a day, I see a car almost getting taken out at a traffic circle. People STILL don’t know how to use them, even though they are so simple.This one is from the Joblog boys. Posted back in ’05, and still so very relevant every single day (Thanks Guys)

The Arrive Alive site also has a really good illustration and animation showing you how to navigate a circle

The diagram above illustrates your everyday traffic circle, or roundabout as some may know it.

Contrary to popular belief, you may not drive wherever the hell you like on whatever side of the road you have chosen i.e. left or right. This diagram shows clearly which direction you may go, depending on which side of the road you are driving.

1. The yellow arrow indicators show you that there are only TWO (2) possible directions to take when on the left hand side of the road, or, outside lane.

2. The blue arrow indicators show that there are also TWO (2) possible directions to take when on the right hand side of the road, or, inside lane.

3. The red indicator arrows show when some idiot decides to take the road-law into his own hands, ending up in an accident, often resulting in an angry argument and possibly a restraining order for use of bad language and throwing punches.

You may be wondering where the blue indicator arrows go to from there? Well, my dears, the rules start all over again. They may go straight, or right again. It’s that simple.

About the Author

Written by Marc

iPhone Guru//Gadget freak//Triple dad//Top KZN Blogger//TweetAddic//Macboy//Sports fundi//Beer drinker//A little bit of everything for everyone :)

11 Responses to How to navigate a double lane traffic circle

Charlie August 25, 2010 at 15:36
Dang!! Try and explain that to a taxi!!! ;)
The Extremist August 25, 2010 at 16:30
This is a very necessary tutorial. Some days I wonder how such a car-centric country can have such bad drivers.

Of course, this tutorial completely breaks down at two-lane traffic circles that only have one exiting lane in or more of the four exits.
Steph August 25, 2010 at 16:31
The easiest for me is the European way.

If you want to exit the traffic circle you must be on the outer lane before your exit!
And even more annoying, yield to traffic already in the circle bliksem

But it is true the legislation is so vague in ZA
El Hombre August 25, 2010 at 17:11
What I also see are people using indicators to drive straight through a circle …. WTF??!!??
Jason August 25, 2010 at 17:16
What if I want to make a u-turn? Then I must be in the third imaginary lane?
Steph August 25, 2010 at 17:19
@Jason you can only do a U-Turn if you drive a Toyota Hiace with with white bands on your tires
HelenG August 25, 2010 at 18:44
Dbn drivers and NJ drivers are the worst. They treat circles as chicanes, 4 way stops as freeways and robots as yield signs
BiancaW August 26, 2010 at 08:10
This needs to be placed on billboards all over our country, in newspapers, taught over the radio, shown at the movies – everywhere we possibly can! It really is NOT that hard!
Darryl August 26, 2010 at 08:38
This needs to be put full page in every news paper!
paul elliott July 27, 2011 at 10:31
In theory this is wrong as you cannat drive past an exit on the outside lane
Steph July 27, 2011 at 10:45
@Paul Elliot, if in SA is like in the rest of the world –> if want to go out of the circle you must be on the outer circle klaar! You cannot bolt from the inner lane to an exit.
so I concur with you 100%