Which side on the Round-a-bouts?

The way i understand it is this: When you are on a 2 lane road coming up to a roundabout, if you are in the right lane you go round the roundabout and go straight on. If you are in the outside lane you can also go round the roundabout and go straight on. If you want to take an exit half -way round the roundabout, you stay in the OUTSIDE lane and then indicate RIGHT when you reach the exit. There really is NO point in having a 2 lane road, if people that want to go straight on which is about 70% of them, have to pull into the inside lane 100 metres before the roundabout to do so. The idea i thought of 2 lanes was so that both lanes could go across the roundabout together, so as to keep the traffic moving.

Bob.

I drove in Barcelona ONCE. Never again. There were skid marks - not on the road. Eventaully I paid a taxi and tailgated him through the city to my destination. 

 Explains why I've on sooo many occasions had cause to use a variety of profanities!!  AND it totally goes against all logic and the whole engineering of traffic flow around the circles!!  Technically, if you are on the outside (left-hand) lane you could end up going round and round the damn thing if traffic keeps entering at each entry road on the inside!!     You'd never get off the damn thing!!

What are thoes white paint lines on the road ?

Just forget about them and see how many times you can cross them when

going around that round shape thing that someone has put in your way. Just 

point to where you want to go and ignore anyone else . You will then become a fully

qualified Spanish driver.

P.S. You can tell the tourist - he is the guy using his indicators.     

Hi folks, first post on here so here goes.

this thread brought back memories of the magic roundabout in Swindon

I first came across it when  truck driving in the 70's

I think it might still fear a few people today the first time they see it.

Google 'Magic roundabout Swindon'  for Pics.

someone may be able to upload some pics of it.

Orry

 Hi Orry

I just Googled it and it looks like a complete nightmare!

There's a good reason not to live in Swindon 

Justin

Hi Justin

I took my HGV class 1 C + E.  Test in Swindon.

The Test included this roundabout. It looks a lot easier from the Air.

I am back in Spain later today Yip Yip EEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!!!

Been through it a few times. All you need is confidence and a big white van.

The main problem with the UK is that they are forever painting arrows on the road not thinking that these will be obscured by the vehicle(s) in front of you, leaving you clueless 90pc of the time.

I used to drive through the Magic Roundabout in Swindon twice  day and never had a problem. You have to pick the best route as you approach. As said earlier, confidence is the best tool.

How glad I am not to be in Swindon anymore, though (or anywhere else in UK for that matter!)

The rules for using roundabouts were devised to avoid anybody cutting in front of another vehicle. It should not be a question of getting familiar with different rules in different countries. There can only be one set of rules and any change to this set of rules causes accidents. The confusion caused is not exclusive to foreign drivers. Why on earth do the Spanish authorities think their highway code should use a different set of rules? The number of accidents and close shaves I've seen on roundabouts here is rediculous. It makes absolutely no sense at all.

The council have replaced the iron barriers on the corner of the roundabout that I pass daily, after they were wiped out a couple of weeks ago. This morning I saw a cyclist almost get wiped out while traversing the roundabout, perfectly correctly - by an ambulance. And no, it wasn't on an emergency call. It just drove out onto the roundabout from a side road without looking, slowing down, or apparently paying any attention whatsoever to what was going on around it. I guess if you're going to get whacked by a vehicle while peddaling along, it might as well be an ambulance. But it doesn't inspire much confidence in your chances of even arriving at the hospital safely after an accident.

 If not sure which lane to be in for turning left, right or straight ahead just do what they do in Murcia. Straddle both lanes by driving in the middle of the road. No indicators either.

 Or do like I do.  Treat everybody like they were a BMW driver and give them plenty of room to perform in.

The major problem is that Pedro was on his donkey only a few generations back.

It will take a little more time before he is able to assimulate with modern traffic.

 John

(PS.    I have dual Nationality Irish and British,  Patrick don't encourage Irish jokes please)

Edited to remove coloured background

I think johnzx you have completely missed the point.

I have driven in every continent on the planet except Antarctica and I love living in Spain. Let me repeat that this should not be a question of getting famiiar with different rules in different countries.  Only one set of rules keeps accidents to a minimum. Any diversion from these rules increases the risk of an accident. There are no "ifs" or "buts" here.  This has nothing to do with race or culture. It has to do with reducing the accident rates. 

I love your comment, "They drive on the left but I live in Spain where they drive on the right, Partick, should I drive down the middle of the road ????"

Do I really need to tell you that the rules reverse depending on what side of the road you drive on?

Good Heavens! Whatever you do, please do not drive in the middle of the road. It is recommended that you try to find out beforehand, in the country that you are driving, which side of the road they drive on. It will go a long way to reducing the risk of a collision. Better still, if you are that unsure then please stay out of the driving seat! 

Sorry, johnzx. Not personal. Just my sense of humour.

I read on here some time ago the only rule you need to know when driving in Spain which is whoever gets there first has right of way. This applies to roundabouts, when joining motorways etc.

You join a roundabout from whichever lane is going to get you onto it most quickly, dive out into the first available space then make your way to your chosen exit going as close to the other roundabout users as you dare without actually touching them. As this is what you are expected to do no one gets upset.

Since understanding this rule I have been getting on just fine driving in Spain. It's a bit scary for your passengers but quite fun really.