Welcome to this blog on How to deal with Southall roundabouts.
Like them or hate them, Southall roundabouts are everywhere on the Southall test route. It’s important to understand How to deal with Southall roundabouts if you’re going to pass your driving test at Southall driving test centre. With this guide on How to deal with Southall roundabouts, we’ll show you what lane you will need to get into for turning left, turning right and going ahead at all the Southall roundabouts.
An important part of dealing with roundabouts in Southall is being prepared as you approach them and knowing where you’re going before you enter and which lane to get into early as possible.
The Pinner roundabouts come in many different variety and sizes, sometimes with multiple exits, lanes and traffic light controlled.
How to approach roundabouts on the Southall driving test routes.
First of all, Strat your MSM (mirror, signal & manoeuvre) routine early and get into the correct lane as early as possible. Approach the roundabout carefully. Looking early to your right and ahead, giving way to the traffic on the right.
Keep a look out for vulnerable road users e.g cyclists, motorcyclists, scooter users and horse riders. Pedestrian crossings can also be found near the entrances or exits of Pinner roundabouts.
Dealing with hesitation in How to deal with Southall roundabouts.
Look early and establish if it’s an open or closed junction. If the Southall roundabout is open and you can see it’s clear then make sure you go, don’t hesitate. Try to anticipate where other drivers are going that are already on the roundabout. Watch the other vehicles position, speed and angle of the vehicle. If you notice them leaving the roundabout to the exit where you’re coming from than there might be an opportunity for you to join. Don’t rely on other drivers in the Pinner area to indicate as they often don’t or they signal incorrectly.
Turn left, or first exit on the How to deal with Southall roundabouts.
On approach to the roundabout:
1. (M) Check your mirrors.
2. (S) When safe to do so.
3. (M) Get into or stay in the left hand lane early. At least 6-8 car lengths away
4. Start to slow down, dropping down into 2nd gear. Identify if it’s an open or closed junction.
5. Look ahead and to your right. Looking for gaps.
6. Once you have an opportunity to go, go and keep left.
Follow the road ahead, or second exit on the How to deal with Southall roundabouts.
Some people may wrongly describe this as going straight on at a roundabout. Going ‘straight’ is something you don’t want to do at a roundabout!
When approaching, look out for any road markings or signs that might tell you which lane to use.
1. If there are no markings or signs telling you any different keep in the left lane.
2. Check your mirrors, approach carefully, looking to your right and ahead. Give way to the right as usual.
3. Once you have an opportunity to your right, go and keep in the left hand lane (keep in the left lane as a vehicle might be in the lane next to you). Once you’re on the roundabout look out for vehicles approaching the roundabout as they sometimes stop too late and you might have to adjust your position (if it’s safe).
4. Check your mirrors (especially the left-hand one) and signal left after you’ve passed the exit before the one you want. Indicating left informs others that you are exiting.
Many people fail their driving test Pinner for not keeping in lane. Make sure that you don’t fail for this common mistake.
Following the road ahead at multi-lane How to deal with Pinner roundabouts.
On approach to the roundabout:
1. Check your mirrors
2. Keep in the left-hand lane, unless signs or markings tell you otherwise. On our example roundabout (top picture) the middle lane would be used for overtaking if there is congestion. The road markings might indicate that the left-hand lane would be used for only turning left (lower picture).
3. Road markings can also show you road names, numbers and town names to help you choose the correct lane.
Turn right, or third exit on How to deal with Southall roundabouts.
On approach look out for any road markings or signs that might tell you which lane to move into.
1. If there are no road markings then check mirrors, signal right and move into the right hand lane.
2. Approach carefully, looking to your right and ahead. Give way to the right as usual.
3. Once you have an opportunity to your right, go and keep right (there may be a vehicle in the lane next to you, so keep to the right).
4. Check your mirrors (especially the left-hand one) and signal left after you’ve passed the exit before the one you want. Indicating left informs others that you are exiting.
5. Move to the left and exit.
Note: Turning right doesn’t always mean that it will be the 3rd exit or more. On this sign you can see that going towards Shirley is to the right but it’s the 2nd exit. Here you would still need the right-hand lane and signal right on approach.
Multi-lane traffic light controlled How to deal with Southall roundabouts.
Traffic light controlled roundabouts are a lot safer as they control the flow of traffic and there is no need to give-way to the right. It is still well worth checking to the right when you have a green traffic light as other drivers sometimes go through red lights when they shouldn’t. Emergency vehicles also go through red lights so be careful.
Sometimes the roundabout will have a combination of traffic lights and give-way lines to be aware of. If you have give-way lines then give-way to the right as normal.
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