Thread: Turning left at Red Lights

Roundabout Rules WA. The only issue is some states can vary.
The main one is proceeding straight through. Most small roundabouts it is not feasible to indicate left after passing the last left exit, so is accepted you dont indicate if proceeding straight through. However people forget that on a larger roundabout you must signal. What I have found in WA is over 50% of drivers seem to think indicating full stop is optional.

Rules of Roundabouts

Each country and sometimes each state, has its own rules for using roundabouts. The following roundabout rules are for Western Australia.
The general rules applicable to all vehicles using a roundabout are that you must:

• always keep left of the central island
• always travel in a clockwise direction
• give way to all vehicles who are already travelling within the roundabout
• follow the direction of any painted lines on the road of the lane you are in

When turning left at a roundabout you must:

• approach from the left lane
• indicate that you are turning left before you reach the roundabout
• stay in the left lane
• exit in the left lane

When turning right or making a U turn at a roundabout you must:

• approach from the right lane
• indicate that you are turning right before you reach the roundabout
• stay in the right lane
• when you have past the last exit, before the one you want to get out at, indicate you are going to turn left

When driving straight through a roundabout you must:

• use the left or right lane and stay in that same lane, unless road markings or signs tell you otherwise
• indicate left, if you can, after you have passed the last exit before the one you want to get out at
• you do not need to indicate when you are coming up to the roundabout if you are going straight ahead

Originally Posted by ATH

Always amazes me at the confusion caused by roundabouts here in WA and indeed across. Oz. Trouble is everyone thinks it's their God given right to push and shove with no consideration for other drivers.
Of course actually giving an indication of intentions is not on either as it's no else's business where they're going.... that was the attitude of a manager I had the misfortune to work under years ago!
I've always reckoned Britain and Europe would seize solid in a few days if Main Roads WA were in charge of road design. :-))
AlanH.

Over the years I have taught many to drive, both cars and trucks and when a learner driver faces a round about for the first time they do so with more fear than any other aspect of learning to drive regardless of how much theory has been given on the subject and this comes back to the ability of the driver trainer to be able to pass on knowledge which a lot of driving instructors do not have, You should never put a learner into a multi lane round about first up Qld. and other states require a learner to have a 100 hours before being able to obtain a licence, so friends or family has to be able to teach due to the $$$ factor I taught my two kids to drive and now I am teaching my grand children to drive and I have had their friends come to me and ask can I give them their last few hours before their test If I am able to do so the first thing I do is put them through a multi lane round about with five streets intersecting and is always full on, just watching the reaction the student tells me their level of driving and their confidence A good trainer should be able to install confidence which many can not, I feel that most driving schools are only teach the basics just enough to obtain a licence I could write a book on my driver training experiences.
Then we have the problem with the older generation that were driving before round about and freeways were ever used in this country ( mid 1950 ) they were not educated in the true scene of roundabouts or many other matters in every day diving eg. merging on to a freeway and I find them to be the worst of all, and I find a lot today are passing on their lack of knowledge to the younger I feel that the problems that have been talked about in the post above and others will never go away.
on the subject of round about rules Craig the rules in Qld are the same Can not say for sure about the other states but what you have posted is logical and what I teach.
Hodgo

Hi,
The key is "when safe to do so"
I interpret that as my action should not cause any one else to be concerned or need to take any action at all due to my actions.
It is the same as overtaking cyclists and crossing the center double line to do so. My action should not cause any other driver to react to my manoever.
Or have I got this totally wrong.
Cheers

Originally Posted by austastar

Hi,
The key is "when safe to do so"
I interpret that as my action should not cause any one else to be concerned or need to take any action at all due to my actions.
It is the same as overtaking cyclists and crossing the center double line to do so. My action should not cause any other driver to react to my manoever.
Or have I got this totally wrong.
Cheers

I dont feel you are wrong providing that what you have done knowing that its safe to do so, This my sound stupid to some but if I have to do some thing and another vehicle is or could be effected by my actions I try to signal my intentions and make eye contact with the other driver I saying this I always drive to the condition (which means when safe to do) and my ability.

I figure if you always expect the unexpected , and not take the road , or track , for that matter, then an escape from a situation is possible . A driving instructor once told me treat the others as less competent and allow for their mistakes. So if you are a bit slower getting somewhere , at least you make it safely.

I always assume every other driver is drunk, drugged, incompetent, un-licensed, blind & an idiot!
I'm always thinking what do I do if they do something stupid?

So far this has worked well.

We all make mistakes, miss judgments so you have to be ready for that.

Jonesfam

Originally Posted by jx2mad

In NSW there are some intersections with a sign saying "left turn on red after stopping" Seems to work well

Yep agree, seems to work well as far as I've noticed, it's a welcome relief here in the Sydney basin, unless you've driven in Sydney traffic, you have no idea what bad traffic is, those drivers from other states that have, usually don't complain about the traffic at home as much anymore

Originally Posted by jonesfam

I always assume every other driver is drunk, drugged, incompetent, un-licensed, blind & an idiot!
I'm always thinking what do I do if they do something stupid?

So far this has worked well.

We all make mistakes, miss judgments so you have to be ready for that.

Jonesfam

This assumption is the only assumption anyone should make.
This assumption should also be made driving rule NUMBER ONE!!!!!