US VS. UK DRIVING CONDITIONS | The Postmodern Family EP#96
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- čas přidán 29. 08. 2024
- Felipe and Lillian talk about differences between driving in America and the UK.
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Yes Lillian, we in the UK have developed a technique for driving. We call it "looking where you're going". 😉
i guess Im kinda randomly asking but do anyone know of a good place to watch new series online ?
The way most Brits drive promotes cooperation and politeness. Always wave to say thanks when someone let's you into traffic or turn ahead of them.
The way we are taught to drive is to promote co-operation, exercise courtesy and politeness. Then, it's not long before the teaching is forgotten and gets thrown out of the window by the minority of the impatient, inconsiderate and ignorant drivers amongst us.
hahahahahahahahaha.....
i guess you don't drive much in south london... politeness = weakness. We still wave thank u but there is a powerful understated F.you behind the gesture. And the eyes.
Fun fact: The clip opens with Lillian talking about tree branches. This leads directly to why we drive on the left. Drivers of wagons and stagecoaches almost invariably sit on the right...because most people are right handed, so if they sat on the left then they'd keep hitting the "shotgun" rider on the head with the whip. You can see this even in Western movies. Therefore wagons are naturally right-hand-drive; and the most natural place for the driver to be is near the middle of the road, so that the whip has less chance of catching overhead branches on narrow roads. Hence we drive on the left. Not sure why everybody else thought it was a good idea to do otherwise.
American roads were built for cars. As our history goes way way back UK roads were originally built for horses and some even date back to roman times. Obviously motorways are purpose built but country roads are centuries old. They just have tarmac built over what used to be farmtracks.
Makes sense
The Roman ones are some of the best!
there is a good mapping site where you can show an old map with a modern one so that you can compare what the roads were like. maps.nls.uk/geo/explore/side-by-side/#zoom=14&lat=50.7549&lon=-1.9146&layers=168&right=BingRoad
@@SvenTviking The Romans often followed the the roads tta
Road routes that that were already being used.
Filipe you are correct about how to indicate when going straight over a roundabout
Yep he's correct - left lane +indicator is 1st exit, left lane no indication is straight (indicate after passing first exit).
Yep - just treat it as a load of left turns that someone has lifted up and wrapped into a circle. Therefore you indicate left before the one you want.
On a 2-lane roundabout; approach on left lane to take 1st exit; use either approaching lanes; to go straight on (2nd exit) ; right-hand lane to take 3rd exit.
If you're going straight on, exit the roundabout on the same land that you entered.
Actually, as Mythbusters proved a few years back, roundabouts are the best way of maintaining the maximum possible traffic flow through junctions where a bridge or tunnel isn't feasible. Many busy and slow-moving intersections in the States would be greatly improved if they were converted to roundabouts.
THey're perfectly safe, provided you know how to driver properly
Left is for left and straight on. Right lane is for turning right at the roundabout
When going straight at a roundabout stay left unless otherwise instructed by road markings. They left out junction boxes, maybe they find those way too complicated or scary.
Beppe Sapone Yeah thought I’d just keep it simple
Not always.
Left lane is only ever guaranteed to be the first exit. Read the highway code if you think otherwise.
Multi lane entry, multi lane exit? Chances are there is signage.
2 lanes in, only 2 exits with a single lane on each... regardless of positioning of exit ( e.g. exit 1 and 9 o'clock, and exit 2 at 12 o'clock) it'll be left lane to take the first, right lane to take the second and go straight over.
If you were to be in the left hand lane to go straight over, you'd be in the wrong. Left lane is only ever guaranteed to be the first exit.
As for signalling. 1st exit? Signal left. Last exit signal right. Any intermediate exit, no signal on entry, signal on exit. However if it's a multi exit roundabout you'll generally see folk signalling right on entry for any exit past 12 o'clock.
M3ta7h3ad Like I said. I thought I’d just keep it simple.
My family from America often visit and as I'm nipping round country lanes the always ask "is this one way". When I say no it's two way, cue facial contortion.
Those pull outs on single rack roads are called ‘passing places’, have you perfected the 4 finger lift? When you lift your fingers of the driving wheel to thank another driver. When a multi lane road splits, rather than a slip road exit, the white line lane markings between the 2 roads change, they get shorter and closer together. The UK has some of the safest roads in the world.
On motorways there is no “Fast” or “Slow” lanes. The left hand lane is the travelling lane, the middle and right hand lane are overtaking lanes. You will find idiots travelling in the middle and right hand lanes even when not overtaking. Undertaking is illegal.
Mark Peacock if there is a lane hogger, passing on the left is considered safer than moving across to the outside lane then back across to the normal driving lane.
Undertaking isn’t illegal.
George Hurst . This is the official police statement on undertaking:
“Do not overtake on the left or move to a lane on your left to overtake. In congested conditions, where adjacent lanes of traffic are moving at similar speeds, traffic in left-hand lanes may sometimes be moving faster than traffic to the right. In these conditions you may keep up with the traffic in your lane even if this means passing traffic to your right. Do not weave in and out of lanes to overtake.
If you undertake other than in the circumstances described above on a motorway/dual carriage way, you could commit an offence.”
Mark Peacock say the motorway is empty bar my car and another. I’m approaching in the left lane doing 70mph. Other guy is in the middle lane doing 60mph. So in that case, my lane is moving faster than his lane. Therefore passing on the left is fine? As per the police guidelines you posted?
That’s what they told us in the advanced driving course anyway. They teach that if you are in the left lane and you encounter a driver in the middle lane for no reason that it is better to stay in your current lane and pass on the left. This was Avon and Somerset police.
+George Hurst Well now you've just shown your hand, you want to be right even though you're completely wrong. Be more subtle and don't ignore half of the statement you're ridiculing. "In congested conditions, where adjacent lanes of traffic are moving at similar speeds". If you don't understand what this means then you shouldn't be driving. It certainly doesn't mean "if the motorway is empty".
Person Oisels I just repeated what Avon and Somerset police told us on the driving course. “If you’re in the left lane approaching a ‘lane hogger’, it’s generally safer to pass on the left rather than move from first to third lane and back”.
Like I said, just repeating what I was told. There’s no need to be personal.
Highway code is left lane for left turn and straight over, right lane for everything else. If you are turning left you indicate before you reach the roundabout, if you are going straight you don't indicate until you have passed the first exit. If you are turning right you indicate right before you reach the roundabout, then as you pass the exit before your intended exit you indicate left and change to the outside lane then take your exit. If you're not doing it this way then you are doing it wrong.
You've omitted the fact that you CAN use the right-hand lane to go straight on.
jdb47games only if its explicitly signposted to do so, which goes without saying.
You can use the right hand lane to go straight if there are two lanes on the exit; otherwise it's left hand lane to go straight. I don't think it was in the highway code when I did my test, but is in it now.
You have to be careful about that, because I know roundabouts where there are only two lanes approaching the roundabout and the left lane is for left turning only (e.g. some of the roundabouts on the Harrogate bypass).
You also need to remember VW - Audi drivers can drive in any lane they like and, of course, they don't have indicators fitted to their cars.
Love your kid in the back adjusting the mirror with her foot.
A "lay-by" is for parking in - on a single lane road you have "passing places".
Stopping to let someone turn across you is not illegal, just better to check behind you before doing it.
Sometimes this is a crash for cash scam, they will slow and flash you then drive into you, leaving you on the wrong side of the road and the law. There is nothing in the highway code about flashing headlamps and police say you should only take it as a warning.
windshear33. Highway Code rule 110: "Flashing headlights. Only flash your headlights to let other road users know that you are there. Do not flash your headlights to convey any other message or intimidate other road users."
Rule 111: "Never assume that flashing headlights is a signal inviting you to proceed. Use your own judgement and proceed carefully."
www.gov.uk/guidance/the-highway-code/general-rules-techniques-and-advice-for-all-drivers-and-riders-103-to-158
No one said to stop ! Just slow down a little to create a gap for them to quickly turn ! Stopping would obviously be dangerous .
Happens all time in the US on multilane commercial/shopping streets causing accidents as different lanes proceed.
William Lucas on a multi lane road it wouldn't generally happen here in the UK. As you say that'd be mental and dangerous.
The highway code explicitly says you stay in the left land for straight ahead unless the markings say otherwise. DO NOT signal to the right if you are going straight through.
If there is someone waiting to enter the roundabout at the first turn I indicate right to let them know I'm not turning first left. Then indicate left at my turn. It's safer
when i took driving lessons I was told you always use the left lane to go straight ahead unless that roundabout has signs suggesting otherwise
People fly through country lanes round by us, our local lanes are full of hot hatches outside of peak time. Difference is they all pay attention and are expecting a car/pedestrian/horse to be around every turn so the brake to a slow speed, enter the corner, and gun it when they can see there's clear road around the bend
Drive in Swindon and experience The Magic Roundabout for the full roundabout experience
always loved the magic roundabout
I don't think that they are to far away from Swindon. The road at 3:27 is the A417 and the slip road is going onto the M5 north at Junction 11a.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_Roundabout_(Hemel_Hempstead)
Or Saddler's Farm that was in Essex.
Yea that's why when my football team plays Swindon I take the train .
I read a recent study that says (and I agree) that too much signage, for example Stop and Yield signage in the USA has created lazy drivers who don’t need to pay attention as they are told what to do. In the U.K. the ‘signage’ is mainly lines on the road so you have to pay attention. I don’t need a stop or yield sign to tell me to be careful at any junction but being made to stop at a junction that is clear both ways is ridiculous. I’m an British expat in the USA.
Hi to you both. How to approach a roundabout. Firstly, I have been a driving instructor for 16 years in the UK. If there are 2 lanes and no arrows on the road the left lane at a roundabout is for left and straight and the right for right. The exceptions are when there are white arrows on the road which tell you something different. See Highway Code £2.50
Good video, but disagree on lane-hogging, it can be terrible, particularly at weekend - left lane clear so it effectively turns a three lane motorway into two because of a few inconsiderate people and apparently we aren't supposed to undertake, although I don't know if it's the law or not.
Flashing headlights in the UK indicates that the person in the car flashing is allowing you to complete a manoeuvre. It is not recognised in the driving laws of the UK but it's a polite thing to do.
As for roundabouts, I'm not surprised you find them confusing because most Brits don't know what to do at a roundabout either.
Many of the narrow country roads are hundreds if not a couple of thousand years old, the same goes with the hedgerows, they may have been growing for centuries and people get very upset if they think you are planning to damage them y widening the road or building nearby . They were Built for a cart not a car, but usually there are a lot of built in passing points. Also the speed limit is 60mph on a lot of them, CRAZY I never drive that fast through them, you don't know if there are horses pedestrians , a tractor or even some idiot driving at 60mph coming your way.
Or road works around the next corner!! I nearly had a bad crash with those.
Driving with my British friends through the New Forest I could not get over the passing points (laybys?) on those narrow country roads." How do you do it at night and/or in bad weather?",I asked;"You get used to it' they said,- 'like the roundabouts". OH......
Gary L it's often better at night because headlights give you a good warning that there's an incoming car!
we have a lot of single track roads in Scotland, we use passing places, if a car is approaching whoever has the passing place on their side pulls in, unless the other car gets there ahead of you in which case they wait opposite so you can pull in, simple really
if the corner is completely blind and you cannot see around it, sometimes a good use of the horn can serve its purpose of 'alerting others to your vehicles presence' as written in the highway code. Otherwise you get used to which areas have large amounts of people coming and you adjust your speed, it is very much possible to maintain a good 50-60mph on those roads, only to be slowed down by the old people with nothing better to do with their lives, thank god over taking is legal
After years of "careful research", I have discovered that the best way to drive in the UK is in the passenger seat of a car driven by a British person. But then again, I do not live there, so it's easy for me to say. You have to remember that people have been living in the UK for thousands of years, so some of those narrow roads could go back to Medieval times, Roman times and even earlier="You ain't in Baltimore (or Florida) any more". In re. Florida: one of the reasons traffic is so bad is that we have so many visitors from all over the world, not just the USA + our beloved "Snowbirds" who bring all of their bad driving habits back with them and get lost or just don't know where the h---ll (rhymes with swell) they are going, or how to get there, e.g. Backing up-On the Interstate! Or stopping on a bridge-To take pictures! Classic Florida Bumper Sticker:" WE DON'T CARE HOW YOU DID THINGS IN OHIO". Have a great day and drive safely-on the LEFT!
Just the opposite would happen in the USA, but then again we don't have any handy Roman, or Medieval structures to demolish.
The road number featured on their satnav the A419 is built on and follows mostly the old roman road, Ermin street.
medieval, some of the roads go back further, to really evil times!
From London to York NON-STOP(well almost non-stop)!
Correct sir about the reason for narrow highways. Also we drive on the left ( *THE CORRECT SIDE* ) because again it goes back to the Romans. Riders travelled on the left to keep their sword arm free, mostly right handed, to oncoming riders/robbers. You might ask, what about the left handers, well it's a Darwinian thing. Also the steering wheel is on the *RIGHT* side :p
when someone slows down and flashes you to turn right, they are not doing it just for you, they do it for the queue of traffic behind you. if i don't let you turn right, it is me who is holding up the traffic flow more than it is you.
Loved this video, thanks guys and love the way you love driving in the UK
UK Driving instructor here. Google "Highway Code". This will correct many of the erroneous ideas you have.
It’s simple approaching a two lane roundabout - if you’re going straight across use either lane, keep in that lane on the roundabout and exit in that same lane. Only indicate when leaving the roundabout. It you’re turning left enter in the left land and if turning right enter in the right lane indicating as you enter the roundabout.
In Ottawa Canada they drive like the UK, and they use the offside to overtake and the near side to cruise.
Here's a little trick for you, if you want to go left but there's a long queue, get into the right turn lane and go around the roundabout. As you approach your exit you'll have right of way.
That road configuration where it narrows both sides is called a chicane.
I think the roundabout thing is; there are usually two lanes into the roundabout, and two lanes straight on going off, so stay in your lane; if entering in the left lane, exit in the left, if entering in the right, exit in the right.
As a Scot living in Germany I can appreciate the difficulties you faced. Driving here is fun but fraught with unexpected hazards. Good video and nice storyboard sketches. Well done.
I used to love driving in Germany, no speed limit unless one is posted, found myself doing 110mph on the autobahn - quite legally! Loved the narrow village roads too,
Would this be the autobarns that have various speed limited over 90 mile an hour . And more medi vac helicopters then any other nation in europe
My driving instructor gave me sound advice about roundabouts if your turning is past 12 o’clock use it like a clock, enter either lane but if turning left indicate if you go straight indicate when you pass the unwanted turn. Felipe was right no signal for straight ahead until you pass the last turning on the left.
I was told first exit is LEFT second exit is classed as straight on all other exists are RIGHTS
Sorry but it;s you that are wrong! Some roundabouts may have specific advisory direction lanes but a second exit just past 12 o clock does not denote you should be in the right hand lane, this is made up nonsense and not in the HC. You approach in the left lane and may indicate right if the exit is far enough over, say around the 3 o clock position but is not necessary as the accepted norm is no indication to go 'straight on' even if that exit isn't precisely opposite your approach lane. it also removes potential conflict with those wishing to take the same second 'straight on' exit but are in the left lane.
There's a roundabout near me that really grinds my gears. (Love that phrase :P) There are two lanes approaching the roundabout widening to three as you reach the roundabout then when you get onto the roundabout there are two lanes. So. Three cars abreast driving onto a roundabout with two lanes. Gotta question the IQ of the road planner there.
When my American gf comes to the UK she finds it hilarious we have road signs saying that the road will narrow. As she says that all of the roads are narrow! :)
It's not illegal to stop or slow down and let somebody turn right, but technically speaking, the flashing of lights is the illegal part (even though it's almost universal). Flashing headlamps is only meant to be used as a hazard warning. What you are meant to do is wave somebody across. However, be wary. Being let in does not absolve the driver of responsibility to check and for anybody waving a vehicle through, that should only be done having established it's safe to do so. If there was an accident and it came to court then responsibility could be allocated to both drivers in the even it was an unsafe manoeuvre.
Nb. Felipe is correct about roundabout signalling.
From driving in the US it feels like a free-for-all with people passing in any lane they like. It didn't seem like there were any rules on it at all. Here we just have idiots sitting in the middle lane.
As an American who lived in the UK for 5 years I can concur that unlike American's, UK drivers do not drive with their egos. This is why there are not 20 mile long lines (queues) to merge.
GPS is Global Positioning System :)
I always thought the s was service
Wee tip for reading road maps in the UK. The big cities are in one font style and the small cities in another and the big towns in another, and so on. But the bigger cities will be signposted from any distance, small cities when it's the closest small city in that direction, and so on. So you can memorise "Go to Birmingham, when you get to Oxford just past it you see the sign for Yarnton. Take that and you will get there. Birmingham will be signposted from anywhere. Oxford may not until you get closer. And so on. So you can plan your route by looking for the big city you're heading to and then as you get closer noting the name of the place that is next smaller. And the font styles indicate exactly how they appear in the road signs.
For example you won't see Yarnton until you're very close to Oxford. You won't see Oxford until you've passed Bristol or Reading or whatever.
If you bare in mind some of those small country roads follow routes which could be dated back thousands of years and follow either old Parish boundaries or trading routes from the iron age Even many of our modern motorways can trace their history to this time period
If they are dead straight they are almost certainly Roman.
"bear in mind" please. Standards Andrew !
I've grown to love these videos, you are a very engaging couple. You are right British drivers are very considerate most of the time, but over the years I have noticed a drop in the number of people thanking you if you are considerate. As for cars that park opposite each other, that is illegal and is called double parking. Thank you for the entertainment and please keep it up.
Motorway forking, you can tell when its going to split. the lines will become very short - - - - - - - instead of ---- ---- ---- ----
Trucker Jay In the UK jjjfjjjjmjmjjjfjjjjmjjjmmmjjjggfjmjmmmmmmmmmj: f
??
That's exactly right, TJ. If the line on your right has become very short dashes then you're in the lane that will shortly be turning off. (That will also be indicated by signage -- but one of the problems with Satnav is that some drivers have come to be so reliant upon it that they tend to pay little attention to directional signs!)
the traffic signs approaching a junction are different if lane one turns into a different road. Next time your on the motorway spot how they differ :)
small planet ! follow you jay as well!! read the road markings our roads are not that hard to read.
Great video! The rules on roundabouts are fairly simple. The left lane is used to take the first exit and to go straight over unless stated by road markings. So on an unmarked roundabout you would use the left lane to go straight over. You also don't need to indicate when going straight ahead however it's courtesy to indicate off of the roundabout. The lane management when taking a right and coming off just comes with practice. Roundabouts are all about confidence really.
Yes, there is no indicator to show that you are or intend to go straight on unlike the hand signals where there is.
Indicating off the roundabout is not a courtesy it's a requirement. If you're going straight you have to indicate once you've passed the last left turn.
You'll get a minor on your test if you don't.
incorrect Tim, I actually got a minor doing exactly what you are referring to for improper use of the indicator. On a roundabout with a left, straight and right turn, if you are going straight you do not indicate when leaving the roundabout. You would only do that if there were more than one exit before the straight ahead turn off, in which case you would already be indicating right most likely prior to that.
Tim Austin somebody didn’t indicate that they were going round on my driving test so i failed because they didn’t indicate
Roundabouts: the Left lane is for Left and Straight On (Unless the Exit is past 12 O’clock as you would see it on a clock), and the Right lane is for Right or Return the way you came.
Unless Otherwise Signposted.
Love you guys - I've just discovered that everything I take for granted in the UK can be interpreted so differently by others. I'm not sure I'd cope as well driving in the US as you do the UK.
(But driving on country lanes in the UK at speed is awesome fun :) )
Until you meet a big tractor or a combine harvester or a milk float.
think of a 2 lane roundabout like a clock face, if your exit is anywhere between 6 and 12 (left side of the clock face) then take the left lane, anywhere from 12 to 6 (right side of the clock face) then take the right lane, use this system and it will make life a lot easier
The round about issue depends on the road sign. If the sign shows straight over being 180° or lower you stay in the outside lane and do not need to indicate (indication on exit is still helpful). If the sign shows straight over as greater than 180° then indicate right, move over then indicate left and move over after the exit before the one you need.
When I was learning to drive lorries was told see a roundabout as a clock 🕒 if its 12 o'clock it normally means stay left if you want to go straight across unless the markings on the road directions tell you diffrent, to go straight over don't signal right or you will be shouted at being could a D.. K head or horns blasting at you.
At a round-about you never indicate right because you HAVE to go around the round-about in a clockwise way (right, right!) The only time you indicate is when you leave the round-about which WILL be left and you start to indicate when you have passed the exit of the one before you want.
Roundabouts often have directions but they are one the road surface. If it's three lanes the left if for left exit, middle straightover, right is for around the roundabout for the right exit. If you are going left indicate as you enter the roundabout. If your are going over then don't indicate until you want to exit the roundabout then you indicate left once you pasted the first left exit and coming up onto the exit you want. If you are going right indicate right as you enter the roundabout the as you come up on your exit indicate left. Hope that explains it. It is easier to explain it when you are driving. I remember the first few times I used the huge roundabouts after passing my test I'd talk myself through using the extra large roundabouts. Same with double and triple roundabouts and the 7 roundabouts ring in Milton Keynes.
That right turn thing you mention. That shows you consideration, but also the people behind you that cannot proceed because you are blocking them so preventing a jam.
Felipe is 100% correct on how to indicate at roundabouts. What a pro!
Lane 2 and 3 on the motorways are over taking lanes only, you are then meant to keep in the left hand lane.Also if you just sit in for example lane 2 /3 and not actually over taking any vehicles that carries a £100 fine.Also stop calling it a slow lane and fast lane on the motorway they are over taking lanes ONLY as I stated earlier...Also try Devon or Cornwall where they have what are called " Green Lanes" our road network is hundreds of years old and some Watling Street , Fosse Way are from the Roman Empire!
Unless the lanes are actually indicated as to be for left turn or right turn only,then you should be in the left lane for left turn or straight on. Follow the outer edge of the roundabout when going straight on to allow right turners to pass between you and the inner roundabout, ie you would be briefly side by side, or even overtake you and also go straight ahead. If they overtake then they should ensure they can do so without interfering with your progress and usually only the larger roundabouts would allow enough space for an overtaking manoeuvre. Enter the roundabout without signal if going straight on and signal left just pass the exit before the one you wish to leave at. Signal right at entry if turning right and change to left signal just pass exit before the one you wish to leave at. All this means nothing if there are specific signs denoting different behaviour and lanes are marked with instructions that drivers must obey. So a left entry may be marked "Left turn only" and therefore cannot be used to go straight on for instance. Sometimes a three of four lane entry system is in use and lane lines are normally extended out into the roundabout and you should remain in those lanes as you traverse the roundabout. you may have an arrangement where the left-most entry is marked left turn only, the second left is straight on only, the third from left may have a double arrow indicating straight or right and the last lane could be right only. The roundabout may also be so small that only one lane enters so keep back from the car in front watch his signal, probably there will not be one if he goes straight on as there is not time to signal just pass the exit before the one to be used.
We pay attention when driving because the roads are much narrower and because of the general density of traffic.
The Left lane is also a through lane. There are left lanes that are specifically designated as a turning lane.
I’m so glad the driver (Filipe?) knows how to indicate on a roundabout. It’s the thing that frustrates me most on the road (texting while driving infuriates me more than frustrates me). Someone is indicating right, but then takes any exit other than the last one. Does my nut in.
You need to learn to relax more.
As an Englishman living in Sweden roundabouts here annoy the crap out of me! Swedes hardly ever indicate or get in the correct lane. There's virtually no courtesy on the road here either, probably because it's not so necessary with there being hardly any traffic by British standards
The country lanes and even many town and city roads are the ones we have inherited from hundreds of years ago - many were the original roman roads. I find them very stressful, particularly country roads when you have Chelsea Tractors coming the other way. Plus driving on country roads at night is so dark because there is no lighting and lots of foliage. When I first passed my test my Dad took me along country roads to get me used to it and I decided immediately that I never wanted to drive country roads again at night and in the daytime only if the journey was absolutely crucial. Its true you have to pay attention cos there just isnt any room available if you mess up
I was taught to approach a round about in either lane to go straight ahead, and then signal when level with the left hand turn. In practice I usually keep to the left. If there's three, I'd go in the middle, left for a left turn and right for a right turn. Usually works.
No, only signal right if you are going right. Change the signal to left when level with the exit before leaving it.
In fact, when coming to a roundabout with multiple lanes, the left lane indicates that you are turning left, the centre lane indicates that you are going straight over and the right lane indicates that you are turning left. If you are turning left or right, you should indicate accordingly; with the exception of going straight on, you should indicate left as you are leaving the roundabout.
You definitely don't signal right if you're going straight-on at a roundabout!
If it's a mini-roundabout you don't signal at all for going straight on. If it's a proper roundabout you signal just before you make the exit, after you've entered the roundabout. But if it's a small roundabout (ie bigger than a mini) but not very big (and not much time to signal an exit) than you don't always need to bother for straight on (if you're not taking a test ;-))
On most roundabouts (with two lanes) you take the left lane on entering for both a left turn and for straight on. It's right lane for a right turn exit. But it then get's more complicated for additional lanes on bigger roundabouts (and also with more than 3 exits) so you follow road display arrows (or just use common sense).
However if you really want to have fun the 'Magic Roundabout' in Hemel Hempstead taxes even British driver's road skills. Roundabouts within roundabouts (which go anticlockwise and clockwise)!
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magic_Roundabout_(Hemel_Hempstead)
You're right about driving in the UK. It can be more fun from a driver pov (if you enjoy driving) and requires further concentration/road skills (though once used to it you don't really notice). Hence also why manual (stick shift) cars are still fairly popular in the UK and you also have to pass your test on one to get a full UK license. That said I do love a long US road trip. You can get to see some amazing sights and it's generally more relaxed. It's just different styles of driving between North America and Europe.
Road lines are very important in the UK as they tell you a lot like if you can overtake or not, if you're in the exit lane on a motorway and on roundabouts you have to pay attention to the floor markings as some you can go straight in a left lane and some it's a left only. As for parking on roads yet again the lines tell you if it's legal or not double yellow means no parking or waiting a single yellow line means you can at certain times that are displayed on signs nearby and double red lines mean no stopping at all no excuses a single red line also means no stopping during the times shown on a sign post
My driving instructor always taught me to get in the left lane for left and straight over, unless the road is actually marked up differently. Most roundabouts you get in left lane for straight. Sometimes there will be a left lane only filter. On a dual carriageway you can usually go over in either lane if it carries on as before.
Sometimes the left lane on a roundabout will be for going straight... others will use the right lane. It’s just about how heavy traffic flow is on that particular roundabout. But mostly the left is used and the right lane will be for just a right turn
I have just found your channel tonight. I use the road system in the first few minutes of the video to visit family. That bend to get on the M5 is horrible.
I did want to comment on the distance between junctions on the motorways. Some junctions have short distances, for example on the M5 junctions 11 and 11a are about 3 miles apart, as are Junctions 6 and 7. On some stretches, the distances are far longer. The M1 springs to mind as the junctions are further apart, it all depends on what roads those junctions connect to. My brother lives in Leeds, and it's about 20 miles between the junction I use to exit towards his area and the previous one. Also, the junction numbers are in white on a black background, usually on the bottom right corner of the sign. Where I live in Swindon there are 2 junctions on the M4, one in the west and one in the east. I use the motorway to get to the other side of town as it's 6 miles and usually far quicker.
Have you heard of the Magic roundabout in Swindon? It's 5 mini roundabouts in a circle, plus the one in the centre that you go the wrong way around. Every sat nav I have had has given up when using it. As long as you give way to the right and approach with caution, everything is fine, but be wary of the fire station just off one roundabout. I learned to drive here so can use it as I was taught to, but my husband, who learned in the Midlands, hates it. Filipe is correct about signalling at roundabouts.
As for the worst places to drive in the U.K., I hate Birmingham. I was brought up in the area as a child, and always noticed that the road signs just stop. Now it's even worse. I won't drive into central Birmingham unless I really have to now, the only reason would be to see my uncle as he lives in walking distance from the city centre. My grandparents live right the other side of the city, by the M6. It's better on that side but as you get to the housing estates the signs stop. Nobody lets you in either, or shows good manners or politeness.
I have driven in London, Liverpool, Birmingham, Wales, Leeds Norfolk, Worcestershire and Derbyshire, and I would rather drive in London than Birmingham.
I'd be intrigued to find out what you think of motorway service areas? I have never been to the US, but from what I have seen on the media, your service stations aren't like our ones. Some of ours are like mini shopping centres, but with higher prices.
Roundabouts are easy - unless the road is marked otherwise - two lane roundabout -left lane for left turn and straight on---right lane for straight on (but have to exit straight on also in the right lane) - and for any other turns further round. Indicate on roundabout after the proceeding exit. :)
Roundabouts: left lane to go left and “straight over” unless the road signs state otherwise. Roundabouts are sometimes indicated otherwise to help the flow of traffic and reduce the likelihood of one particular lane becoming too busy. Also need to keep careful where two lanes are straight over, but the exit goes down to one single lane and the traffic has to slot in.
A few features found on some roundabouts to make them even more "fun":
a) some larger ones are equipped with traffic lights (presumably when the traffic exceeds the roundabout's capacity but simply making it bigger or introducing free flow movements [e.g. flyovers] would be too expensive / controversial / take too much land)
b) some have spiral lane markings which guide you around the roundabout,
c) some have a dedicated slip road for turning left, which avoids the roundabout entirely - although at the end of the sliproad you usually have to give way to traffic coming onto the road from the roundabout.
If you think of a round about like a clock (you always enter at 6). On a two lane approach the left lane is for exits between 6 and 12 “o’clock” including 12. Anything after that (going past 12/turning right) you should be in the right lane. Anything more than a two lane approach there are usually signs on the approach to the roundabout indicating what lane you should use if you can’t see the paint on the road
If you are going straight at a roundabout, you should be in the left hand lane of the two unless otherwise signed (by arrows on the road), you should signal left as you pass the exit before the one you are taking, you only signal right if the exit you are taking is past 12 o’clock on a clock face if you are entering the roundabout at 6 o’clock
Each roundabout has it's own lane position depending on flow of traffic. If most of the traffic is going straight and right then the left lane will be the straight lane and right lane will be for a right turn for example.
At roundabouts it is always left hand lane for turning left or going straight over, and right hand lane if you are turning right or going back down the road you entered the roundabout on. For bigger roundabouts with more lanes they always have arrows to guide you in the run up to the roundabout.
I have watched a few of these videos from this couple and have learnt a lot about the differences between the UK and the US. Good to hear that they like it here, and the people from America (not all of them) aren't as ignorant as they come across on the TV which is good to see.
I was married to an American for 15 years. We used to visit her parents in Florida twice a year. You're right Lillian, florida drivers dose off. I think it's because the roads are so long & straight and the lanes are so wide. It could also be because their brains operate at the same speed as the "southern druel". Here in the UK even the motorways (70 mph) are bendy. I drove 18 wheelers for 15 years and the the truck only has about a foot each side before you start encroaching on the other lanes. As you said, you have to have a good level of concentration in the UK. Those who don't concentrate are the ones who cause accidents. Normal rule of thumb with roundabouts is left lane for straight on & left, right lane for right turn. Also, all you have to remember is that you give way to the vehicles coming from the right. You don't have to stop at a roundabout if it is clear and safe to enter the roundabout. This is to keep traffic moving instead of sitting at a set of red lights when there's nothing coming from the other directions. Of course we don't have the"right turn on red" rule in the UK, but I do think they should introduce a left turn on red at certain junctions. Be well guys.
You can use both lanes if going ahead provided that there are two lanes to enter when coming off. Having said that it pays to check that the person on the left is not going right in front of you.
Indicate left only when leaving the roundabout.If going straight across the roundabout do not indicate on entering, only exiting. Indicate right on entering when going around the roundabout and indicate left when leaving.
You signal right if you're going to be sitting in the right lane. You signal left ONLY when you've passed the turning before your exit, AS YOU PASS THAT PRIOR EXIT. The reason for this is that if you are signalling right or not to someone sitting at the exit you're passing they see the same lack of indicator so they know that if they are going immediately left, no matter which lane you are on, they are clear to go. And if someone waiting to come on on the exit they are in they will see you signalling left to take that and they know that you will not be on the lane and they can enter the roundabout now.
Because the roundabout has right of way you can think of how the other drivers will be informed as to whether they can come on to the roundabout. Indicators are for the use of other drivers (indeed ANY road user, including pedestrians walking on the path beside), not for yours.
Really lovely couple but I was left wondering how Lillian actually passed a UK driving test. As for Felipe, we have signs in the UK which read: 'Tiredness Kills: Take a break.'
The general rule with narrow country roads here in UK is that the person nearest a passing place is obliged to reverse (if necessary).
I would not say that to some of the lady farmers/wives around here.
The turning right thing as shown on the diagram - this does my bloody swede in ! Someone is trying to turn right and is prevented from doing so by relentless oncoming traffic, a queue begins to form behind the car, holding up the entire lane. Will anybody in the, often slow moving, oncoming cars pause for a couple of seconds to let the car cross and free up the road ? Will they bollocks
If there are two lanes entering the roundabout and two lanes leaving the roundabout on same road (A419 etc) then, unless there are road markings indicating otherwise, you can use either lane.
The way to distinguish the two sides of a Car in the UK, is "NEARSIDE" [passenger side] [nearest the pavement, or sidewalk?] "OFFSIDE" is the Drivers side,furthest away from the pavement,which is a good way to describe which is being referred to!Would actually work in the US ? Lillian btw ,when viewing the Ape ad,was magic when thinking out loud,"is it real,etc,amusing!
Roundabouts & going straight over... it also depends on the number of lanes available when exiting the roundabout. If a dual carriageway round has a roundabout in it, it's perfectly acceptable to use the right lane to go straight over provided you remain in the right lane on the other side of the roundabout.
If it's single carriageway exiting the roundabout, then both left and straight over are from the left hand lane.
On holiday I visited Yosemite and it was so funny listening to the Americans saying how narrow the roads were. They didnt believe us when we told them those road were normal around our part of Wales and should try driving on Welsh back roads.
I like your videos. I find many "Americans in the UK" (please don't use England unless you mean England, it just P'soff the Welsh, Scots and Northern Irish) channels quite often exaggerate tiny differences to make it seem they're exploring a tropical jungle were only a few would ever survive!
Again great job.
I prefer the narrow roads where I live (valleys), I do not like driving in places like Newport and Cardiff where roads are bigger and wider
Our driving conditions keep you on your toes. You can never become a lazy driver here. Be safe. X
I'm 55 now and in over 35 years of driving I've never reversed around a corner, I'm glad to hear thats been taken out of todays test. Also back then there was nothing on parallel parking...what was even easier was the old motorcycle test, I remember riding next to an examiner at walking speed, approaching a junction as he observed and that was it!! Thank you sir you've passed..
Sometimes if driving in a narrow country lane it is necessary to reverse around bends/corners when an approaching vehicle is unable to pass and they are potentially in a more dangerous position than you. Not easy when road widths vary within yards of distance. Also remember my first driving test: on being asked to pull to a halt I put on the handbrake, then on being asked to reverse I forgot to take off the handbrake!. I went to pieces- the examiner said nothing, I said nothing, but we both knew!! So I got the dreaded( I think it was pink) failure notice at the end! January 1967.
Where I live, in UK, we have five mini roundabouts within one major roundabout. Each mini roundabout leads on to the next mini roundabout until you take the exit you want.
🤯
Ahhh the magic roundabout
Yes, the 'Magic Round-A-Bout in Swindon. I drove through it without problem but on first sight it's a WTF moment.
Walter Raleigh: Just like The Plough roundabout in Hemel Hempstead, Hertfordshire (the first of its kind, with initially six mini roundabouts within the major roundabout). Also known as 'The Magic Roundabout', a friend of mine who used it for the first time some years ago said it made her head spin so much she now always refers to it as 'The Magic Mushroom'.
I just love the Hemel Hempstead magic roundabout. You can literally go anti clockwise round the main central roundabout by going clockwise round the individual outer 6 mini roundabouts. Mind you, the first time I ever saw it I nearly shit myself !
The country roads are often old tracks meant to take a horse and cart only. Some are even Roman roads. They’re challenging but we’re good at that and it’s part of our history. Most of the roads were formed a few centuries ago before cars.
Felipe is right about the roundabout. Don't signal if you are going straight over but signal just before you get off.
round-a-bouts are simple, if you are going left, indicate left and be in the left lane, going straight, either lane is ok, don't indicate till you are coming off, going right, be in the right lane, indicate right until you are coming off then indicate left
Left lanes for everything up to a 12 o'clock exit on a roundabout. Right lane for anything beyond 12. It really is that simple. So in most situations, left hand lane for straight ahead.
That's the law.
People do occasionally reverse round a corner, it's a way to turn around when the road is too narrow to turn any other way. They decided ultimately that teaching people to park was of greater utility & dropped that reverse from the test in favour of asking them to demonstrate parking to keep the test a reasonable length.
If the road forks off on a motorway or dual carriageway the white dashes of the lane line leading up to the split would be a lot shorter and closer together, that's how you tell you have to move back to the right of that line in order to not exit.
she is right ,the roundabout is essential a ring road ,junction indication rules still apply ,as u enter the roundabout u indicate to suggest your intentional exist ,but u then indicate left as you approach the junction aka exist u wish to come to
Roundabouts depend on the type of Roundabout. Some have two lanes - the left hand lane is normally only for the 'first exit' whereas the right lane is for the 'second or third exist'. If the Roundabout has three lanes - the left lane still applies, the middle lane is normally for the 'second exit' and the third lane is for effectively going around the Roundabout for the third or other exits. As a Brit, Roundabouts sound logical in theory but they can get confusing using them. Like all things, they just take some getting used to.
My friend that lived in US for several years says the US road signage are like the American attitude to everything, don't seem to plan ahead. UK roads the signs tell you where you are going, in US they just seem to tell you when you have arrived. And i have noticed here in UK a lot of satnavs don't show the motorway junction numbers, which is really annoying. Google maps have the same error. So my advice buy one of those cheap AA maps (the ones that are the size of a newspaper) they have in petrol stations to plan road journeys.
We have a small roundabout in Stoke that has 3 entry lanes and 4 exits. The first lane is used for exit 1 and 2, middle lane for the 3rd and 4th (4th exit has 2 lanes) and 3rd lane for the second lane of the 4th exit. I once had a woman next to me (she was in lane 1, I was middle) we both pulled away, and she proceeded to go for exit 4, me wanting the 3rd one, so she cut across me. Some people seem to think that the first lane covers everything. The look on her face too, like I was in the wrong.
"The look on HER face too, like I was in the wrong.".....
After 38 years of driving one learns TO stereotype and this is a CLASSIC FEmale response.
They either do not realise that on these occasions they are in the wrong OR do know but get defensive and try to imply it is YOUR fault :)
These little country lanes (B roads) have a 60mph speed limit unless there is street lighting in which case it is 30mph or there are signs saying otherwise.
Well, it may be NSL, but as they say: it's a limit, not a goal.
Most roundabouts have two or three lanes. With the ones with three lanes it doesn't matter whether your in the middle lane or left when going straight. Because i cycle. On quiet roundabouts i stay on left lane when going straight on busier ones i use middle lane when going straight. But if there's only two lanes then people use left lane for straight. When going straight you don't have to singal but most people still signal their exit to make it clear to others (this is what i do when i'm cycling with hand signals)