Common driving mistakes at roundabouts that could land you with £50 fine

Drivers are being warned about common mistakes made at roundabouts that could actually result in a £50 fine.

Roundabouts can be a stressful experience, with one in six motorists saying they make city driving more difficult. And the stress levels can be heightened with other road users failing to safely use roundabouts, with many unaware - or failing to follow - the rules that puts themselves and other at risk.

According to a survey carried out by the car insurance team at Compare the Market, a large portion of UK drivers are unsure of the Highway Code rules relating to roundabouts - including signalling and when to give way. The study results revealed that many drivers are in need of a rule refresh to ensure roads are safe to use.

According to the study, as many as six million road users are at risk of a £50 non-endorsable Fixed Penalty Notice for failing to give way at roundabout junctions. The Highway Code rule 185 states: “Always give priority to the traffic coming from the right, unless you have been directed otherwise by signs, road markings or traffic lights.”

Over half, 55 per cent, of drivers are at risk of the same fine due to driving over mini-roundabouts, the research found. Further, 48 per cent of driver admitted to driving over a raised roundabout, with almost two thirds (62 per cent) saying they often drive over a flat one.

Sections 188 to 190 of the Highway Code state “It is important to remember that all vehicles must pass round the central markings, unless they are too large to do so. You will find that when driving around mini-roundabouts there is less room to manoeuvre and less time to signal, so take extra care.”

A long exposure of car headlights and tail-lights illuminating a roundabout, photographed from above. — Six million road users across the UK are aware of roundabout rules, including when to indicate (Image: Getty)

A quarter of drivers on average do not know how to signal correctly when using a roundabout, according to the study, with some admitting they do not signal at all. Over 1.2 million motorists said they do not signal before exiting a roundabout, potentially causing safety issues due to carless and inconsiderate driving which could result in three to nine penalty point.

Additionally, 3.75 million drivers only "occasionally" use signals before exiting a roundabout.

What are the rules for signalling when using a roundabout?

First exit

A man presses several times on the high-beam lever in the car — Many are unaware when to indicate when going around a roundabout (Image: Getty)

According to the study, one in seven driver do not know the correct way to signal when taking the first exit, with nearly one in ten (9 per cent) believing they should indicate to the right.

According to rule 186 of the Highway Code (unless signs and markings indicate otherwise):

Signal left and approach the exit in the left hand lane
Keep to the left on the roundabout and signal left to leave

Exiting to the right or going full circle

The research also suggests that many are unaware of how to indicate correctly when taking an exit to the right or travelling around the entire roundabout.

One in nine (11 per cent) think they should indicate left when approaching the roundabout with a plan of taking the right exit, and a quarter (25 per cent) think they should indicate right before taking their exit.

However, according to rule 186 of the Highway Code (unless signs or markings indicate otherwise):

Signal right and approach the exit in the right hand lane
Keep to the right on the roundabout until you need to change lanes to reach your exit
Signal left after you have passed the exit before the one you intend to take

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Taking an intermediate exit/driving straight through

One in five (20 per cent) of drivers believe they should indicate left when approaching a roundabout, with one quarter assuming they do not need to indicate at all when approaching the exit.

Yet, according to rule 186 of the Highway Code (unless signs or markings indicate otherwise):