Drivers debate frustrating roundabout road rule in answers to online quiz

A basic online road rule quiz has left drivers fuming over a frustrating rule that some claim could be more dangerous to follow than disobey.

Debate flared after the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads shared a graphic of a roundabout to Facebook on Monday and questioned drivers on how it should be used properly.

A blue car was positioned in the right lane at the entrance of a roundabout, and an arrow indicated it would be making a right turn.

The post quizzed followers on how the driver of the blue car should use their indicator – not at all, only before exiting, signalling right the whole way, or signalling right until indicating left to exit the roundabout.

The department later revealed the correct way to indicate around a roundabout was by signalling right while approaching, then signal left just before you exit.

Some pointed out a potential flaw in the rule, alluding to difficulties involved with roundabouts bigger in size with multiple lanes and road markings.

“The biggest problem with roundabouts is they vary in size considerably and the rule for a little one doesn't necessarily make sense for a very large roundabout with multiple exit lanes,” one person pointed out.

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Others who commented on the post argued that sometimes arrows painted on roundabouts often added to the confusion.

“Name and shame the traffic engineer that came up with this ludicrous line marking. What is there, and I've seen it emerging around town, more is bad for traffic flow, and does nothing for safety,” another said.

Someone else claimed it made more sense to take a different approach when using small, residential roundabouts.

“In my opinion, if the roundabout is tiny, just indicate left if turning left, indicate right if turning right and don't indicate at all if going straight ahead. Simple and nobody gets the wrong impression,” they wrote.

Drivers advise others not to assume people know the rules

Others guessed the correct answer but argued there were some drivers who weren’t as sure.

“It’s amazing the number of drivers who don’t know their roundabout rules,” one comment read.

“You really should never assume everybody else knows the rules. My experience is to give way to anyone who looks like they aren't going to give way to anyone,” another wrote.

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