'Hand in your licence': Roundabout road rule question leads to heated debate online

A question about roundabouts has led to a heated argument with administrators of a Facebook page where it was posted forced to ask people to “keep it civil”.

Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads posted a picture on the social media platform on Monday showing a four-lane roundabout and posed a question.

“Can the orange car perform a U-turn at the roundabout from the left lane?” the department wrote.

The orange car is in a lane with a left arrow and one heading straight ahead. In the right lane is an arrow pointing straight ahead and an arrow pointing right.

“Yes, but must indicate and give way to other cars on the roundabout,” one woman wrote.

Another replied telling the woman to hand her licence in while a man suggested she’s the “next accident waiting to happen”.

“Hey everyone, keep it civil please - not everyone knows all the answers, that's why we run these posts, to help people learn,” the department wrote.

A man also added the car should be able to U-turn from the left lane.

“So are you handing your licence in or getting your eyes tested?” one woman wrote in response.

The man replied, “all vehicles must give way to any vehicle on a roundabout”.

But others called for him to hand in his licence and that he has “no idea”.

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“Hey everyone, thanks for your spirited input,” the department wrote in response to the criticism.

“It is always better to plan early and avoid lane changes on a roundabout.

“In many circumstances it will be unsafe and other drivers will not be expecting the manoeuvre.”

The answer is actually no.

Since the car in the left lane has only an arrow pointing left and an arrow pointing straight ahead on a four-exit roundabout they can only take the first two exits.

However, a car in the right lane, with the arrows pointing straight ahead and right, can take the fourth exit and perform the U-turn.

They can also take the second and third exits, but can not take the first.

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