Just something to have a little think about.

[Trudes]

I'm not going to preach to you all, just want to give everyone a little reminder...
When approaching a round-about, for a moment consider the other round-about users. They may be old; learning to drive; be distracted by the kids in the back, a nagging husband, lighting a smoke, changing a CD etc; or they may not have lightening quick reflexes, so please don't go flying through the round-about on your bike, because the others sitting there may not see you until it's too late (if at all).
So many times I hear "this dozy shit pulled right out in front of me at the round-about" etc etc, however I have seen so many motorcyclists taking round-abouts so quickly that one second they're not there and the next you're right on top of them.
Just because the speed limit is 50kmph (or whatever) doesn't mean you should do that around a round-about, slow down, make sure the people sitting at the entrance points have seen you, it's not a knee-down opportunity, go to the track if you want that, it's a road that we share with a load of people who are not expecting a motorcyclist to go hurtling through intersections and round-abouts at the speed limit, most of us slow down a bit for these types of hazzards.
So for your own safety, please just slow down. Just because you can, doesn't mean you should.
Thanks, sorry about the rant, I just hope it'll make one person think and save them from an accident. :)

[DemonWolf]

I think thats a fair call.... especially in this 'season' (more distractions on the mind)

[PrincessBandit]

Holy moley Trudes! Who would have thought of that?

Nah, just kidding - it's good to see people putting those reminders out there, even if a certain percentage of readers here will only see "blah blah blah" instead of something constructive.

[Nasty]

Good message ... with good delivery ... there are a few here who should learn this delivery - but we know they won't

[Juzz976]

Speed limit around a round-about is 30k/hr.
I always assume for every round about that I will have to come to a complete stop before proceeding. Especially now since they put so many painted arrows on the road its slippy in the wet.

But hey, I have kids and value my life

[cowboyz]

and while we are on the subject. Dont indicate *right* to go striaght through a roundabout!

[Nasty]

and while we are on the subject. Dont indicate *right* to go striaght through a roundabout!

So true ... the rule is indicate to get off a roundabout .. not on ... very frustrating that very few know how to do that!

[PrincessBandit]

So true ... the rule is indicate to get off a roundabout .. not on ... very frustrating that very few know how to do that!

Indeed, especially when the lead rider does it and you think they're actually going to turn right only to discover the error of your assumption! Or you follow through a roundabout only to find out with a heart stopping moment that they're going round and round the bloody thing for their own enjoyment....aaarrgghh!

[James Deuce]

Bloody Nana doesn't even ride on the road anymore and she's lecturing us about roundabouts. Shut up and go back to putting your bus pass nicely into that little plastic sleeve.

[Trudes]

Holy moley Trudes! Who would have thought of that?

Nah, just kidding - it's good to see people putting those reminders out there, even if a certain percentage of readers here will only see "blah blah blah" instead of something constructive.
Surprising how many I see who don't think of it.

Speed limit around a round-about is 30k/hr.
I always assume for every round about that I will have to come to a complete stop before proceeding. Especially now since they put so many painted arrows on the road its slippy in the wet.

But hey, I have kids and value my life
Good on ya! And there you go, I thought the speed limit for a round-about was the same as the road you are traveling on, so you learn something new everyday, thanks for that (I just assumed, especially seeing sooooooo many motorcyclists obviously NOT doing 30kmph around round-abouts!) :)

and while we are on the subject. Dont indicate *right* to go striaght through a roundabout!
Oh my god that gets on my tits people who do that!!!!

Bloody Nana doesn't even ride on the road anymore and she's lecturing us about roundabouts. Shut up and go back to putting your bus pass nicely into that little plastic sleeve.
Shhush you!! :spanking: I do still ride on the road occasionally, just don't get a buzz from it any more.... and there's too many fuckwits out on the road for my liking.... bucket racing is where it's at brother!! :laugh:

[StoneY]

Bloody Nana doesn't even ride on the road anymore and she's lecturing us about roundabouts. Shut up and go back to putting your bus pass nicely into that little plastic sleeve.

LOL says the man who wont come a riding with anyone...:Pokey:

:niceone:

[James Deuce]

LOL says the man who wont come a riding with anyone...:Pokey:

:niceone:
Shut up shouty man

http://kiwiridermagazine.blogspot.com/2009/12/bronz-wellington-president-speaks.html

(Total Hijack!)

[Trudes]

haha Shouty!!:msn-wink:

[neels]

Yup, had exactly that on friday night, travelling at less than the speed limit a lady stopped, then pulled out and turned left throught the roundabout in front of me. Got on the horn and got the fingers out the window for my trouble.

Speed limit around a round-about is 30k/hr.
Where did you get that from, it's the first time I've ever heard it?

[Thaeos]

I know I always come to a roundabout prepared to stop if I have to. What I find the most frustrating is people who don't indicate at all when turning at a roundabout.

[crazyhorse]

Gotta love that "nagging husband" comment :killingme


Good message Trudes - well said :niceone:

[grusomhat]

I don't trust anyone or anything at roundabouts. The majority of people still don't seem to understand the very simple indicating procedures. Even the cops seem to find it too bloody difficult!

And I find roundabouts notorious for having shit (Read: Diesel) spilled on them. Especially ones just after service station and it's all spilling out the overflow.

[huff3r]

I don't trust anyone or anything at roundabouts. The majority of people still don't seem to understand the very simple indicating procedures. Even the cops seem to find it too bloody difficult!

And I find roundabouts notorious for having shit (Read: Diesel) spilled on them. Especially ones just after service station and it's all spilling out the overflow.

The cops round here seem to have trouble indicating anywhere, its actually really fkin annoying! Especially since, being so close to the police college, you'd think they'd know better!

[awayatc]

I always thought that if you indicated "right" before entering a roundabout that you actualy intended to turn right, and go around it against the traffic.....

quite entertaining actualy.....

[SMOKEU]

I really do get fucked off when people don't even know how to indicate properly at roundabouts. If they can't even master that simple task then they shouldn't be driving.

[merv]

Road Code stuff about roundabouts is here http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/roadcode/about-driving/giving-way-at-roundabouts.html

You are meant to indicate right of course if you are not going straight through and are peeling off at typically the third exit left or more depending on how many exits there are.

Also I cannot find any mention to a 30km/hr restriction and am totally unaware that anything such thing has even been implemented. Unless signposted separately the legal speed is that of the surrounding road area.

[Hiflyer]

Road Code stuff about roundabouts is here http://www.nzta.govt.nz/resources/roadcode/about-driving/giving-way-at-roundabouts.html

You are meant to indicate right of course if you are not going straight through and are peeling off at typically the third exit left or more depending on how many exits there are.

Also I cannot find any mention to a 30km/hr restriction and am totally unaware that anything such thing has even been implemented. Unless signposted separately the legal speed is that of the surrounding road area.

The round abouts by auckland airport are in the middle of an 80kph area :devil2:

[cmoore]

your right merv...you always indicate right unless you are taking the first left...

[huff3r]

your right merv...you always indicate right unless you are taking the first left...

No, if you read his post correctly, you indicate right if you are going more than half-way around the roundabout!
I.E if you are turning right at the roundabout, regardless of wether its the 2nd, 3rd, 4th etc turn-off.

Indicate left if you are taking the first exit, and dont indicate "onto" the roundabout if you are going straight through, in which case you should only indicate left "off" the roundabout as you pass the exit before the one you intend to take.

Its pretty simple really!

The thing that gets me is people going straight through who don't indicate "onto" the roundabout, but once on it indicate right and proceed straight through!

[neels]

You indicate at roundabouts the same as if it was a normal intersection.

If you're turning left, indicate left as you approach

If you're turning right indicate right as you approach.

If you're going straight through don't indicate when approaching, indicate left as you get to the exit where you're leaving the roundabout.

But I don't trust anybody indicating a roundabouts anymore and assume I'll have to stop.

[merv]

your right merv...you always indicate right unless you are taking the first left...

No as others have said above too, you don't indicate right unless you are taking at least the third exit I said. If you are taking the first exit, indicate left immediately, if you are taking the second exit i.e. straight through at a 4 point roundabout, then indicate left after you pass the first exit, but if you want go around any further then indicate right and left once you are coming up to your exit. Hope that all makes sense.

Problem is there are exceptions to the rule where the roundabout is an odd shape with either more or less than 4 roads attached to it or its not a simple crossroad, but use your judgement about whether you are going straight through or not and whether it makes sense to indicate to the others using the roundabout what your intentions are. The worst thing to do is confuse the other road users with your behaviour.

[grusomhat]

And make sure you in the right line, and watch out for big fucking trucks who decide to change lanes as they exit!

[merv]

Haha, the roundabout I just love is that at the Arc de Triomphe (tap that into Google Earth) in Paris. There seemed to be no lane markings, there are about a dozen roads and the crazy Frogs seem to be able to drive about 8 abreast and still get to where they want to go.

Why is riding/driving in this country seemingly such a problem?

My last two trips to Europe I found it fascinating standing on the footpath on the side of the road in places like Paris and Rome, just marvelling at how the traffic just flows even around such busy roundabouts.

[ZK-Awesome]

Haha, the roundabout I just love is that at the Arc de Triomphe (tap that into Google Earth) in Paris. There seemed to be no lane markings, there are about a dozen roads and the crazy Frogs seem to be able to drive about 8 abreast and still get to where they want to go.

Why is riding/driving in this current seemingly such a problem?

My last two trips to Europe I found it fascinating standing on the footpath on the side of the road in places like Paris and Rome, just marvelling at how the traffic just flows even around such busy roundabouts.

My defensive driving course instructor said that there is a crash every 12 minutes around the arc de Triomphe.

[Juzz976]

indicate if not taking first 2 exits.

there's roundabouts in 100k zones, does that mean I can/should do 100 through them?

[huff3r]

indicate if not taking first 2 exits.

there's roundabouts in 100k zones, does that mean I can/should do 100 through them?

It means you could, legally, yes. But it definitely doesnt mean you should.

Just like you could go through a give-way sign controlled intersection at 100kph if you wanted, i personally wouldnt!

[grusomhat]

Haha, the roundabout I just love is that at the Arc de Triomphe (tap that into Google Earth) in Paris. There seemed to be no lane markings, there are about a dozen roads and the crazy Frogs seem to be able to drive about 8 abreast and still get to where they want to go.

Why is riding/driving in this current seemingly such a problem?

My last two trips to Europe I found it fascinating standing on the footpath on the side of the road in places like Paris and Rome, just marvelling at how the traffic just flows even around such busy roundabouts.

That thing is in-fucking-sane!!!

<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/BliGIPQ_KHc&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/BliGIPQ_KHc&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

Check out the lanesplitting!

[merv]

But notice how nobody seems to be getting annoyed, just the odd toot, they just go about their business lol. Here's a few of my photos from down on the ground taken on New Year's day this year. Cool I reckon even us pedestrians getting mixed up with it:rolleyes: so how come Kiwis can't handle much simpler situations?

[PrincessBandit]

Well smack me silly with a thick German sausage lathered in hot chilli sauce and call me Scooby Doo. I was sitting at the roundabout waiting to exit from the supermarket 15 minutes ago when (i) some idiot in an old Hunter (young guy too) turned right through the roundabout in front of me without indicating, (ii) the person behind him was indicating a right turn so I waited, only for them to go straight through into the supermarket carpark, then (iii) as I "went" left to head home another joker pulled through the roundabout (going straight ahead, i.e. had right of way) at warp speed so I got abused for holding him up.

Remind me again why I live in this dunny called Manure-wa??

[dipshit]

Remind me again why I live in this dunny called Manure-wa??

Understand New Zealanders really don't want to raise driving/riding standards in this country because everybody will start pissing and moaning about how much all the lessons will cost.

[spacemonkey]

But notice how nobody seems to be getting annoyed, just the odd toot, they just go about their business lol. Here's a few of my photos from down on the ground taken on New Year's day this year. Cool I reckon even us pedestrians getting mixed up with it:rolleyes: so how come Kiwis can't handle much simpler situations?




All ways makes me laugh that when I was working for Fairfax in Whangarei Tranzit ended up having to take out full page ads in the paper to explain to the locals how to go around a 2 land roundabout...... The week before Whangarei opened it's first multi lane roundabout and most of the locals were totally befuddled by it, They reconed it was close to 20 fender benders in the first week. :lol::lol: