Hi,
I've been driving after passing my test for a year now, but I still find negotiating big traffic light roundabouts/gyratories quite stressful. In particular, if I'm not familiar with them they're quite challenging. Some gyratories (e.g. the Hanger Lane one) I use quite a lot but still feel stressed out about, even though I'm familiar with them.
I'm looking for tips on how to safely negotiate these beasts. In particular, I do the following:
-I plan my trips in advance.
-I use google maps to see what lane I should be approaching in etc.
-Once on the roundabout, I follow the lines as indicated. I do not signal or change lanes if I'm in the wrong lane, I'd rather go off on a wrong exit and reapproach.
-I take unfamiliar ones at slow speed (15-20mph).
The problems I face are:
-Other drivers making last minute decisions, swerving into my lane. (I basically feel on these roundabouts not only am I trying to prevent mistakes I'm making, I'm trying to avoid others as well).
-Aggressive drivers beeping me on the roundabout to speed up.
-Can't see markings and lanes as they've faded.
-Sometimes it's not possible to plan the entire trip in advance and so often I'll come up to gyratory and use the roundabout destination sign to make an educated guess on the lane I should be in (not always right).
-Traffic in front of me is so heavy I can't read the writing on the pavement.
-Sometimes on the roundabout things can get stressful, e.g. when 2 lanes split into 3 with signboards on the gyratory itself.
I'm looking for tips on how I can make this negotiation less stressful for myself. I do a lot of driving in unfamiliar territory coming off motorways 7 or 8 times a day and it's now getting ridiculous with the stress.
I've been driving after passing my test for a year now, but I still find negotiating big traffic light roundabouts/gyratories quite stressful. In particular, if I'm not familiar with them they're quite challenging. Some gyratories (e.g. the Hanger Lane one) I use quite a lot but still feel stressed out about, even though I'm familiar with them.
I'm looking for tips on how to safely negotiate these beasts. In particular, I do the following:
-I plan my trips in advance.
-I use google maps to see what lane I should be approaching in etc.
-Once on the roundabout, I follow the lines as indicated. I do not signal or change lanes if I'm in the wrong lane, I'd rather go off on a wrong exit and reapproach.
-I take unfamiliar ones at slow speed (15-20mph).
The problems I face are:
-Other drivers making last minute decisions, swerving into my lane. (I basically feel on these roundabouts not only am I trying to prevent mistakes I'm making, I'm trying to avoid others as well).
-Aggressive drivers beeping me on the roundabout to speed up.
-Can't see markings and lanes as they've faded.
-Sometimes it's not possible to plan the entire trip in advance and so often I'll come up to gyratory and use the roundabout destination sign to make an educated guess on the lane I should be in (not always right).
-Traffic in front of me is so heavy I can't read the writing on the pavement.
-Sometimes on the roundabout things can get stressful, e.g. when 2 lanes split into 3 with signboards on the gyratory itself.
I'm looking for tips on how I can make this negotiation less stressful for myself. I do a lot of driving in unfamiliar territory coming off motorways 7 or 8 times a day and it's now getting ridiculous with the stress.