For some, these are more
dangerous or intimidating
than Multi-lane Roundabouts.
It's how they are dealt with by everyone that can make them dangerous.
It's how they are dealt with by everyone that can make them dangerous.
All roundabouts can be dangerous,however, they needn't be!
The biggest factor that makes any Roundabout dangerous is SPEED!
If drivers just slowed down a little when approaching them, it would make them 100% safer.
The reason why Mini-Roundabouts can be more dangerous than other larger ones is without a doubt due to speed,
but more importantly than speed is the lack of open visibility when approaching one.
A drivers "LINE OF SIGHT" is crucial to making informed decisions.
Mini roundabouts do not allow for a good line of sight when approaching them, and a good or better line of sight may only happen fully once a driver commits to entering the roundabout.
Because of the restricted space synonymous to Mini Roundabouts, things can happen very quickly.
In the UK we ALWAYS GIVE WAY to traffic coming from our right before entering Roundabouts.
But if the traffic coming from our right does NOT SLOW DOWN on the approach, this makes joining one extremely hazardous for everyone else.
Before Roundabouts were first designed, there were possibly Crossroads at the same place.
At Crossroads there would always be a "priority direction" as such, and then the opposing directions would need to Give Way.
Roundabouts were invented to try and keep traffic moving and avoid slowing the flow.
If ALL drivers were to show the consideration they were taught as learners to all other road users, Roundabouts would become much safer environment and create a less anxious situation for many drivers.
Mini Roundabouts themselves can be dangerous to other vehicles but due to the restricted space they are en even bigger danger to pedestrians, cyclists and motorcyclists.
A brisk visual check to your right when arriving at one may allow you to see if another vehicle is coming,
but your blind spot areas may cause you to miss a pedestrian, cyclist or motorcyclist.
Because the way our eyes and brains process information if we look too quickly when approaching Mini Roundabouts WE WILL MISS THINGS!
Those things could be another vehicle or road user.
If you're unsure about how you could "miss something" take a look at this video
When approaching a Mini Roundabout, you should always see the Triangular warning sign first, notifying you there is a Roundabout coming up.
The blue Mini Roundabout sign is usually found a very short distance away from the Roundabout itself.