So how do you use a roundabout?

A recent letter to BT:

Dear editor,

I am writing to you with concern on the growing misuse of the three-lane round-about in Kiulap.

There has been many complaints over the years but the problem seems to be getting worse, especially during peak hours.

I have seen a lot of drivers cut from the inner and outer lanes into the middle one without consideration just to avoid a longer queue.

This is very dangerous and I personally have witnessed a few close calls which not only slowed down the traffic, everyone had to stop to avoid the cars hitting each other, but also led to cursing and vulgar gestures which is a very bad example for the younger people sitting in the cars.

I plead to the relevant authorities to please take action.

Drivers have to be able to follow simple safety rules and regulations or they do not deserve their licence at all.

Another option could be to introduce the use of traffic lights such as that of the Berakas/Muara round-about which has been very helpful in maintaining the traffic flow. It has proven itself to be effective and I think it is time we introduce traffic lights to the Kiulap round-about as well.

Worried motorist

A comment from one of my readers:

marx-x: pls help ur reader on road safety awareness by posting some road safety tips, eg how to use Kiulap round abt or driving on left lane for SLOW cars, use right lane when OVERTAKING only thanks

So how do you use a roundabout?

Well marx-x, I’m not so sure we should be overtaking at the roundabout in the first place. I think people should really slow down at roundabouts 🙂

This is my buddy DC’s comprehensive guide to using roundabouts:

The traffic directions on the roundabout we have here are wrong. Well, they are not as they are suppose to be. Actually, use of the roundabout is pretty simple. Use these simple rules:

1. Cars on the left lane must leave the roundabout on the first exit.
2. Cars on the middle lane must leave the roundabout on the 2nd exit keeping on the middle lane of the roundabout until they reach their exit point.
3. Cars on the third lane exit on all other lanes.

So, if you were going from Kiulap to RIPAS, keep left, follow the outer most lane and exit immediately on the first exit.

If you were going to Beribi, take the middle lane, enter the round about on the middle lane and exit via the second exit staying on the second lane. Do not cut into the first lane of that exit because that lane is for those coming in from RIPAS to exit to Beribi.

If you want to from Kiulap to Gadong or the Airport, then take the third lane (right lane) and enter the inner roundabout lane. Keep on that lane until you pass the Beribi turn-off, move into that middle lane and turn off into the Gadong-Mall turn-off.

If you want to go Airport, then keep in the middle lane until you pass the Gadong-Mall turn-off (where the cars to your left in the middle lane must exit into the Gadong-Mall turn-off), then signal and move into the middle lane and then out into the Airport exit (right lane).

These roundabouts are meant to provide a smooth traffic system if everyone follows these rules and these are the same rules used in London.

Always remember to give way to cars from your right and signal whenever you change lanes.

PS.. never ever enter the left lane and cut across to an inner lane. A lot of people here do this especially during traffic jams.

Also, if you miss your exit because someone didnt turn off when they should’ve, just remain calm, continue signalling right and make another round on the inner lane of the round about and try the exit again. Hot tempers and impatience at roundabouts are almost always the causes of accidents and usually end up with even more delays.