So im learning. Everything is going fine but i feel like ive lost all confidence with roundabouts. My Instructor doesnt think i have a problem with them, maybe im just lucky as i drive when it isnt rush hour with my instructor.
Today i drove home during rush hour traffic with my dad. He always says i hesitate too much on a rounadbout and often when im stationary waiting to go he will say "go go GO GO GO GO!" and it completely messes me up and i end up flooring it due to the pressure of him telling me what to do like that. Well on the way home today it all got to me and i made a stupid mistake, as i was approaching the roundabout i thought "he will say i hesitate if i stop too long", so i just moved off without really thinking and a car was coming round, no one beeped or anything but another metre and there would have been a collision! This has happened about 3-4 times with my dad and once with my instructor, but that was about 6 weeks ago and i dont do it with my instructor now as she lets me decide when to go. But when im with my dad i just try to wait until there are no cars on the roundabout coming my way because i dont want it to happen again, some drivers dont indicate and ive nearly collided with one of them as well.
So how do i tackle this stupid problem? Other than this my driving is fine and my test is in 4 weeks.

yeah i wasn't keen on roundabouts when i was learning, luckily i had been on a scooter for a year before so had an idea.

EazyE16 said:

some drivers dont indicate and ive nearly collided with one of them as well.
So how do i tackle this stupid problem?

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Way of the world, lack of indication - only experience and learning to anticipate will cure that problem. This is where you need to try and look directly at the other driver, and try and see their true intentions.

And if any doubts, don't go forward.

Stu DemonD said:

Way of the world, lack of indication - only experience and learning to anticipate will cure that problem. This is where you need to try and look directly at the other driver, and try and see their true intentions.

And if any doubts, don't go forward.

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Im always in doubt because about 90% of drivers dont indicate left before their exit even though its straight on from where they joined the roundabout. You are still supposed to signal if you are going straight on.

drive the way you want and tell your dad to shut it - he has the experience and the knowledge to read the road - you dont, you learning

can you not ask your instructor to take you to a busy roundabout

my instructor always stopped me fore i shot into the roundabout
then about 1 X out of 10 he realized i made the correct dision
he also told me to gun it when i was hessitating

For the experienced driver the roundabout mantra is "prepare to stop but look to go". However whilst learning I'd tend to err on the first part of that statement until you build your confidence in reading what the traffic in circuit is doing.

You mention others not indicating, try watching their front wheels and what they're looking at. As they're prepare to exit the roundabout the wheels will straighten and turn to the left. As soon as you see them pass the straightahead towards the left then it's probably safe to go (assuming there isn't another car in another lane.

Silly as this may sound, take a walk to a busy roundabout at rush hour, stand at the kerbside and watch the cars, you'll very quickly pick up the signs you need to able to read to determine where they're going without any indicators. Test yourself by trying to guess where they're going and keep a tally. After a little while you'll see you're getting more and more right. Then try it again in the car.

Also remember that these other visual clues (driver looking at the exit, wheels turning etc) are vital for safe negotiation of the roundabout (and other junctions too) even when the indicators are flashing - how many times do you see a car indicate one thing and do something else?

If you're anything like me one day it will "click" and from that point onwards you'll not be able to work out why you thought they were so hard.

Good luck!

EazyE16 said:

Today i drove home during rush hour traffic with my dad. He always says i hesitate too much on a rounadbout and often when im stationary waiting to go he will say "go go GO GO GO GO!"....

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When you're in the driving seat, you're in control. I'm sure he's trying to help you, but if he's simply telling you what to do, he's undermining you.

I'd say don't go in the car with your dad again. It's clear it's making you nervous, even drivers who have passed can get nervous when giving some people a lift, so avoid these situations if you can.

Remember, your driving instructor is the trained, professional - your dad just has a licence.

i agree with all them ^^^

its up to the driver to decide when its safe, if you go when dad says and crash, it will still be your licence that gets point for failing to give way or other offence

Just do what you think is best and according to the conditions, just try not to rush yourself then you could make a mistake. I passed my driving test in February and got 1 minor for a hesitation at a roundabout, but i rather i did do that, rather than pull out too quikly and cause a possible hazard and maybe get a major.
But good luck in your driving test just try to anticipate what other drivers may do..

i found if i rush i stall

i stalled 3 times on a roundabout on my test
didnt fail
was 100% safe
examiner was nice about it and said
the car does exacly what you tell it to.
made me laugth

If in doubt-wait, you might have to stick a two fingered salute out of the window to the ****ers that are beeping behind you, a gap will appear eventually. I find smiling nicely can result in someone actually flauting all roundabout laws and letting you out sometimes. If you go for the steady option make sure your break lights are working properly and that you use them not just wind down speed naturally or you get someone up your bum... Last time that happened I chased the man down and got cross, (then burst into tears because he was mean)

Um basically if they let me pass my test you'll be fine!!

And wear your seatbelt. It's the law apparently.

dont blame yourself, your dad is a crap teacher.

tell him he is making you feel anxious and you would rather pull on to a roundabout when you feel it is safe. say that is the way your insutrctor does it and it works better for you.

if he cant accept that or you dont think he is capable of shutting his mouth then you shouldnt go out with him. i told my dad this when i was learning, he kicked off but he knew i was right and it did make a difference to his attitude, well it lasted about a week but anyway it was worth a try.

O you poor thing, and I'm not being sarcastic. Sounds like your really getting it in the ear.

I got a minor on my test for apparently going onto roundabouts to fast (yes I did look, it wasn't for not looking) so I had the opposite.

How well do you know the car your learning in? I think some of it is needing to know the size of the car, and power it has to know if you can put your foot down and make it or not.

Jon.

If you're learning on his insurance, next time he says go... go for it. His insurance if someone hits you

I don't really know what you can do i never had a problem with roundabouts, just remember in your test you can fail for hesitation.

Even on my test i put my foot down though i had mine at lunch time 2days before christmas stupid time i know but it was so busy and i was waiting at roundabout i thought if i don't go soon im going to fail so i went for it got up to a 45 in 40 got a minor for use of speed oops lol.

Maybe your just thinking about it too much just go when you feel it's right don't let them pressure you or think they are going to im sure you dad would feel much safer you going when your ready than rushing and something stupid happening.

We all hesititate or go when we shouldn't have even now.

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my dad still tries to tell me how to drive and ive been driving for over 20 years :nutter:

Don't worry about it. As long as your instructor is happy with your roundabout technique that is all that matters.

Driving gets less stressful as you get more experienced, confidence and assertiveness come with a few years driving under your belt. The only opinion that matters when you're behind the wheel is your own.

Remember, as the driver you're responsible for your actions, not your dad.

dave said:

my dad still tries to tell me how to drive and ive been driving for over 20 years :nutter:

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Lol yeah i was in car with my mum other day and i went put my car in reverse not to move just put it in reverse she grabbed me shouting 'theres a car behind you' yes mum i know i was just putting it in reverse ready, jeez louise.

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