Typically seen on Hong Kong roads Roundabout there are conventional roundabouts and spirals. Though they appear comparable, they’re truly totally different in utilization and driving routes.
Though highway indicators have been erected for drivers to differentiate, Educating Info, however the roundabout Visitors Accidents How ought to we distinguish and use roundabouts and spirals accurately? Kwiksure will evaluate the similarities and variations between conventional roundabouts and new spirals and supply steering for drivers to Beginner the roundabout could be simply negotiated.
The Automobile Insurance coverage Claims Course of in Hong Kong (with a settlement letter template)
The right way to distinguish between conventional roundabouts and spirals
The unique intention of organising roundabouts is to make visitors move smoother at intersections with out having to attend for visitors lights. Nonetheless, many roundabouts in Hong Kong have grow to be visitors accident black spots. Along with drivers not taking note of highway situations, inadequate data of conventional roundabouts and spirals can be one of many causes of accidents. Let’s first take a look at the way to distinguish between conventional roundabouts and spirals.
When approaching a roundabout
Earlier than getting into a roundabout/spiral,You will note a triangular signal about 100 meters forward that claims ’roundabout’. This implies there shall be a roundabout forward. About 50 meters earlier than the roundabout/spiral, you will note a big blue signal that claims “Instructions”.。
Conventional roundabout:
Roundabouts are proven as circles.A single straight line is used to point the connecting roads to different exits。
Spiral:
Roundabouts are proven as circles.A number of curved traces encompass the skin, and lengthen to different highway exits.
Coming into and leaving roundabouts
In line with the Transport Division’s ‘How a lot are you aware in regards to the guidelines for utilizing roundabouts?’, when approaching a roundabout, you must decelerate, determine as early as doable which exit you’ll take, drive into the right lane, be sure that there aren’t any different automobiles approaching from the appropriate, and switch left into the roundabout when it’s secure.
Conventional roundabout:
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In case you take the primary exit to depart the roundabout (i.e. flip left), activate the left flip sign and observe the left lane to enter and exit the roundabout.
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If you must take the second exit (i.e. go straight), you may enter the roundabout alongside the left or proper lane. After passing the primary exit, activate the left flip sign and exit the roundabout alongside the unique lane (typically, automobiles within the left lane can’t flip proper, however for the sake of warning, it is suggested that automobiles in the appropriate lane examine whether or not there are different automobiles approaching from the left when leaving the roundabout).
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If you must go away the roundabout from the third exit (i.e. flip proper), you must first activate the appropriate sign and enter the roundabout alongside the appropriate lane. When approaching the exit, activate the left flip sign and take note of the automobiles within the left lane. After making certain that the scenario is secure, proceed to depart the roundabout alongside the appropriate lane.
Spiral:
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In case you take the primary exit to depart the roundabout (i.e. flip left), activate the left flip sign and observe the left lane to enter and exit the roundabout.
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If you must take the second exit (i.e. go straight), you may enter the roundabout alongside the left or proper lane. After passing the primary exit, activate the left flip sign and exit the roundabout alongside the unique lane (typically, automobiles within the left lane can’t flip proper, however for the sake of warning, it is suggested that automobiles in the appropriate lane examine whether or not there are different automobiles approaching from the left when leaving the roundabout).
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If you must go away the roundabout from the third exit (i.e. flip proper), you must first activate the appropriate sign and enter the roundabout alongside the appropriate lane. When approaching the exit, activate the left flip sign and take note of the automobiles within the left lane. After making certain that the scenario is secure, proceed to drive out of the roundabout alongside the appropriate lane.
Completely different between Conventional roundabouts and spirals
From the above utilization, we will see that the normal roundabout and the spiral are precisely the identical! The distinction is that the left lane automobiles will not be allowed to show proper on the spiral, and there are highway indicators on the bottom to point the route of journey.This causes some drivers to fret about not with the ability to go away the meant exit in time when driving alongside the appropriate lane, in order that they occupy the left lane for a very long time, rising the prospect of visitors accidents.
Conventional roundabouts/spirals: who has precedence?
Though the foundations for using roundabouts are so clear, why do roundabouts in Hong Kong nonetheless trigger many visitors accidents? The principle purpose is the precedence concern when vehicles are leaving.
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Utilizing a conventional roundabout: Automobiles travelling alongside the interior lane should give solution to automobiles travelling alongside the outer lane earlier than leaving the roundabout.
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Utilizing the brand new roundabout: automobiles travelling alongside the outer lane should give solution to automobiles leaving the roundabout from the interior lane first
Whether or not it’s a conventional roundabout or a spiral, look to the appropriate when getting into and to the left when exitingDevelop good defensive driving habits to stop automobiles from crossing your line from the left rear. Additionally, pay attention to longer vehicles which will cross the road when getting into and exiting roundabouts, inflicting Visitors Accidents。
Roundabout Visitors Blackspot
Roundabout blackspots the place visitors accidents have occurred embody:
Tsuen Tsing Interchange(Tsuen Wan Street)
Tsuen Kam Interchange(Texaco Street North / Wai Tsuen Street)
Sai Kung Nam Pin Wai Roundabout
Axe Hill Street Roundabout, Diamond Hill
Tseung Kwan O Movie Street / Po Ning Street Spiral
Spiral at Sheung Tak Property, Tseung Kwan O
Regularly requested questions
What’s the distinction between a conventional roundabout and a spiral?
When leaving a conventional roundabout, the within lane provides solution to the skin lane, however at a brand new spiral, the skin lane provides solution to the within lane, and the precedence is strictly the alternative.
How do I exploit my lights when getting into a roundabout?
If you’re turning left when getting into, activate the left sign; in case you are turning proper, activate the appropriate sign; in case you are going straight, don’t activate the sign, and activate the left sign earlier than leaving the exit.
Missed your exit at a roundabout?
By no means change lanes immediately. Proceed circling and wait till you’re near the exit once more earlier than exiting safely.
How are you aware if a roundabout is conventional or spiral?
Take note of whether or not there are clear marking traces (lanes separating totally different exits) and arrows on the bottom.