Roundabouts in Ireland

How to Safely Negotiate a Roundabout

The following rules apply when driving at a roundabout in Ireland:

Vehicles which are already on the roundabout have right of way over those approaching
When entering a roundabout, give way to vehicles coming from the right
If you can see that the roundabout is clear and free of traffic, you should enter the roundabout without stopping

Turning Left

When approaching the roundabout, stay in the left-hand lane, indicate “left” as you approach and continue to indicate until you have passed through the roundabout.

Going Straight Ahead

When approaching the roundabout, stay in the left-hand lane but do not indicate “left” until you have passed the first exit.

Turning Right

When approaching the roundabout, stay in the right-hand lane, indicate right on your approach and maintain this signal until you have passed the exit before the one you intend to take. Then change to the “left” turn indicator.

Your Comments

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Posted by: Wendy
28 Oct 2007, 21:05
On larger roundabouts, especially ones with signals or nearer large cities, the lanes are pretty clearly marked directly on the road as you approach the intersection. Stick to these road markings (and look for signage, too) especially when it's really heavy traffic.

My question is for the smaller roundabouts. On our last trip I had been told that the inside lane (shown in the second figure with the dashed line) is for right turning vehicles only. But, as the dashed line shows, I had previously thought you could go through (straight) on both lanes.
Which is the correct rule?

Also, some of these roundabouts split fromone lane into two lane as you approach and then merge into one directly after the roundabout. Are these the ones where you use the inner lane to make a right turn only? Or should everyone just be careful to merge together once through?

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