Since the first roundabouts or roundabouts were installed in our country, they have been built quite a bit in Spain. The fact is that over the years many drivers have the same doubt: how should we drive there and when should we signal or how to get in and out of it? The same could be said about knowing where to position yourself and in what way.
All of this generates numerous road accidents each year. This led the General Directorate of Traffic to explain to us everything we need to do when we find ourselves on the said circular road.
DGT data
The DGT data is clear and indicates that the total number of deaths due to road accidents on the roads of our country this year has been 971 people.
All this represented an increase of up to 23% compared to the same period of last year, although in the month of October of this 2024 there was a lowest number of deaths since 2011.
Many deaths are caused by the driver being over the alcohol limit, not wearing a seat belt, or being distracted. The fact is that a large proportion of deaths occur on conventional straight roads, not to mention the high percentage that occurs at roundabouts.
As the DGT tells us, one in three drivers involved in accidents at roundabouts has committed an offense, particularly for not having respected the priorityexcessive speed or failure to maintain a safe distance.
Likewise, violations of priority rules are most frequent at roundabouts, where they are one in five. The DGT explains to us that the main regulations specify that vehicles circulating inside the roundabout will have priority over those entering it, provided that a sign, a traffic light or a road marking, as well as a agent do not order otherwise. .
How to drive? : the DGT explains how
What the DGT does is clarify the doubts in this sense that exist when driving, entering or leaving the roundabout, because as the General Directorate of Traffic says, when you reach the roundabout you must look left, be patient and do not rush, in addition to reducing speed and following the corresponding signs.
In this way, for enter a circular square without respecting said priority In terms of overtaking other drivers, sharp braking, overtaking and even collisions between cars are possible.
To enter the roundabout it is important to position yourself correctly, so it is necessary to enter from the right lane, whenever free and possible.
In the same way, you have to drive in the outside laneonce we are inside and whenever it is free, in addition to using the interiors to overtake.
In the case of roundabouts located inside urban areas, we will have to travel using the lane most suitable for our destination, but the most recommended alternative will be outside.
Explanation from the DGT for exiting the roundabout
The said Traffic Agency explains on its website that to exit the roundabout, it is possible to use the outside lane, since leaving the roundabout via the inside lane, when overtaking other carsit is possible that this will lead to a series of particularly serious consequences, where you have to exit to the right.
All this clearly shows us that as a rule that must be followed on a general level, it is not allowed to leave the roundabout via the internal roads and it is necessary to avoid as much as possible the so-called “crossover”, which is a maneuver that makes it entirely possible to collide with another car.
Roundabouts are an outstanding problem
Although we have been using roundabouts as a part of today’s road safety for a decade or more, the truth is that they have not always been understood and used as they should.
For all this, we must pay attention to everything the DGT tells us on this subject. All this should have been understood when obtaining the driving license, but the truth is that some drivers seem to have forgotten the rules. We hope that everything we have told you will be useful for you to travel correctly.
