Navigating the roads can be a complex dance of rules and etiquette, and even the most seasoned drivers can sometimes miss a step.

However, a particular traffic rule has been so frequently misunderstood that it's become a sort of urban legend.

But authorities are stepping in to set the record straight and remind drivers of the crucial, yet often overlooked, aspect of road safety.

Transport authorities in the nation's busiest state are urging the public to remember a crucial road rule that many unknowingly ignore, often dismissing it as a ‘myth’ among drivers.

On Tuesday, January 7, NSW Road Safety, a state government division, released a statement to ‘bust the myth’ that drivers only need to yield to vehicles on their right at roundabouts.

‘The rule is actually that you need to give way to any vehicle already in the roundabout, whether they're entering on your right, left, or directly opposite you,’ they stated.

NSW Road Safety clarified the often-misunderstood rule of giving way to all vehicles in a roundabout, not just those on the right. Credit: NRMA

This clarification is more than just a technicality; it's a matter of safety.

Roundabouts are designed to keep traffic flowing smoothly, but when drivers fail to observe the correct give-way rules, it can lead to confusion, congestion, and, worst of all, accidents.

Although it might seem obvious to some, many people responding to the reminder acknowledged that the rule is frequently overlooked on our roads.

Many drivers have taken to social media and forums to express their frustration with this widespread misunderstanding.

‘This road rule is grossly ignored or misunderstood in NSW,’ one driver commented.

‘Vehicles on the right enter the roundabout at excessive speeds and, of course, make it almost impossible for other traffic to enter, even if they have [the] right of way.’

He also noted that ‘much more driver education is needed’ and suggested that ‘perhaps more police action’ is necessary for this rule to ‘be observed correctly’.

Another person sarcastically remarked that it appears ‘most users have confused’ giving way on a roundabout with ‘enter at the highest possible speed and get ready to stand on the horn’.

Meanwhile, a third suggested, ‘The only way to get drivers to give way to their left and right is to have speed humps at roundabout thresholds.’

NSW Road Safety emphasised the importance of understanding this rule and staying mindful of ‘all vehicles in the roundabout before entering to avoid a crash’.

The consequences of not following this rule are not insignificant. In NSW, incorrect use of roundabouts can result in hefty fines and demerit points.

For instance, failing to signal correctly when entering, navigating, or exiting a roundabout could cost you a $194 fine and two demerit points.

Even more severe is the penalty for not giving way to vehicles already in the roundabout when entering, which could attract a $349 fine and three demerit points.

These penalties are part of a broader effort to reduce road fatalities and improve safety.

In 2024, NSW recorded 340 road fatalities, a number that, while consistent with the previous year, still represents a significant loss of life.

This amounts to 4.01 deaths per 100,000 people, showing a slight decline from 4.08 in 2023.

During the two-week holiday season alone, NSW Police conducted 438,328 breath tests, resulting in 720 drink-driving charges, issued 9,719 speeding infringements, and recorded 1,725 positive drug detections.

While many drivers are being reminded of the critical road rule about giving way at roundabouts, another often-overlooked regulation is also causing confusion—and could hit your hip pocket hard.

Failing to indicate when exiting a roundabout, even if you’re travelling straight, is one of the most misunderstood road rules, and it carries a hefty fine plus demerit points.

Mastering both of these rules is not just about avoiding penalties; it’s about ensuring safer roads for everyone.

Key Takeaways

• NSW Road Safety is highlighting a commonly misunderstood road rule about giving way to all vehicles in a roundabout, not just those on the right.
• There is a call for more driver education and potentially more police action to ensure this rule is observed correctly.
• Incorrect navigation of roundabouts can result in fines and demerit points in NSW, with specific penalties outlined for various offences.
• In 2024, NSW recorded 340 road fatalities, a slight decrease from the previous year, and during a festive period, there were significant numbers of drunk driving charges, speeding infringements, and positive drug detections.

Are you familiar with this road rule? Have you witnessed other drivers committing this act? Let us know your stories in the comments below!

 

[Winks]

It;s been a standard rule since roundabouts were first introduced. But if everyone followed this rule the traffic would be banked up for miles. It's a bit like saying that only one can go a green light at a time. Really stupid rule.

You are not comprehending the rule.

 

[Veggiepatch]

I understand the roundabout rules. I did not say they travel towards me at all. Think about how a roundabout is set up.
car number 1 enters on your left as you car number 2 approach the roundabout. Even though you are on their right, you give way to them as they are already in the roundabout. If no one has entered from your right, you can proceed while giving way to car number 1.

Why would you give way to another motorist who is already at a reasonable distance from you and not coming towards you?

 

[Winks]

That's exactly what you're saying.
Read your post....".....when approaching if there is already a car in the roundabout to your left you must give way to them".... your words to the letter.

That does not mean you have to stop, you can still proceed while giving way to the car already in the roundabout.

 

[Winks]

Why would you give way to another motorist who is already at a reasonable distance from you and not coming towards you?

I didn’t say they were at a reasonable distance. What others are thinking is they cannot enter a roundabout if there is already a vehicle in the roundabout.

 

[Veggiepatch]

I didn’t say they were at a reasonable distance. What others are thinking is they cannot enter a roundabout if there is already a vehicle in the roundabout.

Yes, when travelling towards you, not away from you.

 

[Viellarde]

What I was taught 6 decades ago was First on the roundabout has right of way. It does teach you to look at all traffic.

 

[Dia1Laz2]

The Stop sign is the one 99% of people do not obey. The wheels must come to a complete stop. Vict $384.00 and 3 Demerit points. The other one is people sitting in the R/H lane on any road more than 80kph.
Regards Larry Roberts

 

[Winks]

The Stop sign is the one 99% of people do not obey. The wheels must come to a complete stop. Vict $384.00 and 3 Demerit points. The other one is people sitting in the R/H lane on any road more than 80kph.
Regards Larry Roberts

It’s $514 in South Aust

 

[Mr Chips]

Sorry, that's more confusing.
Roundabouts are a traffic infrastructure designed to keep traffic moving slowly and safely.....ie traffic calming .
You're saying if I'm approaching a Roundabout and there's already a car on the roundabout on my left, I must give way to that car...even if that car has to go all the way around before its even close to me. Sorry, that's crazy.

There could be some confusion here as some of the people reading our posts may be from different countries where they drive on the right-hand side and where traffic would approach them from the left when approaching a roundabout.

 

[Classic141922]

I don't know why they say a little known road rule if people kept up to date with road rules there would be no problems

This roundabout road rule is rediuless and very unsafe

 

[Winks]

I don't know why they say a little known road rule if people kept up to date with road rules there would be no problems

There is nothing hard or confusing about the rule.

 

[freedy50]

‘The rule is actually that you need to give way to any vehicle already in the roundabout, whether they're entering on your right, left, or directly opposite you,’
Seems like a lot of quick thinking to do before you even go on to it!!

I still go by the easy UK way I learnt....."The golden rule for priority on roundabouts is simple: give way to traffic from the right. However, always be prepared for unexpected behaviours and maintain a defensive driving approach."

And if you've got to give way to vehicles already on the roundabout, you're still giving way to vehicles on the right anyway.

NSW say about indicating......."drivers must signal left when leaving a roundabout, if it is practical to do
so, and stop indicating as soon as they have exited the roundabout. When travelling straight ahead on a small single lane roundabout, it may be impractical to indicate left when exiting."

There's a small roundabout locally, in photo, that actually goes to the right but nobody indicates going that way. If people want to go to the road on the left they'll indicate, or if cars are coming from the right and want to go into that road they'll indicate right. Otherwise everyone knows what others are doing there.

 

[freedy50]

Glen you are misinterpreting the rule. You can enter if there is already a car in the roundabout, however when approaching if there is already a car in the roundabout to your left, you must give way to them. The intent is to keep traffic flowing smoothly.

You'd have to give way to them as they're in your way so can't get past them anyway.

 

[Jumping Jack Flash]

Understood all this and I agree, confusing a lot of the times, makes me wonder which bright spark came up with the idea in the first place.

Probably some shiny arse sitting in his Canberra bubble.....

 

[Winks]

You'd have to give way to them as they're in your way so can't get past them anyway.

Of course some would except for those who believe the rule is give way to your right only in a roundabout. I have seen plenty of people plough through a roundabout & blast their horn believing they have right of way. What I meant was if you are approaching a roundabout & someone is approaching from your right you can still enter the roundabout if you have enough room to go through without hindering the vehicle to your right.

 

[freedy50]

Of course some would except for those who believe the rule is give way to your right only in a roundabout. I have seen plenty of people plough through a roundabout & blast their horn believing they have right of way. What I meant was if you are approaching a roundabout & someone is approaching from your right you can still enter the roundabout if you have enough room to go through without hindering the vehicle to your right.

I do enter the roundabout if I can judge I've got enough room to get on it first. otherwise I'd still give way to cars on the right, if already coming round. Although I've often waited for cars from the right to come past me even though they've only just reached the roundabout. Always worked ok for me.

How would the police see it? If a car has already gone over the dotted lines onto the roundabout and you're coming out with lots of room. Would that be not allowing the other car having their right of way?

 

[Winks]

I do enter the roundabout if I can judge I've got enough room to get on it first. otherwise I'd still give way to cars on the right, if already coming round. Although I've often waited for cars from the right to come past me even though they've only just reached the roundabout. Always worked ok for me.

How would the police see it? If a car has already gone over the dotted lines onto the roundabout and you're coming out with lots of room. Would that be not allowing the other car having their right of way?

Yes then you are giving way but many people go through too fast & blast their horn thinking they have right of way, even when you have entered first.

 

[1923cato]

No one has put the question "if you all pull up at the stop sign at the roundabout at the same time, who has to give way"? If everyone has to give away, the traffic would come to a standstill!

 

[Winks]

No one has put the question "if you all pull up at the stop sign at the roundabout at the same time, who has to give way"? If everyone has to give away, the traffic would come to a standstill!

There are no stop signs at roundabouts.