Roundabouts can be confusing and frustrating for many drivers; even the most seasoned Australian motorists can get it wrong.

A recent viral dashcam footage has sparked a heated debate online.

It reveals a widespread misunderstanding of roundabout rules that could lead to dangerous situations on the road.

The video, which has since been removed, showed a car with a dashcam approaching a roundabout and taking the right, inside lane.

The driver indicated right, passed two exits, and then signalled left to take the third exit.

However, a near-miss occurred when a small truck entered the roundabout, almost colliding with the dashcam-equipped car as the driver attempted to exit.

Viral dashcam footage sparked debate over roundabout rules and revealed confusion among Aussie drivers. Credit: Facebook

The online community quickly weighed in, with many commenters pointing fingers at the dashcam driver for being in the wrong lane.

'Why are you exiting a roundabout from the inside lane?' one person questioned.

'The one driving this car is the problem. Go back and learn the road rules,' another commenter criticised.

Yet, the driver who posted the clip defended their actions, citing the road markings as guidance.

Indeed, upon entering the roundabout, a large white arrow on the right-hand lane indicated that drivers should be in the inside lane to turn right.

This sparked further debate, with some supporting the driver's interpretation of the road markings.

'Oh dear, all these people saying she's in the wrong lane are part of the problem,' a social media user said.

To clarify Queensland's rules for turning right at a roundabout:

First, position your vehicle in the right lane unless road markings indicate otherwise.

As you approach and enter the roundabout, use your right indicator.

Give way to all vehicles that are already on the roundabout.

Before exiting, switch to your left indicator and follow the exit lane markings.

Finally, stop indicating once you have exited the roundabout.

Confusion often arises when drivers are unsure which lane to be in when planning to exit the roundabout, especially if they take any exit other than the first.

The key is to plan ahead, position your vehicle in the correct lane before entering the roundabout, and be aware of and follow the specific lane markings present.

Key Takeaways

• After dashcam footage went viral, it sparked a debate on the correct usage of roundabouts, highlighting widespread confusion about the road rules among Australian drivers.
• The footage showed a near-collision at a roundabout, where the dashcam car's driver was criticised for exiting from the inside lane and nearly hitting a small truck.
• Commenters on social media were divided over who was at fault, with many mistakenly blaming the dashcam driver for misunderstanding the road markings.
• The Queensland government's rules stated that drivers should use the right lane to turn right at a roundabout unless indicated otherwise, use their right indicator upon entering, give way to vehicles already on the roundabout, use the left indicator before exiting following the lane marking, and stop indicating once they've exited.

Have you encountered similar confusion at roundabouts, or do you have tips for navigating them safely? Share your experiences and advice in the comments below.

 

[Greg350]

I’ve always looked at it this way, if your in the left lane you exit left first and second roads, if your in the right lane you exit second third or forth, sometimes it doesn’t always work with other traffic entering the roundabout

And sometimes it doesn't work because lanes go go in ANY direction depending on the design.

 

[Greg350]

Giveway to traffic on the roundabout.
Technically there is supposed to be only one car on the roundabout at a time, so the person on the inside lane has right of way to exit and no other cars should be on the roundabout until that car has moved off.

That is not true at all. Numerous vehicles can be on the roundabout at the same time.

You must Give Way to vehicles on the roundabout, that means to allow them to go if there's a chance of a collision, it DOES NOT mean only one car at a time, lol.

 

[Greg350]

I would be very concerned if I had to give way to someone on my left at a roundabout. Why would I give way to somebody who had already passed me. Unless you are implying that the driver is negotiating the roundabout in an anti clockwise direction!

And there you have it, YOU do not understand roundabouts.

Marvin is absolutely correct. You give way to vehicles in the roundabout, that means coming around on the RIGHT, but also to any vehicles that enters before you at the entry point on your LEFT.

That could be a slow moving car, a bus, truck, caravan, whatever, but you slow down, and that allows the next entry point vehicle to go and you follow them around, you don't blast your horn, wave your arms and complaining because they got in your way.