The Roundabout With a Blocked Exit
You approach a large two-lane roundabout in light rain. You intend to take the third exit, which is a major road. As you enter, you see that the exit road is congested and cars are queued back onto the roundabout, partly blocking the circulating lane. A car in the left lane beside you is signalling to continue around. A cyclist is entering from your left. Your speed is about 35 km/h. There is a clear lane to your right inside the roundabout.
1. How do you manage the blocked exit and the lane choice?
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Do not enter the roundabout if your exit is blocked, because you could stop in the circulating lane and create a hazard. If you are already circulating and the exit is blocked, continue around again rather than stopping abruptly. Use the correct lane for your exit and do not change lanes across the path of the car beside you. Because the car in the left lane is continuing around, avoid cutting across it.
Watch for the cyclist entering from your left and give way as required. Keep speed low in the wet, signal your exit, and be ready for queued traffic. If you must wait, choose a gap in the queue rather than blocking the roundabout.
2. What does the rain change about your following distance and speed?
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Wet roads reduce grip and increase stopping distance, so slow down and increase your following gap. A common guide is at least a three-second gap in good conditions and more in rain, because braking distances lengthen and visibility is reduced. Reduce speed before the roundabout, brake gently and earlier, and avoid sudden steering. Also check your mirrors and blind spots more often, because spray and wet windows reduce what you can see.