Published at 09:05, Saturday, 03 March 2012

Anyone who has ever had driving lessons will have had to learn it.

Anyone who has ever sat a driving test will have been asked to do it. The front cover of the Highway Code even bears a diagram showing how it should be done.

Driving safely round a roundabout is one of the most fundamental skills every would-be motorist has to master.

There’s a reason for that. Roundabouts can be highly dangerous.

So reports that some drivers don’t seem to know how to handle them should worry us – especially as the long-awaited western bypass has nine of them.

It is good news that three driving instructors are highlighting the problem and are setting up an advanced drivers’ network to improve skills. It may just avert an accident.

Over time drivers often lose some of the good habits they were taught as learners. Negotiating a roundabout shouldn’t be one of them.

The rule is that if you are turning right off a roundabout, then you stick to the right-hand lane until you pass the exit before yours.

If drivers have forgotten that they should contact the advance drivers’ network. Admitting a problem is better than endangering lives.

The latest proposals are to give learner drivers lessons on motorways.

Perhaps what they really need are extra lessons on roundabouts.

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk