Do any drivers find big roundabouts leading to dual carriageway/motorway confusing?

[LottaBerry]

Do any drivers find big roundabouts leading to dual carriageway/motorway confusing?
I'm fine on normal roads, "normal" roundabouts, and fine on dual carriageways once I'm on them but the big roundabouts leading to the dual carriageways I find very stressful and confusing about which lane I need to be in for my exit :(.There are some road markings but they're so faded, they're of almost no use and signs aren't very helpful either.

Also, how can you tell when to be in the right hand lane for a right turn as say there's 3 lanes on a road, and my next direction is to take the second road on the right.. I don't always know if the right lane is for first road right at this point and so I should stay in the centre lane and then move to the right hand side lane once I've passed the first road on the right (moving at this late stage is not always easy/possible in high traffic) but I'm worried about taking the right hand lane to early on if it means that's only for the first turn right..

I hope my questions make sense?

I generally find driving OK but these things are very stressful and sometimes I feel I'm the only one :(

@KnifeAngel I do know the highway code - I've read it through twice and I am familiar with the generic roundabout rule but it just doesn't really apply in all cases, esp ones near motorways..!

Thanks everyone for all the help so far :) the logic about assuming right hand lane and then merging to centre if incorrect makes a lot of sense :) I always tend to (wrongly) feel the centre lane is the easier go to option when unsure...

knife it was clear from Ops post that she wasn't talking about your average roundabout. Lots of big multiple roundabouts won't follow those rules.

With regards to your turn OP, I would probably be in the right hand lane to go for the second right, however with turns like that it is very often a case of following the signs and road markings, because each one is different. There are quite a few turns like that near me and they all follow different rules.

My driving instructor taught me that the lanes are there so, for example, the right hand turning people don't have to wait and block the driving straight on people. So in this context, you taking the right lane for the second right wouldn't delay anyone except yourself as you have to wait for the first right to become clear before driving to the second right junction.

It might be a good idea to have some confidence lessons with an instructor to specifically tackle roundabouts.

Weirdly I find these sorts of roundabouts are better in rush hour. Most people on it just want to get home/to work safely.

OP, I understand your diagram and what you mean.

In London, the A501 (Marlebone Rd/Euston Road) is like that. If you move into the right hand lane too early, you may get stuck behind cars turning at the next right as it becomes a dedicated lane. You may then be forced to follow through as it is very awkward with fast moving cars and impatient drivers to do otherwise. A nightmare because of all the one way streets and no right turns in the area.

Just try to keep an eye on all the road signs and lane markings. Also, maintain a speed which gives you time to process all the information and manouevre safely should you need to.

Is there a confident driver you know who can drive you around this roundabout a few times, explaining which lane to be for each exit, and when to move lanes.
Not all roundabouts have the same rules but if someone can show you what lane to be in, you will quickly gain confidence when you have driven it yourself a few times.

I think it depends. Some roundabouts are great, as long as you get into the right lane at the beginning (not hard if it's properly signposted) you stay in that lane all the way round and it delivers you onto the right exit.

But yes, some are not so great - either because of signage or making you change lanes or both. But never be scared of indicating to say you want to change lanes, the grumpy impatient people behind you can sound their horns but it costs them nothing to let you over as long as you don't just move.

I find it alarming that anyone who drives finds big roundabouts etc confusing. Incompetent drivers are dangerous and should think seriously about taking an advanced driving course.

@LottaBerry two tips that may be helpful to you:

1. If you are at a roundabout and not sure what lane to go in, you can go on the inside lane and just go round the whole thing to get your bearings, then exit when you know what's what.

1. If you take the wrong lane and end up on the wrong exit...SO WHAT? You can turn round or let Google Maps re-route you. It will be ok!

(My counsellor asked me this when I was fretting over a drive I had to do overseas on unknown roads)

Also 3. if you have to navigate Hangar Lane gyratory, do not hesitate, deviate or look round you. Just go where you are headed and ignore everyone else. Do not make the mistake of trying to work out what other vehicles are planning to do!

Some of the really big ones with faded markings can be a bit at times. I tend to work on the principle that they're equally confusing for everyone unless they do it every day, avoid any sudden changes of lane of course, and if in doubt, you can always go around twice. Even if you take the wrong exit it's no big deal - you will always be able to turn around eventually and have another go. These things happen. The main thing is to not cut anyone up or cause a crash!

Satnavs with lane guidance can help too. But ultimately, the worst that can happen if you pick the wrong lane and stick with it is that you go the wrong way - well, it happens, and it's no big deal. Better to do that than have a crash.