One Way Streets

There are many different types of one way systems and gyratory junctions.  Ring roads in towns, one way streets, roundabouts, large multi lane multi exit gyratory junctions in large cities. They are designed to help keep the traffic moving with the theory that all the traffic gives way to the right hand side. This is instead of having to keep stopping for traffic lights or using T junctions.

Many learner drivers find roundabouts quite daunting at first because it’s moving difficult to assess safety to emerge when you are possibly still moving towards the roundabout and trying to control your speed and decide whether a possibly busy roundabout with moving traffic is safe to merge on to.  However, once you have got some practice and confidence, they are actually easier than normal junctions. The trick is timing on the approach and accurate adjustment of your speed so that you arrive at the roundabout at the time when there is a gap in the traffic already on the roundabout.  Decisions often have to be made when your car and other traffic is moving and so several thoughts are going through your head at the same time. This unfortunately adds to any anxiety, and is completely normal.  High anxiety and thoughts becoming overwhelming causes a surge of adrenaline and this clouds the rational part of the brain because we go into “flight or fight “ at that point , which either makes us speed up in order to get past situation quickly or we stand and fight which entails slamming on the brakes and stopping abruptly. Neither of which is rational and not a good idea.

One way streets are generally the next side road from a “no entry” . if you are turning right INTO a one way then we should turn in on the right hand side of the road we are turning into instead of the left. This allows any traffic that maybe turning left into the same road to join the one way road at the same time. If you need to turn right at the end of the road then stay in the right hand side of the one way road and emerge from the end of the road when it is safe, from that side of the junction. Making sure that if you are rejoining two way traffic, you join it on the correct side.