EVERY time you head out on the roads in the country, vehicles can be seen driving over mini-roundabouts.
While it can infuriate other road users, most drivers are unaware of the rules of approaching these obstacles.
Can I get fined for driving over a mini-roundabout?
It may come as a surprise to many, but driving over a mini-roundabout is illegal as they must be treated as an island in the road.
Any road user caught doing so can be prosecuted and fined.
The law states that drivers of vehicles that are able to manoeuvre around the central island can be punished if they drive across it.
This applies to flat, painted mini-roundabouts as well as raised ones.
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However, the law does make allowances for vehicles that are "physically incapable" of getting around the central island, such as vans and lorries.
As well as this, it is also an offence to ignore traffic signs so failing to comply with signs by driving over a mini-roundabout could land you in even more trouble.
A fixed penalty notice will be between £50 and £300 depending on the severity and can sometimes carry penalty points, although driving over a mini-roundabout is usually not seen as a severe offence.
Who has priority at a mini-roundabout?
Just like with a normal roundabout, priority is given to vehicles on your right.
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This is always the case unless signs, road markings or traffic lights direct you to do something else.
Sometimes, road markings will allow you to proceed without giving way, but you should still always look to your right first just in case.
What are the rules for mini-roundabouts?
The rules for mini-roundabouts are the same as normal roundabouts.
However, when driving around mini-roundabouts there is less room to manoeuvre so extra care must be taken.
The Highway Code states that when approaching a roundabout you should use the mirror-signal-manoeuvre process and adjust your speed depending on the traffic around you.
When taking the first exit, you should signal left just as you would with a regular roundabout.
It is important to watch out for pedestrians crossing the approach and exit roads as endangering pedestrians is a serious offence.
Something worth noting is that a change in the law also states that under Highway Code rule 186 that priority is also to be given to cyclists in such situations.
If you are faced with a double mini-roundabout, or a set of mini-roundabouts, you should treat each roundabout separately and continue to give way to traffic coming from your right for each.
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