Roundabouts began to spring up everywhere in Greece in the last decade. They have been used for many decades around the world. There are several reasons they are preferred to the classic cross sections. If properly designed and used they are more effective, safe and economical. While they help reduce the speed of vehicles coming to the junction, they provide better traffic flow and eliminate expensive light-signaling systems.But who has priority in a roundabout? How should a driver behave at such a junction? What does the Greek Highway Code say?
Globally, the rule is that priority is given to the one who moves within the roundabout. This makes sense as this avoids any traffic congestion within the junction.
In Greece, the Highway Code has no particular reference to roundabouts. Therefore, Article 26, which refers generally to junctions, applies. In paragraphs 4 and 5 concerning the priority it states: ‘at junctions the priority shall be defined by appropriate signage. At the junctions without such signage the priority belongs to the one who comes from the right.” However, this means that priority is given to the person who enters the roundabout. In other words, it goes against the logic that priority should be given to the vehicle that moves in the roundabout. Therefore usually at the roundabouts there is signage that gives priority to those who move within the junction. Drivers moving through a roundabout should be particularly careful and observe if at the entrances of the junction there are (octagonal) STOP signs or triangles that give priority. In this case the priority is given to the vehicle moving inside the junction.
What should we do when arriving at a roundabout?
- Reduce speed and show great care
- Observe if there is signage and check to our right
- Decide which exit you need to take as early as possible
- Use the mirror-signal-maneuver process
- Get into the correct lane
- Adjust our speed and position to the traffic conditions
- Give priority to the one coming from the right unless the signage tells us otherwise
- If we have priority, we enter the roundabout after checking if the traffic has moved off in front of us.
- To exit the roundabout we signal right and enter the right hand lane an exit before ours. If we make a full circle, we drive in the left hand lane and enter an exit on the right before exiting the roundabout. Always inform lane changes using our indicators.
- We are always careful and give priority to pedestrians, cyclists and vehicles in front of us who want to exit the junction.
In any case, special attention, patience and respect for other drivers is required. Research shows that a large percentage of drivers (over 70%) do not know how to drive properly at a roundabout, so if you are not sure what to do let others pass first.