Driving style in Portugal
 

I've noticed from driving in Portugal that some drivers have a style that I haven't seen before.

Case in point - when approaching a roundabout and the car wants to go straight ahead (2nd exit), the driver would indicate left (as if they want to take the 3rd exit) and indicate right just before exiting. Is this style something they teach during driving school?

Of course most drivers don't indicate but this style really confuses me.

Re: Driving style in Portugal
 

I always thought the car manufacturers could save a fortune by not bothering to fit indicators and mirrors they are so little used ...

Re: Driving style in Portugal
 

It is the officially GNR recognised way of "correctly" driving round a roundabout - exceptions being heavy lorries and exceptional loads (and very slow ones like tractors and such!!) who can go all the way round on the right hand lane, just to confuse matters. Not sure that most of the driving population actually knows this rule as there is often chaos when the "correct" method is used.

Re: Driving style in Portugal
 

The reason it's the GNR recognised way is because that is how the Código da Estrada describes the rules for negotiating roundabouts. A fine of £60 to £300 can be forthcoming for failing to do so.

Re: Driving style in Portugal
 

I do it the "right" way when the way is clear, and any old way when it suits.

When in Rome, you know...

Re: Driving style in Portugal
 

Same issue in France!
Best to stay in the right lane and indicate "right" after you've passed the first/second exits, but many French drivers don't indicate at all and, worse, cut across you to exit. Also, a tad annoying if you're waiting to enter the roundabout, and the approaching driver doesn't indicate that he's turning into your road and you have to wait for the following cars to pass....

Re: Driving style in Portugal
 

"indicate left (as if they want to take the 3rd exit)"
I didn't know about this part, I stay on the inside lane and indicate right and move right just before exiting, if want to go straight ahead.

Re: Driving style in Portugal
 

If there is more than one approach lane, you should only take the right hand lane if exiting at the first exit, everyone else must use the left lane and then indicate and move into the outside as you pass the exit before yours. This animation illustrates the rules in Portugal:

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/british...076a905b9.jpeg

Re: Driving style in Portugal
 

If the above animation does not work here is an image to illustrate:

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/british...e4befb2a7.jpeg

Re: Driving style in Portugal
 

Thanks, Geronimal. I think what you've provided (especially the 2nd image) is pretty much standard stuff on how to position yourself when a roundabout is approaching.

The image provided however does not show how you should indicate. The light blue line (i.e. taking the second exit) is where I require some understanding on how Portuguese drivers have been taught to indicate.

Re: Driving style in Portugal
 

And that image is for a simple roundabout. Imagine the driver must be flicking their indicators up and down non-stop when they navigate through the Plough (aka Magic) roundabout in Hemel Hempstead!

Re: Driving style in Portugal
 

the animation shows this, perhaps it is not ‘animated’ in the post. Basically if taking the second exit (straight on) indicate left then indicate right after the exit before yours.

Re: Driving style in Portugal
 

Hemel Hempstead is still in the UK thankfully. I never really bothered with indicators there anyway, just followed the give way rules, always sailed through it.

Re: Driving style in Portugal
 

Perfect illustration. Now all we need is for the PT drivers who stay on the outside lane when taking 3rd/4th etc exit. It's a jungle out there.

Re: Driving style in Portugal
 

None of the roundabouts where I live in Portugal look anything like the one illustrated. No wonder most drivers here are confused.

Re: Driving style in Portugal
 

It’s just a guide, the rules can surely be applied, it’s not rocket science. But I accept that local knowledge and familiarity is a problem with regards to driving, and it’s the same everywhere, not just Portugal.

Re: Driving style in Portugal
 

Which lane to take on approach if going 2nd exit "straight on" seems to be the main difference and I must admit I'd been driving here a while before I realised that. Though most of that time was in Lisbon, which has the standard big city "anything goes" approach to getting around ;)

I guess it is OK to use right lane to go 2nd exit if the exit is a two lane road though? Anyone know that definitively?

Re: Driving style in Portugal
 

Geronimal , is the second of your illustrations correct for Portugal? My understanding is that to go straight ahead (2nd exit) you should not normally pass the 1st exit in the outside lane.

Re: Driving style in Portugal
 

As illustrated earlier, theoretically the RH Lane should only used when taking the first exit off the roundabout (ie first exit right).
This is according to the Portuguese Highway Code book anyway - but - Roundabouts are a relatively new concept in Portugal and when they first arrived here, the rules on their use were different.
They have been changed over time, and there lies the confusion.

Re: Driving style in Portugal
 

From https://dre.pt/dre/legislacao-consol...830-116041965:

1 - At roundabouts, the driver must adopt the following behaviour:
a) Enter the roundabout after giving way to vehicles circulating in it, whichever route they take;
b) If you want to leave the roundabout on the first exit lane, you must take the right lane;
c) If you want to leave the roundabout by any of the other exit lanes, you should only take the rightmost lane after passing the exit lane immediately before the one you want to exit, progressively approaching it and changing lane after appropriate precautions taken;
d) Without prejudice to the provisions of the preceding paragraphs, drivers must use the most convenient lane for their destination.

2 - Drivers of animal or animal traction vehicles, bicycles and heavy vehicles may occupy the rightmost lane, without prejudice to the duty to provide exit for drivers who circulate in accordance with paragraph c) of n. . 1.

3 - Anyone who violates the provisions of subparagraphs b), c) and d) of paragraph 1 and paragraph 2 shall be sanctioned with a fine of (euro) 60 to (euro) 300.

Re: Driving style in Portugal
 

When I learned to drive in the UK in 1962, one of the places you should not overtake is on a roundabout. If you apply this rule in Portugal and drive defensively, I generally find that roundabouts are only a problem when you meet a stroppy driver and it's best to avoid arguing with them anyway. Give way to anyone slightly in front of you and prepare to floor the accelerator before the next car starts to push in front of you. In Olhāo there's at least one roundabout that used to have a white arrow telling you that the lane was for turning off at the 9 o'clock exit (to the port). Without the arrow, the lane would now appear to be for exiting at 12 o"clock as well but no one has told the locals who only use it for heading towards the port. Bringing back the white arrow would make so much sense at this roundabout which looks nothing like the drawing above.

Re: Driving style in Portugal
 

A splendidly Portuguese addition ;)

Re: Driving style in Portugal
 

Sounds to me like a cop out clause to say "do whatever you want"

Another thing I noticed today whilst out driving is how many zebra crossings there are on the roads, like literally there is one at each road intersection. In town centres, it looks like there is a crossing every ten yards of road.

For good measure, they also have zebra crossings mid section of the road, in front of important landmarks, etc.

I just hope jaywalking is illegal in Portugal bcos it is hard not to cross the road at zebra crossings!!!

Re: Driving style in Portugal
 

And they have put them in dangerous places like the exits to roundabouts.

Re: Driving style in Portugal
 

.... and 1d) exists as a foil to complaints that it's impossible to get into the outside lane to take the second (or subsequent) exit, due to vehicles which have remained there "illegally".

Re: Driving style in Portugal
 

And I hope you know that pedestrians have absolute right of way on zebra crossings (except at traffic lights!) and you will frequently see folk just walking straight across, no looking, no checking with the oncoming traffic, just setting off across ... sometimes you as the driver have to guess whether someone on the pavement and approaching the crossing will or will not cross. Nothing like in France where they only have right of way if they are already on the crossing (one foot will do), nope - anyone approaching the crossing with intent, you have to let them cross in PT.

Re: Driving style in Portugal
 

Subject to their compliance with the Código da Estrada.
https://automoveis-online.com/polici...na-passadeira/

Re: Driving style in Portugal
 

Went over a crossing today as someone was approaching it with intent, thought "oops, that was a misjudgement" then "damn, there's a GNR car just behind me"

The GNR put their foot down, swerved past the pedestrian, overtook me and vanished into the distance :lol:

Re: Driving style in Portugal
 

I wonder if they teach that at school, cos it is the teenagers and student-types that are the worst with ear phones in and nose in phone! We will continue to drive slowly in town (GNR notwithstanding!! Alan PT), and will take note of all and sundry lurking by crossings - not worth the hassle of risking a problem.

Re: Driving style in Portugal
 

Many have died asserting their rights.

Re: Driving style in Portugal
 

Of course you should indicate left on entrance to a roundabout!
How else are people going to know that you are about to go around anticlockwise?

Whatever the rules are, if you want to survive, be prepared for the reality:

1. Ignore any indicators on other cars and assume they may well do anything at any time (this will invariably be unnecessary as indicator stalks are only for Magic Tree air fresheners)

2. Assume that the driver will invariably take the route that is easiest for them, as if there is no one else on the road (e.g. straight ahead at roundabout = right lane entrance, cutting straight across to inside left lane and then back to right lane on exit)

The above applies to all aspects, not just roundabouts

Re: Driving style in Portugal
 

Upon turning over his tourist bar to his son, dad reveals his secret to keeping the tables full;

"When an Italian table starts to get too quiet, sidle over and ask who the sexiest woman is in the world. They'll argue and drink into the night. You need to add variations if they stay; only actresses or different eras.
With the Germans, ask about cars. There's a list of good car questions in the top desk drawer.
"The French love to argue about wine, I've left a list of wine questions that I found work really well."

"What about the English Dad?"

"Oh, they're easy. just ask how to navigate a roundabout. You don't need a list, you can just use the same question every night and they'll talk about it until dawn."

Re: Driving style in Portugal
 

We have one of those magic roundabouts in Colchester - works so well, :)

Re: Driving style in Portugal
 

:hysterical: