Re: Rules of the Road different from in UK ?
 

In no way on earth can the method adopted by Portugal be sensible. That would be the case even if everyone knew and obeyed the rules.
In the UK the rule is that you give way to any vehicle already on the roundabout, clearly to avoid moving vehicles from crossing lanes in front of each other.
Of course on the EN125 in the Algarve, now full of roundabouts every 5 kms, its even worse in summer with, people from the north with less roundabouts and less patients than the Algarvians, and that`s saying something.
Even more fun when you enter a roundabout with 2 lanes, and you are wanting to go straight on, only to find that there is only one lane on the exit.....when someone has entered from the first exit.
But as has been said, if you disobey the rules you can be fined in caught (only place i ever see police is at roundabouts)

Re: Rules of the Road different from in UK ?
 

I don't know of any roundabouts in the Algarve that have the layout shown in the GNR diagram/video. Here they tend to be much smaller with only one lane approaching and one lane at each exit. Those with 2 lanes approaching are the ones that cause a problem, especially when you have a mix of impatient drivers who want to be first, foreign drivers who are used to different rules, drivers who don't know the rules of the road in Portugal even though they live here, and drivers who stick rigidly to the roundabout rules (one in 10 drivers in Olhão). You would think that EU countries would have identical highway codes by now wouldn't you?

Re: Rules of the Road different from in UK ?
 

Last time I looked, traffic regulations, like so much else, is still a state responsibility......... There may be some push towards homogenization, but I wouldn't hold my breath that the Portuguese government, or any other, will cede control.

Re: Rules of the Road different from in UK ?
 

"I don't know of any roundabouts in the Algarve that have the layout shown in the GNR diagram/video"

Try the roundabout near the Lidl in Portimao, although from experience there is more chance of a collision on the roundabout after it, with Av. Sao João de Deus.

Re: Rules of the Road different from in UK ?
 

Oh, so there is one in the west.

Re: Rules of the Road different from in UK ?
 

I like the roundabouts and the roundabout rules in Portugal. I drive mostly in Algarve but when in Lisbon, especially near the airport, roundabouts with six or more lanes and with some lanes having traffic lights! It can be quite complicated. I end up going around a few times until I sort out wants going on :eek:

Re: Rules of the Road different from in UK ?
 

You must not cross a solid white line in the road, I was fined for so doing.

Re: Rules of the Road different from in UK ?
 

I had that happen to me in Spain, but he let me go with a warning.
Where I learned to drive, crossing a white line is allowed, to enter a private drive. Not so in Spain (and Portugal I see).

Re: Rules of the Road different from in UK ?
 

Driving back to my place from the Algarve, you have to pass the junction off the main road as it's on left and the other side of a solid line. Some 300m further on, there is a junction to the right which you have to take, then turn back on yourself to cross both carriageways of the IC1 in order to drive back in the direction of the Algarve to the original junction. Given that it's the brow of a hill and already a black-spot, it all makes sense - but he signage is hilarious! (and the locals often ignore it anyway....)

Re: Rules of the Road different from in UK ?
 

it’s worth pointing out that none of these rules apply to motor cyclists. They seem to have a god given right to overtake everything else on the road and to do so they have to cross solid lines, even at their own peril when an artic is coming fast in the other direction. Absolute madness

Re: Rules of the Road different from in UK ?
 

Is there Código da Estrada is English somewhere online?