Roundabout Info

the main thing is that there are rarely serious accidents on roundabouts because they are all about giving way ,
the vehicles to watch and be very wary of are the hgv lorries they will always go the long way round .

The Guardia Trafico like drivers to use what they refer to as the "courtesy signal"on roundabouts.
If you are taking the first exit use your right indicator as normal.
For subsequent exits use your left indicator until you wish to exit then use your right.
This is how they do it in France too.
Personally I always use the right lane all round a roundabout until I reach my exit as described above.It goes without saying that good all round observation is required to spot those using roundabouts as a very short overtaking lane.
Anyone exiting a roundabout from other than the right lane is automatically at fault in the event of an accident.

Barry martyn wrote:the main thing is that there are rarely serious accidents on roundabouts because they are all about giving way

They are not "all about giving way" because if you're in the correct lane (as defined by the diagram anyway) then you need give way to nobody and a lack of serious accidents will more likely be due to traffic moving relatively slowly, 40kph or less if the speed limit signs are being observed.

Big Wheeler wrote:The Guardia Trafico like drivers to use what they refer to as the "courtesy signal"on roundabouts.
If you are taking the first exit use your right indicator as normal.
For subsequent exits use your left indicator until you wish to exit then use your right.
This is how they do it in France too.
Personally I always use the right lane all round a roundabout until I reach my exit as described above.It goes without saying that good all round observation is required to spot those using roundabouts as a very short overtaking lane.
Anyone exiting a roundabout from other than the right lane is automatically at fault in the event of an accident.

And that's where the problem lies. "Signal" The Spanish just dont Indicate.
Were they to use their indicators and do something really stupid like tell other road users what they were intending it would make driving so much easier.

I wonder sometimes if Indicators are classed as "extras" when the Spanish buy a New Car and they have to pay to get them installed

The only safe way is to be extremely aware of all other vehicles anywhere near you on roundabouts and always anticipate the unexpected. Then you have a slight chance of remaining safe.

Good advice

In my experience when the Spanish do use indicators it's to the Arabic standard, i.e. they indicate according to which way they are turning the wheel which might be fine if actually turning right or left but is completely unnecessary and confusing when entering a roundabout where the first part of the maneuver is to turn slightly to the right.

Often once on the roundabout they will then indicate left simply because that have now turned the wheel to the left to follow the curve but that cannot be taken to mean that they are going round and taking the 3rd exit turning left.

I find the best strategy is to ignore, or certainly not trust, indicators but instead rely on observation and judgement to try and decide what someone is intending to do - and be prepared for when they do the exact opposite!

I also adopt the local habits which for the most part in Spain means not using the indicators at all.

The 'When in Rome drive like a Roman' strategy is one which has served me faithfully while living and driving in numerous parts of the world and now in Spain is no different.

It's when you try to drive the English way that you're most likely to get into trouble because it's not what the locals expect.

A.N.Other wrote:.....
The 'When in Rome drive like a Roman' strategy is one which has served me faithfully while living and driving in numerous parts of the world and now in Spain is no different.

You are absolutely correct. And, you can’t drive the Boulevard Peripherique like an Englishman either

I don't think some of us brits can be too smug about lack of use of indicators by the locals.
The boulevard Peripherique should not be too dramatic if you remember 2 things.
Only use lanes 2 or 3 unless you are exiting.
Remember that this is the last road in France where priorite a droit exists.this means that traffic hurtling down the slip road has priority over traffic already on it.Parisians don't do defensive driving!
Better still.Use one of the other ring roads around Paris.

Priorite a droit still very much exists all over France.

Unfortunately regardless of signage the places where it's actually observed can all too too often be down to nothing but local knowledge.