A driver has been slammed for using an “ingenious” method to completely cut out queues on a roundabout, with some people saying it’s a “d**k move” while others call it “genius”
A driver has been praised for their crafty “loophole” which helps them swerve lengthy queues at busy roundabouts, though it has sparked debate among some motorists, with some slamming it as selfish while others are kicking themselves for not thinking of it first. Navigating roundabouts can be a nightmare for both new and seasoned drivers alike, with hundreds of Highway Code regulations to remember.
The code provides comprehensive guidance on tackling roundabouts, with all motorists familiar with the basics – including using mirror-signal-manoeuvre “at all stages” and giving way to traffic from the right “unless directed otherwise by signs, road markings or traffic lights” – though some drivers have mastered using lanes to their benefit.
A technique being called “the slingshot” sees drivers wanting to exit left at the first exit instead positioning themselves in the right-hand lane before entering the roundabout, travelling all the way around it and coming back on themselves to take their desired exit, effectively skipping past the queue of vehicles waiting in the left-hand lane to turn left.
Footage of someone executing this clever manoeuvre was posted online, with one driver sharing it on Reddit to question its legality.
The Reddit user uploaded the clip and wrote: “Saw this on socials. He basically takes the first exit but goes all around to avoid the queue. Is it legal?”
In the comments section, people voiced their opinions. One person said: “Absolutely legal.”
Another shared: “I’m more annoyed he’s filmed it and shown everyone else.” A third Reddit user said: “He is giving away all the best tricks!”
Someone else commented: “Exactly my thinking, I assumed it was an obvious loophole that most folks would do, but nahhh, it’s usually me skipping the 30 cars and doing ye olde slingshot.”
Someone else added: “Not only legal, but ingenious.”
Another shared: “I’ve been doing this for years, never understood why so many others just wait in line. The roundabout has a whole 2nd lane of capacity totally unused, why not use it.
“I’ve seen in the thread that it’s considered a d**k move, but I cannot fathom why it would be, it’s other road users’ choice to sit in line if they want to, this option is available to anyone and is totally within the rules. Using half the road’s capacity is just silly.”
Someone else queried whether the “slingshot” was better or worse for traffic and road congestion.
They said: “I’ve actually just thought about it again and realised that another side effect of many cars doing the slingshot would be that they would block traffic from entering the roundabout from other exits.
“And fewer cars entering from other roads would presumably mean more traffic could enter from the road in question, so therefore it would indeed speed things up for everyone coming from that road, at the cost of queues starting to build up on other entrance roads.
“But then what if everyone on those other roads started slingshotting as well? My head hurts.”
And another surmised: “More people doing this = more people on the roundabout = everyone waits longer for a gap so you can enter.”
Someone else added: “I do it if I can’t be a**ed or in a rush. But if everyone did it the whole roundabout would be just as slow.
“Now imagine you want to turn right but are stuck behind a queue of 10 cars trying to slingshot. Be happy people are happy to wait in line for you.”