Let us look at the real issues here.

A lesson that says it all

Out on a driving lesson the other day, this is what happened.

During the lesson, the learner arrives at a roundabout and approaches it in a nice, steady manner — learning how to observe the actions of other road users. It takes them a few moments to safely judge the situation, because that is exactly what they are taught to do.

The learner misses the first gap in the traffic on the roundabout. Before another safe gap even appears, the driver behind loses patience, blames the learner, and leans on the horn — not a polite toot, but a full-blooded blast. Perhaps bullying will make the learner a quicker, safer driver.

Setting an example — or not

A few minutes later, the learner stops at a pedestrian crossing to allow someone to cross. The following driver pulls up alongside the learner on the zig-zag lines, winds down his window and shouts “Bl**dy W***ers” — phone held to his face — before speeding off.

What a great example this sets for a learner driver.

Let us be clear about hesitation

Most hesitation at roundabouts is caused by the drivers already on them.

The drivers who cannot be bothered to use their indicators — I am becoming increasingly convinced that on some makes of cars indicators are optional extras, or perhaps on electric and hybrid cars they drain the battery.

The drivers who drift across multiple lanes with no consideration for anyone alongside them.

And those who expect other road users to guess what they are doing or where they are going — despite the fact I cannot find a crystal ball that fits neatly on the dashboard.

If you cannot signal, position properly or communicate clearly, then you are the danger — not the learner trying to avoid a collision.

Using the horn solves nothing

Using the horn does not make you clever.

It does not make you better than others.

It does not make you fast.

What it does do is make you part of the problem.

Before you blame the learner

So please, before you lay into the next anxious learner or new driver, ask yourself a few simple questions:

• Did I give them the information they needed?
• Am I just being impatient?
• What are the rules?

The real issue at roundabouts

Learners are not the issue at roundabouts.

The issue is sloppy drivers who believe rules, indicators and manners are optional.

End of rant.