Kuwait Times

Published Date: February 09, 2007

Roundabout is a threatening aspect of driving in Kuwait, especially for newcomers. I will offer you a few tips, techniques and philosophies to apply to driving through a roundabout in Kuwait. This is how it is done:

When approaching a roundabout
When reaching a roundabout, before entering, make sure you stick your car out as far as possible into oncoming traffic. This informs the cars that are in the roundabout that you are getting ready to enter. By disturbing the flow of traffic with the front end of your car, this will eventually allow you to finally enter.

Never come to a full stop while waiting for your turn; stopping is a sign of weakness. When attempting to enter you must be fearless. If the other cars detect that you are not confident in your attempts, they will make sure you never get by.   

When deciding to make your move, you must gauge when is an appropriate time. The rule of thumb: Any space between two cars is sufficient. No matter how small the space, you should attempt to fit your SUV between these cars.

Another rule when making your move is to notice what the other cars are doing.  If the car in front of you, beside you or any close vicinity has gone, then you must go as well. Make sure that it is not only one car merging, but rather a gang of cars. There must be at least five cars attempting to merge for the car in the roundabout to take you seriously.

While actually merging, you must take your time. Do this as slow as humanly possible. You might want to come to a full stop half way through the process. This is how it is done in Kuwait; it is expected of you. Otherwise, the traffic might flow smoothly; not what is the norm within a roundabout...

Rule within the roundabout
When you're in the roundabout, the rules completely change. People trying to enter are now your enemy, you must act as though your father owns this roundabout and you will not allow trespassing. Don't let anyone pass; this might result in you being a couple of seconds late - unacceptable!

Firstly, never actually pick the inside or outside lane. Drive somewhere in the middle. You do this because you never know when you feel like exiting the roundabout. Do not confine your car to a specific place, keep things open.
Of course, now that you are in, you hit the gas. Your job now is to go as fast as possible. When passing an intersection, honk at any and everybody. Honking will tell them that you are coming and make sure to couple that with a few dirty looks. You want them to be threatened; the roundabout is not a place to be making friends.

Make sure to stick to the car in front of you, the two cars must look as though they are connected. Any space between you both will give the other cars the illusion that they can merge in. As if!!

Departing the roundabout

Now that you have gone around a couple of times, you have to decide where you actually want to go. The last thing you want to do is give the other cars indication of where you plan on going; you never ever put on your signal.
Leaving is done on a last minute basis. You will swerve your car at the last possible second in order to make your exit. If other cars have a problem with this, simply honk at them, because they are obviously the ones to blame.
It does not matter where you are placed in the roundabout, inside or outside lane, if you have to go, you have to go. Even if there are four cars to the right of you, you make your way, aggressively, through those cars. It is your right. Your father owns the roundabout, remember?

Exiting is similar to entering in the sense that it is done extremely slowly. There is no reason to rush now, your job is done. Make sure you inconvenience the cars behind you, that will be your parting gift to them.
You have now exited, simply repeat these techniques at the next roundabout and you will become a respected driver in Kuwait.