How to correctly count exits on a roundabout using a navigator: analysis of errors and life hacks

Roundabouts remain one of the most controversial elements of road infrastructure - even experienced drivers sometimes get confused when determining the correct exit. And if you add to this the navigator’s hints, which are not always intuitive, the risk of error increases significantly. According to traffic police statistics for 2023, 18% of accidents on roundabouts occur precisely because of improper maneuvering when exiting. In this case, not only the drivers are to blame, but also the algorithms of navigation applications, which sometimes give contradictory commands.

In this article we will look at how interpret voice prompts more accurately in Yandex.Navigator, Google Maps and Sygic, we will learn to distinguish the “first exit” from the “second” in practice, and find out why sometimes the navigator leads along an “illogical” route. We will pay special attention to typical mistakes that even experienced drivers make, and we will provide a checklist to check before leaving for the roundabout. And at the end - answers to the most frequently asked questions, including controversial situations with non-standard solutions.

Why navigators make mistakes on the roundabout: 3 key reasons

The problem is not always with the driver. Algorithms of mapping services build routes based on digital road models, which do not always match the real markup. Here are the main pitfalls:

• 🔄 Discrepancy between scheme and reality. On the map the ring may be designated as 4 exits, but in fact there are 5 (for example, due to a recently built exit). The navigator “does not know” about the changes until the data is updated.
• 🗣️ Voice prompt inaccuracies. The phrase “turn left at the second exit” can be interpreted in two ways: does the countdown start from the current position or from the first visible exit?
• 🚦 Dynamic Changes. Temporary signs or cones on the section of the ring that is being repaired may block the exit, but the navigator will not “warn” about this.

For example, in Google Maps exits are often numbered clockwise, and in Yandex.Navigator - against (if the traffic around the ring is on the right). This difference in logic confuses drivers, especially at unfamiliar junctions. And in Sygic the term "exit" is sometimes used instead of "exit", which adds to the confusion.

How to count exits: a universal algorithm for any navigator

To avoid confusion, follow this rule: Exit countdown always starts from the first visible exit after entering the roundabout, regardless of the direction of movement. Here are the step-by-step instructions:

1. Entry to the ring. Once you are in a roundabout, reset the exit counter. The first exit you see on the right (when driving on the right) will be "Congress No. 1".
2. Next Congress. Miss the first exit - the next one will be “No. 2”, and so on. If your GPS says “exit three,” it means you need to drive past two exits and take the third.
3. Landmark. Carefully follow the road signs (for example, “Exit to Lenin Street”) - they often duplicate the exit numbers.

Important: if you are already on the roundabout and the navigator says “first exit”, this means exit closest to you, and not the one that was at the entrance. Many people confuse this moment and move out too early.

Reset the exit counter when entering the roundabout|

Check road signs (exit numbers are often posted)|

Make sure that the navigator has not changed the route due to traffic jam|

Look at the markings - sometimes the exits are duplicated (for example, “3A” and “3B”)

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Analysis with examples: Yandex vs Google vs Sygic

Let's compare how different navigators issue commands on the same ring. Let's take a classic interchange with 4 exits:

Navigator	Voice command	What does this mean in practice?	Typical driver mistake
Yandex.Navigator	“Turn right at the second exit.”	Pass the 1st exit, turn at the 2nd	Confused with Google Maps and leave at 1st
Google Maps	«Take the 2nd exit»	Similar to Yandex, but in English	They don’t have time to translate the phrase and miss the congress
Sygic	“Departure after 300 meters, third in a row”	Pass 1st and 2nd, exit at 3rd	Exits are counted from the moment of command, and not from entry

It is especially difficult for those who use Google Maps in English: phrase "Take the 3rd exit at the roundabout" may be perceived as the “third exit from the moment the movement begins,” although in fact the countdown starts from the first visible exit. To avoid errors, enable in settings Russian-language voice prompts or use the on-screen visual cue.

What to do if the navigator is stuck on the ring?

If the navigator does not give commands or repeats the same phrase (for example, “drive in a circular motion”), this may mean:

1. Lost GPS signal — check the connection (especially in tunnels or among high-rise buildings).

2. Error in maps — compare real exits with what is shown on the screen.

3. Re-route - the navigator can “think” due to a traffic jam and temporarily “be silent”.

In this case, follow the road signs and markings, and after leaving the exit, restart the application.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

Even experienced drivers make the same mistakes. Here are the top 5 mistakes and how to prevent them:

• 🔁 Exit to the “zero” exit. Some people count exits from the moment the navigator starts talking, rather than from the first one visible. This leads to the driver turning onto the exit ahead of time..
• 🚗 Ignore stripes. On multi-lane roundabouts, exits can be “linked” to specific lanes (for example, a left exit is only from the inner lane). The navigator does not always warn about this.
• 📵 Trust only your voice. Voice guidance may be behind or ahead of the actual position. Always check your screen!
• 🔄 Confusion with "rings within a ring". At complex junctions (for example, in Moscow at the intersection of the Moscow Ring Road and Leningradka) there may be several rings in a row. The navigator sometimes does not have time to switch.
• 🚧 Ignoring temporary signs. If the exit is closed for repairs, the navigator can guide you along a “detour” route without warning in advance.

⚠️ Attention: On rings with tram tracks (for example, in St. Petersburg) exits may be shifted. If the navigator says “second exit” and you see tram rails in front of the first, count the exits after the paths!

Life hacks for difficult junctions

Some rings have become legendary because of their intricacy. Here are a few tips to help you navigate:

• 🗺️ Use 3D view. B Google Maps and Yandex.Navigator you can turn on the mode 3D maps (in display settings). This helps to visually assess the exits before approaching the roundabout.
• 📍 Add a waypoint. If your navigator constantly gets confused at a difficult junction, put a stop in front of the ring (for example, a gas station or store). This will force the algorithm to recalculate the route taking into account current data.
• 🔄 Remember the "support ramp". On large roundabouts (for example, on Sadovoy in Moscow), focus on the most visible object - for example, “exit after McDonald’s”.

For Yandex.Navigator there is a useful function "Taxi Driver Mode" (enabled in settings). In it, exits are announced in advance, and the screen shows a diagram of the ring with exit numbering. This is especially convenient for unfamiliar cities.

What to do if the navigator is misleading?

Even with the correct number of exits, you may end up in the wrong place. Here's a plan of action if you take the wrong exit:

1. Don't panic or brake suddenly. Smoothly change into the far right lane (if the exit is on the right) or left (if the exit is on the left).
2. Use the countdown. If you needed to take the 3rd exit, but you got off at the 2nd, drive around the ring again and count the exits taking into account what you missed.
3. Turn on "pedestrian mode". If the ring is small, sometimes it is faster to get to the desired exit along the adjacent streets. To do this, temporarily change the route type in your navigator.

If the error comes to a jam, feel free to use reversal (where permitted) or driving around the yards. Modern navigators can change your route in real time - just follow the new tips.

⚠️ Attention: On some roundabouts (for example, in Yekaterinburg at the intersection of 8 Marta and Malysheva streets) the exits are located so close that the navigator does not have time to give a command. In such cases reduce speed to 30–40 km/h in advanceto have time to get your bearings.

FAQ: Answers to frequently asked questions

Why does the navigator say “first exit”, but in fact it’s the second?

This is due to differences in the counting logic. Some navigators (for example, Sygic) can count the exits from the moment voice command, and not from the moment of entering the ring. Always check on the screen where exactly the “first exit” is located - it is usually highlighted on the diagram.

What if there are no markings or signs with exit numbers on the roundabout?

In such a situation, focus on:

• 📍 Infrastructure objects (traffic lights, buildings, signs).
• 🚦 Position of other cars - if the majority take the exit, it is most likely a “popular” exit.
• 🗺️ Satellite map - turn on the mode "View from above" and compare the real picture with the diagram.

Can you trust your navigator at new junctions?

No, not always. Data in maps is updated with a delay (in Yandex - once every 1–2 months, in Google - once every 3–6 months). If you see that there are more exits than the navigator shows, focus on road signs or use online maps with reviews (for example, Waze, where users quickly mark changes).

What to do if the navigator leads around the ring several times in a row?

This is a sign that the algorithm is unable to determine the optimal exit due to traffic jams or closed exits. In this case:

1. Check if there is temporary signs (for example, "Detour").
2. Compare the real situation with the map - perhaps there is an exit, but it is closed.
3. Manually select a different route avoiding this loop.

How to learn to quickly navigate unfamiliar rings?

Practice on virtual simulators (for example, in Google Earth or driving simulators). It will also help:

• 📌Memorization standard schemes (for example, “a roundabout with 4 exits at 90 degrees”).
• 🎧 Playback voice commands in advance (you can enable “learning mode” in the navigator settings).
• 🚗 Workouts on low-intensity rings in your city.