What is a Roundabout Slingshot – and is it Legal in the UK?

George Poland

5th Nov 2025

The ‘roundabout slingshot’ has become a viral UK driving trend – but is it legal? Find out what it means, why drivers are doing it, and what the Highway Code says.

If you’ve been stuck in traffic at a busy roundabout lately, you may have noticed some drivers jumping ahead of the queue by using the right-hand lane to zip around the roundabout before exiting left.

This manoeuvre is called a roundabout slingshot – a so-called "driving hack" that’s become a viral talking point among UK motorists on TikTok and YouTube, with videos racking up thousands of views.

But what exactly is a roundabout slingshot, why are drivers doing it, and is it actually against the rules? Let’s take a closer look.

What is a roundabout slingshot?

A roundabout slingshot is a manoeuvre where a driver enters a roundabout, often in the right-hand or “straight ahead” lane, and loops all the way around the junction before taking their intended left-hand exit.

The idea is to bypass long queues that form in the left-hand lane during peak times by taking advantage of the roundabout’s circular design to skip ahead of waiting cars.

Many drivers say it’s much quicker than waiting in line and perfectly within the rules, while others see it as unfair and potentially dangerous.

Diagram of the slingshot roundabout manoeuvre

Why are drivers doing roundabout slingshots?

With traffic congestion growing across UK towns and cities, many motorists are looking for ways to shave a few minutes off their daily commute.

Dashcam footage has helped turn the roundabout slingshot into a viral “driving trick”, with clips showing drivers proudly beating long queues.

On platforms like TikTok and Reddit, these videos have attracted thousands of views and sparked plenty of debate. One user commented: “I love the slingshot. I'm surprised more people don't use it.”

Another disagreed: “It increases congestion and would cause massive issues if everyone did it; fortunately, it’s only a few selfish drivers that do.”

Are roundabout slingshots legal?

While the Highway Code doesn’t mention “slingshots” specifically, it does set out clear rules and best practices for using roundabouts safely.

According to sections 184–190, drivers should:

Choose the correct lane for their exit before entering the roundabout
Avoid changing lanes or cutting across traffic suddenly
Signal clearly and in good time
Be considerate towards other road users

Because a slingshot manoeuvre involves deliberately using the wrong lane to gain an advantage over other drivers, it could be interpreted as careless or inconsiderate driving – an offence that carries fines and up to 9 penalty points.

So, while the slingshot might not break any explicit rule, it goes against the spirit of the Highway Code and could still attract attention from the police if it disrupts traffic flow or forces others to brake suddenly.