World’s worst junctions

World’s worst junctions revealed

Grid Reference: 33 54’46.30”N, 118 10’48.33”W

Editor in chief David Johns says: “Junctions in London, Rome and Paris are a breeze after this monster in Los Angeles. Pick the wrong lane and you have no idea where you’ll end up. Each exit has a number of lanes and signs to choose from. I got so lost that I ended up ignoring all the best travel advice and stopped to ask a stranger the way – a dangerous thing to do in LA!”

Image courtesy of Google Earth

Grid Reference: 31 7’15.17”N, 121 23’5.50”E
Picture: 2007 Digital Globe

Motoring editor Dan Strong says: “It’s tough for foreigners to drive in China, so you’ll have to get a taxi. But it’s no less stressful. Most cabbies drive flat-out in their battered cars, regardless of conditions. Mine even put two wheels up on the concrete barrier of this junction to get round the scene of an accident!”

Image courtesy of Google Earth

Grid Reference: 51 33’46.36”N, 1 46’17.10”W
Picture: 2007 Infoterra Ltd and Bluesky

Staff writer James Disdale says: “It’s called the Magic Roundabout – but this is no illusion, with six junctions rolled into one. You drive clockwise around the smaller orbiting islands, but go the wrong way round the larger one. Bonkers!”

Image courtesy of Google Earth

Grid Reference: 55 44’28.54”N, 37 39’14.64E
Picture: 2007 Europa Technologies, 2007 Digital Globe

Art editor Darren Wilson says: “It’s a chaotic experience for those on a first time visit to this traffic system. All the junctions are at least six lanes wide, and every piece of tarmac is filled with a car. Traffic lights appear to be
advisory only and indicators non-existent. Scarily, you’re still as likely to see a tank as you are a Toyota.”

Image courtesy of Google Earth

Grid Reference: 48 52’25.46”N, 2 17’42.49”E
Picture: The Geoinfomation Company/InterAtlas

Road tester Owen Mildenhall says: “It looks all quiet when the satellite snapped this picture early in the morning, but believe me, this is the world’s most nerve-wracking roundabout! There’s no right of way or traffic lights, so cars are criss-crossing all over the place. Yet this free-for-all seems to keep the traffic flowing – although accidents happen on an hourly basis!”

Image courtesy of Google Earth

Grid Reference: 34 36’13.16”S, 58 22’53.54”W
Picture: 2007 Digital Globe

Managing editor Graham Hope says: “Argentina gave the world grand prix legend Juan Manuel Fangio – and my experience of the capital city suggested that most of the drivers want to follow in his wheel tracks! This is best seen here on the world’s widest avenue. With up to 14 lanes and motorists drifting across them at will, it takes nerves of steel to get behind the wheel.”

Image courtesy of Google Earth

Grid Reference: 33 53’31.27”N, 84 15’33.29W

Consumer reporter Simon McBride says: “This massive interchange has also been christened by the locals as Spaghetti Junction, and it was constructed two years after the one in Birmingham. Each exit splits into another two, meaning drivers who are not familiar with the layout will have to think very quickly. If you miss the exit you’re looking for, you can end up heading in completely the wrong direction for ages.”

Image courtesy of Google Earth

Grid Reference: 35 50’9.45”N, 139 51’33.48”E
Picture: 2007 Digital Earth Technology

Motoring editor Dan Strong says: “If the junction wasn’t confusing enough, you also have to contend with Japanese signs. The construction of the roads also throws up problems. To cope with frequent earthquakes, each elevated section is fitted with wide rubber expansion joints. If you hit one of these at speed, the car will hop and wobble, which can distract you when trying to fathom the correct route.”

Image courtesy of Google Earth

Picture: 2007 Infoterra Ltd and Bluesky

News and features editor Mat Watson says: “I lived in North Birmingham until I was 25. In all that time, I was never 100 per cent sure of the exits at Gravelly Hill. The way the different roads twist and turn is disorientating, and leaves you not trusting the signs. It’s easy to see why this vast interchange quickly became known as Spaghetti Junction!”

Image courtesy of Google Earth

Grid Reference: 35 18’30.78”S, 149 07’25.62”E
Picture: 2007 Digital Globe

Road tester David Ross says: “It’s a massive roundabout that encircles the Parliament building – but it’s not very straightforward to drive round. Trying to get to the centre is frustrating; take the wrong road and you’re spat out the other side. Confusing signs make it even more difficult.”

Image courtesy of Google Earth