Quote:
Originally Posted by ColdNoMore
Therein lies a huge problem.
SOME roundabouts show a solid white line so that the right lane cannot continue past the first turnoff, but that only works where there aren't 3-4 separate accesses to the roundabouts.
Therefore, there is only a dotted white line in a lot of places, which gives drivers who don't understand the laws of roundabouts the false sense that they can cross that dotted line from the right lane...and continue around the roundabout.
Especially if they entered from a side entrance, get immediately in the right lane of the roundabout and want to continue around it to an exit beyond the first one they come across.
IMHO, there should be a solid white line (if not a solid yellow line) and eliminate the dotted white line ...so that someone in the right lane knows that they cannot pass up the first exit to continue around the roundabout.
Yes, sometimes that might force someone to go a few minutes out of their way if they are in the right lane and have to exit at the first point, when they really wanted to continue around...but I believe it would ultimately be safer.  |
The easiest way to navigate the roundabouts is to pay attention to the signs posted before them and consider it the same as a four way intersection. Use the left lane for straight through or left turn and the right lane for straight through or right turn, just as you would at a regular intersection. (Hopefully.) The lane markings within the roundabout are a source of confusion, but are required. Someone in the left/inside lane needs to cross to exit properly, so there is a dotted line. It is not there to allow changing lanes in the roundabout. It is not there to allow someone in the right lane entering to move to the inside/left lane within the roundabout.
Basically, you should determine which lane to use entering the roundabout in order to exit at your desired point. Unfortunately, there are many drivers who are certain they "know" how to navigate these using techniques from some other state or city and don't bother to learn how to drive these. A prime example is the Morse/Stillwater roundabout. 75% of the eastbound Stillwater traffic stays in the outside lane to navigate to northbound Morse.