Talk of The Villages Florida - View Single Post - Always drive your car defensively.....
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Old 07-24-2024, 07:45 AM
ThirdOfFive ThirdOfFive is offline
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Did some clicking as to how (or whether) laws regarding driving in roundabouts differ from state to state. Laws in general pretty much agree, but there ARE differences. In Maryland, for example, you are apparently required to use your signals to let other drivers know your intentions when in a roundabout. Indiana, however, says you DON'T have to signal. Arizona has some new laws governing larger vehicles in roundabouts that other states don't. Nevada apparently has laws governing traffic activity in new ("modern") roundabouts that apparently aren't in effect in the "older" ones. Some states require that you use your signal to let other cars know you are NOT turning off (signaling left if you are going to bypass an exit and continue on in the circle). Others don't. Florida has some pretty definite, and differing, laws regarding driving in "roundabouts" vs. "traffic circles". Apparently a lot of other states don't. And so on. Pretty confusing.

IMO drivers in general aren't aware of these differences, but the lawyers surely are. I googled up several who profess expertise in laws governing traffic circles, some pointing out that there ARE differences state-to-state (though not specifying what they are, as a rule) and that they (or their law firm) are just the folks to call if you end up bending your vehicle in a roundabout.

Lots of discussion and disagreement here about "right" and "wrong" ways to navigate roundabouts. Given the differences state-to-state in roundabout rules, it might just be that what was right and just back home just doesn't fly here in Florida. But folks who have been doing it a certain way for, say, 30 years back in Boston might find it hard to change those habits in just a few months in Florida. Or any other state for that matter.

In other words, don't assume you are right in Florida because it was right in your state of origin. It just might not be.