[Bonanza]

Originally Posted by kittygilchrist

The following was confirmed yesterday by a Sumter Deputy: There is a problem with design of roundabout exits into to Village gates that makes one particular maneuver impossible to safely and legally perform.

To follow using a diagram, click the brochure below and follow using the right side diagram. Let's say you are a resident entering the traffic circle in the car that is lowest on the diagram, intending to turn left (taking the 3rd exit)...

So you are in the proper lane, the inside lane. As you approach the 3rd exit, you see that the inside lane carries you to the visitor gate. But you are a resident. How can you change lanes against traffic that may be merging behind you?

My answer is you can't without violating lane change rules and crossing the path of oncoming drivers. In those situations, I use the visitor gate. I've had several near crashes. The deputy said that when there is a crash, "I try to figure out who's at fault." throws his hands in the air; gives a wry chuckle...what else can he do..

http://www.districtgov.org/community...t-02-08-12.pdf

Kitty -- you are 100% correct!

Regardless of how many Villagers say they love them or whatever, the circles are hazardous. Why, they've even been glorified with the designer name of "round-abouts" (we aren't in England; this is the U. S.). Everyone will write in saying to do this or do that, but the bottom line is you never know what the other guy will do and in most cases, it's hard to guess what we should do! They are much too small to navigate safely and the painted lines instantly show you how to commit murder or suicide; take your pick. They never should have been installed in this community but I guess the developer thought this "eye candy" was a good idea.

I'll say again what I've said before: Our circles are nothing more than unsafe gas guzzlers. Morse and Buena Vista should have gone straight through with perhaps, an occasional traffic light. Villages entering these two main thorofares should have stop signs, just like in any neighborhood in the U. S. That is also what would have made it safe to enter each Village, but no -- they just keep putting in more of the damn circles!