The correct way to drive in the round abouts

[jim16g]

We hear and read a lot about people complaining about others driving in the round abouts. I found this website that not only explains the proper way to enter and exit a round about, it also has excellent moving graphics illustrating each possible turn. If you want to know when and how to use the inside lane, go to this website. Hope it helps. :)

http://www.ci.santa-maria.ca.us/roundabout/cars.htm

[blueeagle65]

All you have to do now is get the drivers on the inside lane to yield to those on the outer lane instead of cutting across it to exit (usually without regard to it being occupied or not). Just remember that making a right hand turn from the left lane to exit and cutting across traffic is the same as doing this maneuver on a straight stretch and causing an accident would be YOUR fault.

[Avista]

BlueEagle, AMEN. Just don't exit from the inside lane and we'll all get along fine.

[DENNIS G]

BlueEagle, AMEN. Just don't exit from the inside lane and we'll all get along fine.


:agree: :agree: :agree: :agree:

[rockaway]

To all of you who are still confused about the roundabouts.

The villages has just painted BIG ARROWS on the road surfaces of the roundabouts
on Stillwater trail by the villages of Virginia Trace and Caroline

Right lane RIGHT TURN OR STRAIGHT
Left lane STRAIGHT OR LEFT TURN

Please note going all the way around in the RIGHT LANE IS WRONG

[rockaway]

I just looked at the web site from Santa Maria Ca. It is very nice but does
not pertain to the Villages roundabouts. The roundabouts shown on the web
page have two lanes approaching but only one lane in the roundabouts. We have
two lanes approaching AND two lanes in the roundabouts. This is a whole different
concept.

[golfnut]

Exiting from the inside lane is acceptable, however, you must yield to cars in the right lane that may not be exiting.

[SteveZ]

Bottom line - drive defensively. Cemeteries are filled with folk who had the right-of-way.

[retiredone]

Roundabouts SHOULD provide less accidents than a four way stop. Our roundabouts will remain somewhat of a hazzard BECAUSE those in the left lane are simply in a hurry from point A to point B. Most of them then exit from the inside which shouldn't occur.

[Avista]

Rockaway, The Sumter county deputy sheriff in his talk to newcomers has specifically said, "Stay in the Right lane."

Remember we have many older people leaving here. Lane changing is only asking for trouble.

[lm01]

I close my eyes myself..........zoom zoom zoom

[rockaway]

Avista
Staying in the right lane all the way around a roundabout is wrong and
dangerous . the deputy is misinformed

As i said eariler the villages have painted the proper driving instructions on
the pavement on Stillwater trail.

Are you saying that just because someone is older they should not be
expected to follow the rules of the road. If they can't do that they should stop
driving.

[dadspet]

Circles / roundabouts have 2 lanes for a reason > to help the flow of traffic. The outside lanes are for immediate exit and in most cases shouldn't be used to go around more then one exit (an exception would be knowing there is no one in the left lane who will want to exit ). The inside or left lane is to be used when you are going around more than one exit. If you use the outside / right lane to go around more than one exit when there are cars in the inside lane that will need to exit > this is wrong and shouldn't be done. Even worst not allowing the inside lane to make that turn will stop traffic on the outside lane and create a dangerous situation.

These points are shown at the following link

http://www.abnaengineering.com/abna/sld006.htm

The slide does show a case were two lane of traffic enter into a circle and the outside lane is going 2 exits but that car on the outside lane must exit into the right lane to allow the car on the inside to exit into the left exit lane.

As always drive defensively, with caution, and use your blinker especially in roundabouts.

[golfnut]

good explanation dadspet

[Bernie]

Dadspet

You are absolutely correct. You nailed it. The sheriff is wrong!!!

Thanks for the diagram.

This is the message that should be spread.

In the mean time everyone be cautious.

[Bubbalarry]

On Thursday while going home on Morse I entered the roundabout in the left lane because of the heavy trucks lined up to either go through or turn right at the first exit. When I got to the circle all was clear and on my right was another car that was about a 1/2 car length in front of me.

As anticipated this car did not turn at the first exit on the right, nor did he at the next one either. He just cut in front of me and stopped. YES STOPPED and got out his car screaming at me.

So I took his picture of him and his car. He was raising his hand screaming at me. The pic was sent along with his cars plate to the local sheriffs office.

This guy wanted parts of me and when he realized I had a camera on him quickly moved along.

On a serious note this guy was nuts. Who knows what was on his mind. I mean I am retired and have all the time in the world to come back here to my house during the summer, fight the heat and get all the money I paid for it from his pockets. Or if his home is more desirable than mine, end up owning his too as part of the settlement.

People like this need to be taught a lesson and spend time in jail. Thank goodness no other cars or any of those big trucks hit anybody, as he stopped all traffic. This lasted almost one minute.

:chillout: :chillout: :chillout:

[samhass]

You should post his picture here so we can avoid this guy if possible.

[The Great Fumar]

Keep in mind that the round-a-bouts in the villages are NON STANDARD (too small) and thats why the local police tell you to stay in the right lane....
there are two round-a-bouts on stillwater trail and Virginia trace have bleeder routs around the outside of the circle which even makes them more non standard but very convenient.....The street signs painted on the pavement are to direct you to where stillwater is...Not how to get there, thats because we have no directional street signs in the Villages....
For those who are a little slow, pay attention to the people whose responsibility it is to police these round-a-bouts and who issue tickets to people who cut across traffic to exit from the inside lane.....
Don't listen to people who are passing themselves as experts and don't know the local situation here ......And whatever you do listen to the local police........

[ABC]

I Love TV, the only place in the world where we can make up our own driving laws!!!!!

Sorry but IF (to date the only place i have heard this is heresay on TOTV) the police say to stay right, surely this would be in writing in the local press or similar to inform everyone of the local changes to the driving laws, especially those who know how to drive correctly.
If anyone has ever seen this in official print please let us all know where! as i am sure any of us would hate to have to go to court with the defense "I read on an internet forum that somebody said somebody heard that the Police said to keep to the right on TV roundabouts"

It also makes me wonder that if this is true and driving rules are different in TV then should we not have signs posted on entry to advise visitors e.g. "You are now entering The Villages normal driving rules do not apply"

Also i find the idea that the local roundabouts are too small or the residents too old to be used properly laughable at best.

Finally The Villages Phone Book tells you how to use the roundabouts on page 49, i quote "WHEN EXITING THE CIRCULATORY ROADWAY FROM THE OUTSIDE TRACK, YIELD TO LEADING OR ADJACENT VEHICLES THAT ARE EXITING INTO THE SAME LANE" and of course there is absolutely no mention of staying in the outside lane!

[The Great Fumar]

OK :
I'll give you another shot, The only thing laughable about the round-a-bouts is how you explain to a deputy as he is writing you a ticket that you learned how to drive a round-a-bout in a phone book....
you quoted from the book of laws that ,"WHEN EXITING THE CIRCULATORY ROADWAY FROM THE OUTSIDE TRACK, YIELD TO LEADING OR ADJACENT VEHICLES THAT ARE EXITING INTO THE SAME LANE." Let me explain what that means, It means if some clown has gotten himself trapped in the inside lane and can't get out then be a nice guy back off and let him out..
You see the OUTSIDE TRACK AND OUTSIDE LANE ,mean the same thing...

Also you failed to mention that the book of laws also stated that "PLEASE CONSULT YOUR LOCAL LAW INFORCEMENT AUTHORITY" please be advised , we have..
I've done all I can to save your life, from now on your on your own........

[jjdees]

Fumar, I'm in agreement with you. And..I like your yacht

[zcaveman]

Bottom line - drive defensively. Cemeteries are filled with folk who had the right-of-way.




:agree: :agree: :agree: :agree: :agree:

Amen to that!!

[Bubbalarry]

You should post his picture here so we can avoid this guy if possible.


Would if I could since that pic was sent to local sheriff's office and out of my cell.

[ABC]

Fumar,

In response i did not learn to drive a roundabout "from the phone book" and find it odd to suggest that they would print YIELD to mean "if some clown has gotten himself trapped in the inside lane and can't get out then be a nice guy back off and let him out." I always thought YIELD was an instruction not a suggestion! The only reason i quote from the phone book is the abscence of any other local printed guidelines.

I did check a local PD (Lady Lake) website for information regarding roundabout use, they link to the Florida Department of Transport website which has a set of rules for Safe Mobility at roundabouts, see their URL below:

http://www.dot.state.fl.us/trafficoperations/pdf/Florida_Safe_Mobility_Roundabouts_Card.pdf

I really don't think they could make this any clearer if they tried, read "How they Work"

I agree whole heartedly with all those who say to drive defensively when using TV roundabouts as there are folks who do not know how to use them correctly and i will always yield to the outside lane to avoid an accident even though i know i am driving correctly, i just wish some of the "drive all the way around in the right" folks would show the same courtesy.

I guess we will never all agree on the correct way to drive these roundabouts, lets just hope we can all agree to show each other enough courtesy to avoid any unneccessary accidents.

[rockaway]

To "The Great Fumer"

I don't know if you are holding to your opinion on this subject just keep the
arguement going or you still really believe it.

If you can sway enough people to your way of thinking we all will be much less
safe in the roundabouts than we are now.

You don't seem to believe TV after they paint the correct methods on the road
and keep quoting some Deputy .

ABC has contacted Lady Lake Police on the matter and they did not have
and opinion and told him to check the Florida DOT whose webpage on the correct
method of driving in roundabouts is the same as he and I have been trying to get
through to you and others.

[Semper FI]

This time of the year VERY CAREFULY :-*

[Muncle]

I guess we will never all agree on the correct way to drive these roundabouts, lets just hope we can all agree to show each other enough courtesy to avoid any unnecessary accidents.


It is my understanding that the state of Florida has not issued specific direction regarding driving in roundabouts, something with substantially more meat than the single paragraph on the flier you cited. Until that time, remember that TV overlaps 3 counties and one municipality. Each has its own interpretation of the rules. Until Florida lays it out in detail and the local gov'ts concur, there will be confusion. Once that is done, TV can issue definitive guidelines to all residents, renters, and buyers, maybe put up some intelligible signs, do a video for all clubs and for broadcast on VNN, and start enforcing the law (okay, the cops, not TV, would enforce). And all those "I'll stay in the right lane and to hell with everyone else" drivers can start losing money and amassing points.

[Taltarzac]

Did not see very much in the FL Driver's Handbook about roundabouts. http://www.floridatrafficacademy.com/driving/handbook_chap3.shtml

There's also a FL Department of Transportation (FL DOT) "Roundabout Guide" but that covers more why communities might want to get them rather than how to drive in them. Check the Document Library in the FL DOT if you want to look at this "Roundabout Guide". http://www.dot.state.fl.us/TrafficOperations/Doc_Library/Doc_Library.htm

[The Great Fumar]

ABC & ROCKAWAY;
You two are beautiful, First of all your supposition is incorrect and why would you contact the Lady Lake police dept. about a policy that does not pertain to the city limits of lady lake....
The round-a-bouts are policed by the Sheriffs of Marion and Sumter county's.
They are the people who at the indoctrination to the Villages advise you how to drive locally. and they specifically state that "when in doubt , stay to the right".when traversing the round-a-bouts.....
Say you don't suppose I might get some kind of award for this from the county for keeping you on the computer and off the streets ....Oh well , Just a thought.....
fumar

[captain1202]

Those of us that have been driving roundabouts or "rotaries" since the black and white days have been vindicated once again with the FL DOT Brochure.

DON'T FIGHT IT FOLKS! The right way is shown on the flyer.

Let's ALL get with the program including the Public Safety types who are giving misinformed answers. It will make everyone's driving experience safer.

[Barefoot]

I lived in TV for 3 months without driving through roundabouts. Just reading the conflicting posts on this topic gave me the jitters. This week I was forced to venture into three roundabouts for the first time. I cleverly drove in the middle of both lanes cutting off all traffic while I was deciding my next move. Yes, the new way to drive roundabouts is here!! :clap2:

And why are they making these jail cells so small?

[Avista]

Another Roundabout discussion:

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/smf/index.php/topic,1815.0.html

[rekops]

Dadspet has it right. The main thing to remember, is if you're going to be turning left from the roundabout, make sure you do it from the left lane, not the right lane, otherwise you'll be cutting off people that are goint straight in the left lane. Same as driving on a regular roadway - left turns from the left lane.

[ABC]

I Think i am beginning to get it

Europe is Wrong!
Australia is Wrong
The rest of the US is Wrong!
The rest of the World is Wrong!
The Lady Lake PD is Wrong!
The Florida Dept of Transport is wrong!
The Traffic Engineers who designed them are Wrong!
The Villages Telephone book is Wrong!
The Engineers who painted the directional lines on the roads are Wrong!
Every article on Roundabouts ever written are Wrong!
Every publication on Roundabouts found on the Internet - All Wrong!

The Great Fumar is right!

Makes sense doesn't it!!!!!!!!!!!

[Avista]

It does to me! <smile>

[nONIE]

I give up!!!

Please excuse anything I do in the roundabouts that might appear disasterous! >:(

[Village Kid 2]

Does it really matter who is right and who is wrong? I like Barefoot's solutions. Can't we all just get along? (Where have I heard that before?)

Wearily, VK

[ABC]

I do agree VK about getting along if we all just show each other enough common courtesy then any accidents or altercations due to differing points of view will be avoided.

Can't agree with driving down the middle though!

[dadspet]

Nonie

""Please excuse anything I do in the roundabouts that might appear disasterous!""

Nonie> You look to young to drive especially in roundabouts! And BTW you can't take your golf cart into a roundabout like I saw some "young" ladies the other day.

But then I noticed that more people seem to be getting younger every year?

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Seems like The Villages needs to hold a "Good Roundabout Class" like they hold a Good Golfer Class" to get everyone on the same page. But it could be too controversial of a topic for a class
and I don't think they have a large enough center for hold them. From reading this forum I think they could even have beginner, Int and advanced roundabout driving classes.

[Avista]

Best idea is , "Let's all get along, and watch out for one another." We will never agree, so this is the best way.

[jjdees]

Add this subject to the old adage "Don't discuss religion, politics (and now roundabouts) with friends".

[The Great Fumar]

ABC
Now you got it, finally , but it was a struggle.....Oh and the part about checking with the lady lake police for instruction on round-a-bouts . Don't sweat it , Heck, I've even known some people that go to Publix to buy shoes..

relieved fumar

[ABC]

Someone went to Publix to buy shoes!

Sounds a bit like the person who went to a retirement community orienteering session to learn how to Drive!

[The Great Fumar]

Yup, sure do when they're calling the shots.....sounds like you should too.. It will be safer for all of us if you call and have them send a driver to pick you up.... ;D

[Village Kid 2]

TO: FUMAR and ABC

RE: Mediation

Date: February 14th (Valentines Day)

Time: High Noon

Location: Morse Circle

[Boomer]

It's a beautiful day in The Villages.

[Barefoot]

TO: FUMAR and ABC

RE: Mediation

Date: February 14th (Valentines Day)

Time: High Noon

Location: Morse Circle


;D :a20:

[The Great Fumar]

HA HA OK You guys win......Enough said...besides I doub't if we could find Morse Circle...........
END OF STORY
finished fumar ;D ;D ;D ;D

[ABC]

Totally Agree, enjoyed the debate!

Also finished ABC

[MMC24]

Pray!!!

[Barefoot]

I avoided roundabouts for four months, was skeered of them, and have just started using them. Wheeeeeeeee. They are such fun. There is only one good way to navigate roundabouts.

I go round and round and round and round, blowing my horn, weaving in and out of lanes. Watch those cars with foreign plates head for cover!! Gets my day off to a great start, who needs coffee?

[Taltarzac]

...carefully. :joke: