Roundabout claims another

[Lottoguy]

My next door neighbor got hit on the roundabout just outside Glenview CC. He was headed south on Buena Vista in the left lane. The car that hit him was in the right lane and wanted to go east on El Camino. Which of course is NOT the way to do it. When the cops arrived they told the driver who was in the wrong what he had done. He was surprised by this. But, get this!! He has been living in The Villages for EIGHT YEARS!!!
So just imagine how many times they have come close to hitting somebody on the roundabouts. I'm really amazed this didn't happen years ago.
This is the number one reason why I have a dashcam in my car. Like having Dan Newlin next to me.

[golfing eagles]

Roundabout claims another
*

Actually, it's not the roundabout, it's THE DRIVERS!!!

[justjim]

I've heard that roundabouts are considered by "experts" to be safer than traffic signals. It's all about speed. Vehicles approach traffic signals at a much faster pace and thus when an accident occurs there are more injuries. Can you imagine all the roundabouts in TV turned into traffic signals?

[Nucky]

The majority of the Americas Funniest, Dangerous Drivers The Villages Division that I have witnessed have been in the vicinity of The Buena Vista, El Camino Roundabout. How about a car on El Camino on the wrong side of the road coming at us!!!! Beautiful Big White Benz, I swear to you the lady was putting on lipstick. Other less threatening events in that area have occurred several times.

[village dreamer]

I think ,that the roundabouts should be one lane, maybe that would help ???

[manaboutown]

I doubt the European Villagers are having any issues with the roundabouts - except for the American drivers using them who are learning to drive roundabouts as senior citizens.

[Polar Bear]

I think ,that the roundabouts should be one lane, maybe that would help ???
It would help cause unbearable delays, that's all. Unless you left the approach streets as most are...two lanes...then it would cause unbearable conflicts too.

[JoMar]

I think ,that the roundabouts should be one lane, maybe that would help ???

And the backups would be how many miles long?

[Miles42]

every one has their own opinion on driving in a round about, and they are always right. just ask them.

[golfing eagles]

every one has their own opinion on driving in a round about, and they are always right. just ask them.

It's a traffic circle, you are expected to obey the traffic laws---No room for "opinion" whatsoever.

[Rapscallion St Croix]

While using left lane to got straight through is perfectly legal, I view it as an unnecessary gamble. I always expect every other person in a roundabout is going to pull a dumbass move.

[Ooper]

That round-about at the Savannah Center is probably the most consistantly wrongly used round-about in The Villages. I am surprised that there are not more accidents there. That round-about is one of the oldest round-abouts built here in TV and people have been using it since the mid 90's. You can lead a horse to water but you cannot make him drink. Just always use caution especially at that round-about.

[Polar Bear]

It's a traffic circle, you are expected to obey the traffic laws---No room for "opinion" whatsoever.
Always room for opinion...as long as you obey the law. :)

[johnboy]

If you are going south on Buena Vista, you should be in the right lane and exit in the right lane onto Buena Vista. Why would anyone be in the left lane and turn in front of someone in the right lane heading toward El Camino.

[Polar Bear]

If you are going south on Buena Vista, you should be in the right lane and exit in the right lane onto Buena Vista. Why would anyone be in the left lane and turn in front of someone in the right lane heading toward El Camino.

If they're going south on BV and heading for El Camino, they should not be in the right lane.

[Ooper]

If you are going south on Buena Vista, you should be in the right lane and exit in the right lane onto Buena Vista. Why would anyone be in the left lane and turn in front of someone in the right lane heading toward El Camino.

Plus... it is perfectly legal to be in either lane to continue south on BV.

[Harry Gilbert]

The problem is they are to small for two lane travel. there appears to be approx 80ft from entrance to exit at each corner. Traveling at 25mph means you are going about 37 ft per second That gives you 2.1 seconds to merge safely in or out of the circle. Most 2 lane circles I've encountered are 10 times the size and they work. But for that small a circle one lane around would be safer.

[ggnlars]

Problem is usually turning left from the right lane. Trying to change lanes in the circle is another problem. Additional signage might help, particularly for people who are "new" to them.

We had them all over in the county north of Indianapolis. At least these here are virtually the same. In Indy, they varied in diameter and number of lanes, never more than two. They also would stack them back to back in limited access interchanges. In every case, when traffic volume is low, there were no problems. As traffic increased, even the largest would back up for long distances. In that case, they are better than a stop sign, but not as good as a light.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

While using left lane to got straight through is perfectly legal, I view it as an unnecessary gamble. I always expect every other person in a roundabout is going to pull a dumbass move.

How is that any different from using the right lane to go straight through. If you have someone in the left lane that decides to take the first exit you're in the same predicament.

When driving in a roundabout you simply have to be aware of everyone and everything surrounding you. I always drive expecting the other guy to do something stupid.

As far as the roundabouts claiming another one, I'd love to see the statistics on how many accidents there are in our roundabouts each year. I also like to see how many accidents there are in The Villages, in general, each year and what percentage of them occur in roundabouts.

Sometimes the perception is different from the reality. I had someone tell me that they are leaving The Villages and moving to Ocala because of the golf cart traffic. He quoted a statistic that said there have been 20 golf cart related deaths in the past nine years. I say that given the fact that we have 130,000 residents, 70,000 golf carts, and traffic from outside of TV coming through every day, that we should be congratulated for our fine safety record. Two deaths per year with all of that traffic, especially considering that we have so many elderly people seems pretty low to me.

Now, of course, every traffic-related death is a tragedy, but to think that with all of these carts on the road along all of the other traffic, that we're going to have zero accidents and zero deaths, is more than a bit unrealistic.

Traffic experts all over the world say that roundabouts are safer and more efficient than four-way intersections. I don't know that the number of traffic accidents would be any different with four-way stops where people can blow stop signs.

[Polar Bear]

...for that small a circle one lane around would be safer.
Because no one would be moving.

[Bogie Shooter]

I think ,that the roundabouts should be one lane, maybe that would help ???

Keep dreaming...............................

[ScottRAB]

Roundabout claims another
*

Actually, it's not the roundabout, it's THE DRIVERS!!!

I also think it wasn't the car that wanted to go east, but also the driver.

As for how to drive a multi-lane roundabout, be careful. Just like any other multi-lane intersection, which lane can go which way depends on the lane use signing and pavement markings.

[golf2140]

They are adding traffic circles in New Jersey currently.

[Rapscallion St Croix]

They are adding traffic circles in New Jersey currently.

And Leesburg, FL

[rubicon]

Much ado about nothing. round abouts are easy. Its some driver are too tentative, cautious, etc some creating problems by coming to a complete stop and waiting until they are sure no other cars are navigating the round about.

[VillagerNut]

If you are going south on Buena Vista, you should be in the right lane and exit in the right lane onto Buena Vista. Why would anyone be in the left lane and turn in front of someone in the right lane heading toward El Camino.

Your explanation is totally wrong! You need to stop at the roundabout and actually look at the signage and learn how to drive a roundabout. If you're coming off of El Camino and going to head south on Buena Vista, you have to be in the left lane to be legal! If you're coming from the country club going to El Camino you can be in either the right or the left lane to be legal. If you're coming southbound on Buena Vista wanting to go to El Camino, you have to be in the left lane to be legal. But if you are going more than half around the roundabout you have to be in the left lane to be legal in any roundabout in the villages!

[Lottoguy]

The problem with roundabouts is they are new and drivers are not familiar with their layout.

[Lottoguy]

Read it again. The driver is heading SOUTH on BV in the LEFT LANE. He has a choice between the left or right lane. The driver that him also was driving south next to him and was in the RIGHT LANE. That person had just two options in that lane. ONE, enter onto the road that goes into Glenview CC or TWO keep heading south on BV. He decided he neither. From the RIGHT LANE he wanted to continue onto El Camino.

[Lottoguy]

There is NO PROBLEM changing lanes in the circle or roundabout. Why? Because your NOT supposed to be changing lanes in the roundabout in the first place. You are supposed to already be in the correct lane as you approach.

[Lottoguy]

Yes, you explained it perfectly. Thank God I have DAN NEWLIN riding in my car with me every day. He is also called a DASHCAM.

[graciegirl]

Your explanation is totally wrong! You need to stop at the roundabout and actually look at the signage and learn how to drive a roundabout. If you're coming off of El Camino and going to head south on Buena Vista, you have to be in the left lane to be legal! If you're coming from the country club going to El Camino you can be in either the right or the left lane to be legal. If you're coming southbound on Buena Vista wanting to go to El Camino, you have to be in the left lane to be legal. But if you are going more than half around the roundabout you have to be in the left lane to be legal in any roundabout in the villages!

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

[johnfarr]

Just do not let anyone get next to you. Problem solved!

[twoplanekid]

Your explanation is totally wrong! You need to stop at the roundabout and actually look at the signage and learn how to drive a roundabout. If you're coming off of El Camino and going to head south on Buena Vista, you have to be in the left lane to be legal! If you're coming from the country club going to El Camino you can be in either the right or the left lane to be legal. If you're coming southbound on Buena Vista wanting to go to El Camino, you have to be in the left lane to be legal. But if you are going more than half around the roundabout you have to be in the left lane to be legal in any roundabout in the villages!

Yes, except for some such as Buena Vista to Hillsborough Trail where you can move from the left/inner lane to the right/outside lane while still in the roundabout and making the left hand turn.

[Mikeod]

Yes, except for some such as Buena Vista to Hillsborough Trail where you can move from the left/inner lane to the right/outside lane while still in the roundabout and making the left hand turn.
It may sound like splitting hairs, but what you are really doing is simply exiting the roundabout into the right/resident lane. The prohibition on changing lanes in the roundabout refers primarily to entering the roundabout in the right lane, for example, then transitioning to the left/inner lane while continuing to travel in the roundabout. Exiting is different. Of course you have to cross the outside lane to exit when going to the third exit properly in any roundabout.

[NotGolfer]

It may sound like splitting hairs, but what you are really doing is simply exiting the roundabout into the right/resident lane. The prohibition on changing lanes in the roundabout refers primarily to entering the roundabout in the right lane, for example, then transitioning to the left/inner lane while continuing to travel in the roundabout. Exiting is different. Of course you have to cross the outside lane to exit when going to the third exit properly in any roundabout.

TRUE!!!

The other day (and I was looking BUT someone was in the "blind spot") I almost got nailed when moving from left to exit three-quarters of the way around. THAT person laid on their horn...hopefully to warn me. I even had my signal (yeah that thing folks here don't use much) on!!! NOT sure where they came from because I thought I was being observant in my driving. I think they were one of those who fly like a bat out of H311 as once they got past me all one saw was "dust".

[golfing eagles]

TRUE!!!

The other day (and I was looking BUT someone was in the "blind spot") I almost got nailed when moving from left to exit three-quarters of the way around. THAT person laid on their horn...hopefully to warn me. I even had my signal (yeah that thing folks here don't use much) on!!! NOT sure where they came from because I thought I was being observant in my driving. I think they were one of those who fly like a bat out of H311 as once they got past me all one saw was "dust".

Since you didn't see them, I can only guess that they either went 3/4 round in the right lane or entered when you were 1/4 of the way around, and in both cases navigated the RB much quicker than you in an attempt to pass (getting them to the gate 4 seconds quicker)

[twoplanekid]

It may sound like splitting hairs, but what you are really doing is simply exiting the roundabout into the right/resident lane. The prohibition on changing lanes in the roundabout refers primarily to entering the roundabout in the right lane, for example, then transitioning to the left/inner lane while continuing to travel in the roundabout. Exiting is different. Of course you have to cross the outside lane to exit when going to the third exit properly in any roundabout.

It's ok to follow the red line while still in this roundabout thus changing lanes while still in the roundabout.

[Topspinmo]

The guy in the right lane going 3/4 around the roundabout should of got the ticket for NOT yeiding the right way. (Look at the signs posted before roundabouts)

This happen about 6 months ago at the exact same intermsection exact same incident. The driver in the right lane got ticket even though he got hit in the back side for the car behind him going straight through on BV. (I always thought the car ahead had the right of way, but I guess not in roundabout?)

Even if the driver came out of GV he should of yielded to ALL traffic in the roundabout before going around in the right lane to El C. R. This happens all the time especially people coming into the roundabout from el Camino Reno, they don't yield to traffic in roundabout coming off BV.

[JoMar]

Yes, except for some such as Buena Vista to Hillsborough Trail where you can move from the left/inner lane to the right/outside lane while still in the roundabout and making the left hand turn.

I don't think that's correct. I believe you can make that move when you have the broken line but until you reach the broken line you should stay in your lane. The arrow in the outside lane clearly indicates no left and the solid line should mean you don't cross it. Crossing before the broken line can create a collision. Personally, if there is traffic in the circle or entering the circle from the south I normally stay in the left lane and say hello to the gate operator....most time faster getting through then waiting in line of traffic.

[autumnspring]

If they're going south on BV and heading for El Camino, they should not be in the right lane.

It is a debate. It takes two cars to have an accident.
Truth-it is not an accident it is a STUPID.

We all know the round a bouts are dangerous. I for one will not allow someone to drive next to me on either side. It is not necessary. It is stupid as it blocks the other car from a place to avoid an accident. As to not allowing another car to sit next to me it is easy to avoid-speed up or slow down. Simple.

As to the round a bouts a right turn is legal from the left lane. LEGAL DOES NOT MAKE IT SMART. If, you missed your exit, it is far safer to drive around the round a bout.

Between walkers, talkers,dogs, bikes, golf carts, those us less security gates with an immediate golf cart crossing, people rushing to relax, this is an interesting place to drive.

[twoplanekid]

I don't think that's correct. I believe you can make that move when you have the broken line but until you reach the broken line you should stay in your lane. The arrow in the outside lane clearly indicates no left and the solid line should mean you don't cross it. Crossing before the broken line can create a collision. Personally, if there is traffic in the circle or entering the circle from the south I normally stay in the left lane and say hello to the gate operator....most time faster getting through then waiting in line of traffic.

As there is no solid line to cross, you can change to the outer or right hand lane. Otherwise, how would you be in that clearly marked right lane. I don't like that design and prefer this other one.

[Polar Bear]

It is a debate...
Nope. Making a 270 degree left turn from the right lane is wrong. Anybody trying to debate that is simply wrong.


...We all know the round a bouts are dangerous...
Wrong again.

We don't all know round a bouts are dangerous because they have been shown many times to be safer (and more efficient) than stop or signalized intersections.

[graciegirl]

Nope. Making a 270 degree left turn from the right lane is wrong. Anybody trying to debate that is simply wrong.



Wrong again.

We don't all know round a bouts are dangerous because they have been shown many times to be safer (and more efficient) than stop or signalized intersections.

LIKE Like like like like like

Like

[jeriteri]

It's the ole saying, "Watch out for the other guy". Simple

[circletrack]

It would help cause unbearable delays, that's all. Unless you left the approach streets as most are...two lanes...then it would cause unbearable conflicts too.

Honestly, considering you are never supposed to enter a roundabout as a car is making its way along the inside lane, or drive directly next to a car in the roundabout, I don't think the delays would be that drastic.

Of course few people ever follow those rules.

[Polar Bear]

Honestly, considering you are never supposed to enter a roundabout as a car is making its way along the inside lane, or drive directly next to a car in the roundabout, I don't think the delays would be that drastic...
The delays would come about because you would in effect be changing all approaching roads to one lane...two lanes of traffic can't enter a one lane roundabout nearly as efficiently. Merging would be forced...at higher volumes this is a disaster. The capacity of the overall system would be damatically reduced. At very low traffic volumes, maybe not much of a problem. At higher traffic volumes comes the disaster.

[circletrack]

The delays would come about because you would in effect be changing all approaching roads to one lane...two lanes of traffic can't enter a one lane roundabout nearly as efficiently. Merging would be forced...at higher volumes this is a disaster. The capacity of the overall system would be damatically reduced. At very low traffic volumes, maybe not much of a problem. At higher traffic volumes comes the disaster.

Good point! I was only thinking of the traffic within the circle.

[perrjojo]

After reading all of these posts I understand the problem with our roundabouts......everyone seems to have their own set rules.

[Bogie Shooter]

If waiting for the next post (opinion) bothers you, you can go to these previous threads for many, many more opinions.
Most are just being repeated on this thread...............

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/turn-signals-round-bouts-229564/?highlight=roundabout

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/right-way-239699/?highlight=roundabout

https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/official-roundabout-rules-link-219894/?highlight=roundabout

BTW I predict over 65 posts on this thread.

[VApeople]

He was headed south on Buena Vista in the left lane.

That is where he made his mistake.

While it is perfectly legal to use the left lane when you are going straight through a roundabout, it leaves you prey to people in the right lane who do not know what they are doing.

If your friend had been in the right lane, he would not have been hit.

[pluciano]

The directional traffic sign although vague before this roundabout indicates who has the right of way. The right or outside lane should only exit at the 1st or 2nd exit, not the 3th which is El Camino east bound. In this case the outside drive was wrong in spite of their disbelief. Especially since they contacted the inside lane drive in the REAR passenger side door....

[Sashss]

It's the ole saying, "Watch out for the other guy". Simple

Whenever friends come to visit us I explain the circles to them, I also tell them to approach each circle with the thought that the other guys do NOT know how to use the circles.

[Miles42]

Whenever friends come to visit us I explain the circles to them, I also tell them to approach each circle with the thought that the other guys do NOT know how to use the circles.

but everyone here knows how

[fishon]

Who has time for roundabouts?

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