Roundabout question

[Joaniesmom]

I recently had a close (very close) encounter at a local roundabout. The other driver was extremely angry with me and I have been thinking about the event ever since. I thought I was doing the right thing but now am not so sure.

I intended to go straight through the roundabout. I entered using the inside lane and was about to exit using the inside lane. That's where the close encounter took place. The other driver was on my right in the outside lane and was slightly behind me. I didn't see her in my blind spot. She evidently intended to continue around the roundabout in the outside lane to another exit point.

Fortunately no one was hurt nor any damage done. But I have been wondering about this ever since. In the meantime, I only go straight through a roundabout in the outside lane.

So, if going straight through a roundabout using the inside lane, do you have to yield to someone to your right when exiting?

I hope I explained this clearly and would appreciate any advice. I try very hard to be a safe and considerate driver. It was very upsetting to me to be yelled at and I certainly don't want to be the cause of any accidents.

[buckeyegirl]

Hi

I just moved here and have had the same thing happen to me so I hope someone answers this question. I understood your question completely. I just drive really slow in the roundabouts and try to do everything slowly, looking everywhere. I, too, have had some unpleasant people make gestures, etc. I would like for all of them to remember that they were new here once too and maybe had the same problems we are having. A little kindness goes a long way.

[Gator Fan]

Hi

I just moved here and have had the same thing happen to me so I hope someone answers this question. I understood your question completely. I just drive really slow in the roundabouts and try to do everything slowly, looking everywhere. I, too, have had some unpleasant people make gestures, etc. I would like for all of them to remember that they were new here once too and maybe had the same problems we are having. A little kindness goes a long way.

If you're in the inside lane, you can either go straight or 3/4 of the way around the roundabout. If you're in the outside lane, you can either take the first exit on your right or you can go straight (but not 3/4). Alot of people think they know how to drive in the roundabouts and they honk at people even when they're in the wrong. The signs entering the roundabouts even show how to use them, but people apparently don't pay attention to them. Gets worse at snowbird time.

[Skybo]

I intended to go straight through the roundabout. I entered using the inside lane and was about to exit using the inside lane. That's where the close encounter took place. The other driver was on my right in the outside lane and was slightly behind me. I didn't see her in my blind spot. She evidently intended to continue around the roundabout in the outside lane to another exit point.

Your scenario is exactly why I prefer to use the outside lane whenever I’m going “straight through” a roundabout. However, you were not at fault, the other driver was at fault. She was either going further around in the outside lane than she should have, or else she didn’t yield to both lanes of traffic and stagger herself far enough behind you when she entered the roundabout.

[mjfg154]

There are flyers available that explain the roundabouts. The signs before the roundabouts also diagram what each lane can do. I believe you (Joanniesmom) were correct. However, I always drive very defensively in the roundabouts and do not trust any driver there. If you notice the sign. When entering the roundabout, you would definitely use the outside lane if going immediately right or the first exit. If you are going straight, you can use either the inside or outside lane and exit in the straight/second exit - the brochure sates not to change lanes. If there is someone on the right, they should really be going right..unless they entered the roundabout from that first exit. However, they would not be that close to you as no one should enter the roundabout until all traffic is clear, so would have been farther behind you and watching you. If you are turning left or taking the third exit from the roundabout, you would definitely need to be in the inside lane.
Hope this is not too confusing. If you can find those roundabout flyers...it would help. I believe they are usually available at the rec centers in the information holder. I have seen them at Sea Breeze a few months ago. I keep them handy to give to company, so they are not too confused. Either way, for sure drive defensively. Don't think the other drivers really know the rules. I can make a .pdf file or the flyer and e-mail it if you send me your e-mail address. You can pm that to me. I don't know how to pm, but if you do, am sure it will get to me. Bottom line, from what you explained to me, you were driving correctly.

[Bogie Shooter]

Those are the correct answers, however, this thread will not end here. Roundabout threads occur approximately every 6 months, there will be over 50 posts with nearly as many different ways to use a roundabout..................................:popco rn::popcorn:

[Skybo]

Those are the correct answers, however, this thread will not end here. Roundabout threads occur approximately every 6 months, there will be over 50 posts with nearly as many different ways to use a roundabout..................................:popco rn::popcorn:

lol This is true!

[ilovetv]

I've had the same thing happen to me many times, Joaniesmom. In a nutshell, the driver slightly behind you in the outside lane was going to make a Left Turn from the Right Lane!

Now, just what would happen if you were at a Stop light or Stop sign, and she made a left turn from the right hand lane?? Everyone knows this is wrong and would be cited by the police. But here, for some reason, some drivers think they can turn left from the right-hand lane and cut across your lane in front of you as you are exiting properly from the roundabout to go straight in the same direction as you were before entering it. They are wrong!

Like you, I always stay in the outer lane if heading straight thru the roundabout. And if I'm going to turn Left, I get into the LEFT lane upon entering the circle. I've had flashbacks as you have, replaying those almost-collisions in which we assumed the other driver has some common sense. But some don't.

[Indydealmaker]

I recently had a close (very close) encounter at a local roundabout. The other driver was extremely angry with me and I have been thinking about the event ever since. I thought I was doing the right thing but now am not so sure.

I intended to go straight through the roundabout. I entered using the inside lane and was about to exit using the inside lane. That's where the close encounter took place. The other driver was on my right in the outside lane and was slightly behind me. I didn't see her in my blind spot. She evidently intended to continue around the roundabout in the outside lane to another exit point.

Fortunately no one was hurt nor any damage done. But I have been wondering about this ever since. In the meantime, I only go straight through a roundabout in the outside lane.

So, if going straight through a roundabout using the inside lane, do you have to yield to someone to your right when exiting?

I hope I explained this clearly and would appreciate any advice. I try very hard to be a safe and considerate driver. It was very upsetting to me to be yelled at and I certainly don't want to be the cause of any accidents.

This drawing should help to reassure you that you did it right.
7345

[Markam]

I think you were not at fault. The signs before every roundabout indicate what lane you should use in order to leave the roundabout at the three (generally) exits. If you were going 180 degrees around the circle, you could be in either lane. Assuming the other driver entered the roundabout with you, but in the outside lane, that driver should not have expected to have the 'right-of-way' to continue to the third exit.

[Bobbie416]

This drawing should help to reassure you that you did it right.
7345

Indydealmaker...Thank you for providing the drawing. A picture is worth a thousand words. I was trying to figure out how one would take a left turn in a roundabout. I now understand what was being said. I grew up in MA where there are many roundabouts, which we call rotaries. I do not recall ever seeing signs up there regarding what lane to use. I think if you grow up with it, it almost becomes second nature.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

If you're in the inside lane, you can either go straight or 3/4 of the way around the roundabout. If you're in the outside lane, you can either take the first exit on your right or you can go straight (but not 3/4). Alot of people think they know how to drive in the roundabouts and they honk at people even when they're in the wrong. The signs entering the roundabouts even show how to use them, but people apparently don't pay attention to them. Gets worse at snowbird time.

The problem I see here is if the other driver has entered the roundabout at your first exit. They are then going straight through from their angle. I always look to my right when exiting from the left hand lane and yield to any traffic that is there.

[philnpat]

Don't forget to use your turn signals when exiting the roundabouts. That way the person behind you will not be suprised when you "cut across their bow."

[DandyGirl]

The problem I see here is if the other driver has entered the roundabout at your first exit. They are then going straight through from their angle. I always look to my right when exiting from the left hand lane and yield to any traffic that is there.

Sorry but that doesn't make sense to me. If the car in the outside lane just entered the circle they would still need to give way to the car in the circle. You stopping to yield to them stops the flow of traffic and could cause a rear ending for you. JMO.

[Madelaine Amee]

I recently had a close (very close) encounter at a local roundabout. The other driver was extremely angry with me and I have been thinking about the event ever since. I thought I was doing the right thing but now am not so sure.

Whichever way a person chooses to negotiate the traffic circles, the most important thing (IMHO) is to use your signals. If I know where a person is going I can work with it, if I have no idea what you are going to do on the road we are both in trouble!

[getdul981]

Sorry but that doesn't make sense to me. If the car in the outside lane just entered the circle they would still need to give way to the car in the circle. You stopping to yield to them stops the flow of traffic and could cause a rear ending for you. JMO.

You should NEVER EVER stop in the round-about. If there is a car beside you and you can't make the exit, continue on around and make your exit on the next time around.

[getdul981]

Some of the worst offenders I have seen are the contractors pulling trailers. They always stay in the right lane no matter where they are going. Watch out for them!

[OpusX1]

The roundabout at Camino Real and Morse where it turns into Paige Place is another problem area. I was in the outside lane on Camino Real going around to go straight on Paige when a car passed me on the inside and cut me off to turn on Paige. Remember that Paige is a single lane. I laid on the horn as I had to stop in the roundabout and was flipped off for my effort.

[gatherer47]

What if you're in the outside lane wanting to go sraight thru the roundabout and a car in the inside lane right beside you wants to exit to the right? Many times cars have cut in front of me exiting as I was prepared to go straight? I've yielded to them but who has the rightaway?

[Wayne_TN]

The problem I see here is if the other driver has entered the roundabout at your first exit. They are then going straight through from their angle. I always look to my right when exiting from the left hand lane and yield to any traffic that is there.

Sorry but that doesn't make sense to me. If the car in the outside lane just entered the circle they would still need to give way to the car in the circle. You stopping to yield to them stops the flow of traffic and could cause a rear ending for you. JMO.

I apologize in advance if the following paragraph gives someone a headache...;)

I'd still like to see an answer to Dr B's question ... If you imagine the roundabout as a clock and Inside Ivan enters at 6 o'clock in the inside lane intending to exit at 12 o'clock and Outside Ollie enters in the outside lane at 3 o'clock intending to exit at 9 o'clock, they both can hit 12 o'clock at the same time and they both think they have the right of way. Obviously someone must have the "Right of Way" (and yes, I know, you can still get killed even though you have it, but still, it should be defined somewhere) I don't understand DandyGirl's response, because I don't understand why someone entering in the outside lane would "need to give right of way" to someone in the INSIDE lane... I personally just do what Dr B does - I try to make sure nobody's beside me when I exit at 12 o'clock, but with The Villages becoming more populated, this sometimes is difficult. (I used to just use the outside lane for my "straight thru" runs, until it dawned on me, I'm just making myself into an Outside Ollie and i can still get creamed at the 3 o'clock exit by an Inside Ivan who entered at 9 o'clock)..

[KathieI]

I have a few personal rules about roundabouts and so far, they have worked for me.

a) I never have a car in my blind spot. I view the mirrors upon entering the circle so I know exactly who is around me.

b) I slow down (Not Stop) and "YIELD" to traffic especially if I'm not sure they might cut me off.

c) I always use turn signals where appropriate.

I have been cut off many times by cars in the outside lane who want to continue around the circle and I'm proceeding to go straight, so this is how I avoid it. So far, its worked well.

[jdlennon]

To all who are driving and trying to do the right thing - do not stop in the roundabout! I have seen this when people are "afraid" someone might enter and not yield. It might mean you get rear-ended! Be ready to brake if necessary but don't stop in anticipation!

[KathieI]

To all who are driving and trying to do the right thing - do not stop in the roundabout! I have seen this when people are "afraid" someone might enter and not yield. It might mean you get rear-ended! Be ready to brake if necessary but don't stop in anticipation!

I've seen this a lot lately. I get nervous for the person stopping in the circle and wave them on because I'm afraid they will get rear-ended especially by a large construction truck.

[Russ_Boston]

The problem I see here is if the other driver has entered the roundabout at your first exit. They are then going straight through from their angle. I always look to my right when exiting from the left hand lane and yield to any traffic that is there.

This is exactly the reason that some people are confused. The very first rule, and arguably the most important, is to yield to ALL traffic that is already in the circle before you enter. So the scenario you paint could not happen if they were yielding properly.

[Russ_Boston]

I apologize in advance if the following paragraph gives someone a headache...;)

I'd still like to see an answer to Dr B's question ... If you imagine the roundabout as a clock and Inside Ivan enters at 6 o'clock in the inside lane intending to exit at 12 o'clock and Outside Ollie enters in the outside lane at 3 o'clock intending to exit at 9 o'clock, they both can hit 12 o'clock at the same time and they both think they have the right of way. Obviously someone must have the "Right of Way" (and yes, I know, you can still get killed even though you have it, but still, it should be defined somewhere) I don't understand DandyGirl's response, because I don't understand why someone entering in the outside lane would "need to give right of way" to someone in the INSIDE lane... I personally just do what Dr B does - I try to make sure nobody's beside me when I exit at 12 o'clock, but with The Villages becoming more populated, this sometimes is difficult. (I used to just use the outside lane for my "straight thru" runs, until it dawned on me, I'm just making myself into an Outside Ollie and i can still get creamed at the 3 o'clock exit by an Inside Ivan who entered at 9 o'clock)..


See previous response. Can't happen if you yield to ALL traffic.

It is actually very simple - do not enter the roundabout if EITHER one of the lanes in front of you, as you enter, has a car in it. And yes I have seen people enter when only ONE of the lanes is clear. It must be both lanes clear to enter. Then your scenario can not happen. Hope this helps. Just study the diagram given earlier. It is very clear.

[Russ_Boston]

What if you're in the outside lane wanting to go straight thru the roundabout and a car in the inside lane right beside you wants to exit to the right? Many times cars have cut in front of me exiting as I was prepared to go straight? I've yielded to them but who has the rightaway?

If there is indeed a car on the inside of you then they must have entered on the inside of you (right?). So in that case they can not take the immediate right. Again, see the diagram.

[Russ_Boston]

I have a few personal rules about roundabouts and so far, they have worked for me.

a) I never have a car in my blind spot. I view the mirrors upon entering the circle so I know exactly who is around me.

b) I slow down (Not Stop) and "YIELD" to traffic especially if I'm not sure they might cut me off.

c) I always use turn signals where appropriate.

I have been cut off many times by cars in the outside lane who want to continue around the circle and I'm proceeding to go straight, so this is how I avoid it. So far, its worked well.

Perfect answer Kathie!

[cquick]

]I have a few personal rules about roundabouts and so far, they have worked for me.
a) I never have a car in my blind spot. I view the mirrors upon entering the circle so I know exactly who is around me.
b) I slow down (Not Stop) and "YIELD" to traffic especially if I'm not sure they might cut me off.
c) I always use turn signals where appropriate.
I have been cut off many times by cars in the outside lane who want to continue around the circle and I'm proceeding to go straight, so this is how I avoid it[SIZE=2. So far, its worked well.[[/SIZE]

:agree:
Excellent suggestions, and I also agree that driving extremely defensively is the only way to go here in The Villages (or anywhere, really). I have avoided several accidents recently because I would rather YIELD to someone in the wrong than get hit being in the right! :pepper2::pepper2:

I can only assume it's new residents or part time residents who are confused and not sure of where they want to go.

[cquick]

If there is indeed a car on the inside of you then they must have entered on the inside of you (right?). So in that case they can not take the immediate right. Again, see the diagram.

Just let 'em go! much better to allow somebody to get where they want to go than get hit. so what? maybe next time they won't do it.......

[Wayne_TN]

Russ - thanks. :bowdown: I have never heard (or at least never processed) that you shouldn't enter the roundabout when somebody is in either lane approaching you - that should alleviate the problem (If we can get everybody to do it :undecided:)

KathyI's rules are good, too. - if nobody's near you when you try to turn, it's pretty hard to get clobbered...

As I think about this, I think in the future when I want to go straight thru the roundabout, I'm gonna try to be in the inside lane. That will force me to use Russ's rule about not entering when either lane is occupied and will give me the option of making another revolution with no worries if somebody does come up beside me and I'm not feeling good about whether they're gonna exit with me or keep going around...

I love it when a plan comes together :pepper2:

[Joaniesmom]

The problem I see here is if the other driver has entered the roundabout at your first exit. They are then going straight through from their angle. I always look to my right when exiting from the left hand lane and yield to any traffic that is there.


That's what I was wondering about. It was all perfectly clear to me until I started thinking about folks going straight through starting from the first exit to my right.

The whole thing gives me a headache. I'll be fine staying in the outside lane unless, unfortunately, I have to make a left turn!

[KathieI]

Russ - thanks. :bowdown: I have never heard (or at least never processed) that you shouldn't enter the roundabout when somebody is in either lane approaching you - that should alleviate the problem (If we can get everybody to do it :undecided:)

KathyI's rules are good, too. - if nobody's near you when you try to turn, it's pretty hard to get clobbered...

As I think about this, I think in the future when I want to go straight thru the roundabout, I'm gonna try to be in the inside lane. That will force me to use Russ's rule about not entering when either lane is occupied and will give me the option of making another revolution with no worries if somebody does come up beside me and I'm not feeling good about whether they're gonna exit with me or keep going around...

I love it when a plan comes together :pepper2:

Excellent. That's exactly what I do too.. If someone is in the circle, I do not enter until its clear. And watch who is around you and if someone does enter the circle at the first exit, I slow down until I figure what they are doing. Slow down is not Stop and it is yielding, which is always good. The few times I almost got clobbered, someone came into the circle without looking and I was in the circle in the outer lane exiting into the first exit. I guess people do not know the meaning of "YIELD"??? Be safe, we all are retired and living the good life. (well, most of us, lol)

[skyguy79]

I recently had a close (very close) encounter at a local roundabout. The other driver was extremely angry with me and I have been thinking about the event ever since. I thought I was doing the right thing but now am not so sure.

So, if going straight through a roundabout using the inside lane, do you have to yield to someone to your right when exiting?

I hope I explained this clearly and would appreciate any advice. I try very hard to be a safe and considerate driver. It was very upsetting to me to be yelled at and I certainly don't want to be the cause of any accidents.Let me answer your concern in a way that I don't think anyone has yet to mention. If the vehicle in the right lane had hit you, they would have found out the hard way that they were in the wrong when they were given a citation for failure to yield the right of way to you.

p.s. On Saturday I noticed a commercial vehicle that presumably exited from the Hemingway gate near Havana CC that did a 360, or possibly a 450 (full circle and a quarter from Morse SB) entirely in the outside lane, then entered the Hemingway gate station and then make a left into Havana. Good thing we weren't a few seconds sooner in entering from the Hadley gate or we could have possibly gotten hit!

[Bogie Shooter]

33 posts and counting.

roundabout brochure
http://sumtercountyfl.gov/DocumentView.aspx?DID=3939

[drdodge]

I am from Boston and we have a lot roundabouts. WHEN U ENTER STAY TO THE RIGHT UNTIL U EXIT AND THEN U WILL BE SAFE. U SHOULD NEVER MAKE RIGHT TURN FROMTHE LEFT SIDE OF THE CIRCLE
DRD

[Bogie Shooter]

I am from Boston and we have a lot roundabouts. WHEN U ENTER STAY TO THE RIGHT UNTIL U EXIT AND THEN U WILL BE SAFE. U SHOULD NEVER MAKE RIGHT TURN FROMTHE LEFT SIDE OF THE CIRCLE
DRD

Even in all CAPS, this is all wrong!

[Indydealmaker]

That's what I was wondering about. It was all perfectly clear to me until I started thinking about folks going straight through starting from the first exit to my right.

The whole thing gives me a headache. I'll be fine staying in the outside lane unless, unfortunately, I have to make a left turn!

In that instance, the party entering from your right is not supposed to enter the roundabout until you have passed them and they are not supposed to ever pass anyone IN the circle. That would allow them to see your right turn signal and honor your right of way.

[Indydealmaker]

I am from Boston and we have a lot roundabouts. WHEN U ENTER STAY TO THE RIGHT UNTIL U EXIT AND THEN U WILL BE SAFE. U SHOULD NEVER MAKE RIGHT TURN FROMTHE LEFT SIDE OF THE CIRCLE
DRD

Think about that for a second.
That would only work for a single lane circle.
In the event of two lanes, the left lane could only go round and round for ever like Chevy Chase in European Vacation.:shrug:

[John_W]

I found the easiest way is to imagine a 4-way stop instead of a round circle. Each side has two lanes. If you were to make a right turn or to go straight you would of used the right lane at a 4-way stop. If you are making a left turn you would of been in the left turn. Same rules apply to a roundabout. So when you go to the third exit in the outside (right lane), you've made an illegal left turn and have put yourself in jeopardy of being T-boned by a car on the inside lane going straight. That's the one difference, the option of going straight can be made from either lane. However, if you apply all the 4-way stop rules you shouldn't have a problem.

[OldDave]

I responded to another thread about the recent accidents and driving in TV a little bit ago. I had not seen this thread. I did go on and on about the same round about isses raised here.

I think the one thing this post proves is just how confusing the round abouts are here. You simply cannot understand a circle that lets people turn right from left lanes. It would be much better to reduce all the traffic a single lane for the round abouts, but I'm guessing in January you would have chaos.

I have to agree with what drd said, that is how roundabouts work in most of the world. Also, in general two lane roundabouts exist in places where they are much larger and there is room to change lanes between exits. You stay in the inside lane until you are near your turn and then change to the right lane, with those behind you in the right lane generally turning at the exit you just passed. These in TV are so small, you're always at an exit. Essentially the left lane really doesn't have a function, other than to clog things up.

I wish we had a traffic engineer on here who could shed some light about how these could actually function smoothly.

[Bogie Shooter]

I responded to another thread about the recent accidents and driving in TV a little bit ago. I had not seen this thread. I did go on and on about the same round about isses raised here.

I think the one thing this post proves is just how confusing the round abouts are here. You simply cannot understand a circle that lets people turn right from left lanes. It would be much better to reduce all the traffic a single lane for the round abouts, but I'm guessing in January you would have chaos.

I have to agree with what drd said, that is how roundabouts work in most of the world. Also, in general two lane roundabouts exist in places where they are much larger and there is room to change lanes between exits. You stay in the inside lane until you are near your turn and then change to the right lane, with those behind you in the right lane generally turning at the exit you just passed. These in TV are so small, you're always at an exit. Essentially the left lane really doesn't have a function, other than to clog things up.

I wish we had a traffic engineer on here who could shed some light about how these could actually function smoothly.

...

[Mikeod]

I wish we had a traffic engineer on here who could shed some light about how these could actually function smoothly.
The roundabouts actually will function smoothly if people would simply follow the signs posted. But too many simply think they KNOW how to navigate the roundabouts, a good example being the poster above who states you should stay in the outside lane all the way around. WRONG WRONG. Read the signs, read the brochure. Examine the diagram posted earlier in this thread.

The other major factor, as stated above, is to never enter a roundabout beside another car already there. BOTH lanes must be clear before entering the roundabout. It's not rocket science. You can do it safely with a little awareness.

And for those who wish they were one lane. Not going to happen. Two lanes were a requirement by the county for TV to be built with the density it has. So you might as well learn to navigate them the way they were designed.

[OldDave]

Not to beat this dead horse more than necessary, Mike. But it is clear the signs don't make sense to many, many people. I was there for a month, I studied the signs, and I've read what all these folks have said. They are very confusing.

[Bogie Shooter]

Not to beat this dead horse more than necessary, Mike. But it is clear the signs don't make sense to many, many people. I was there for a month, I studied the signs, and I've read what all these folks have said. They are very confusing.

These are the same people who do not understand what a stop sign, yield sign, speed limit sign, etc. means!

[Bogie Shooter]

For more information:
59 posts https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/who-knows-how-drive-round-bouts-56807/

46 posts https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/roundabouts-56058/

173 posts https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/new-roundabout-signs-48589/

50 posts https://www.talkofthevillages.com/forums/villages-florida-general-discussion-73/very-last-roundabout-post-49102/

[Joaniesmom]

I found the easiest way is to imagine a 4-way stop instead of a round circle. Each side has two lanes. If you were to make a right turn or to go straight you would of used the right lane at a 4-way stop. If you are making a left turn you would of been in the left turn. Same rules apply to a roundabout. So when you go to the third exit in the outside (right lane), you've made an illegal left turn and have put yourself in jeopardy of being T-boned by a car on the inside lane going straight. That's the one difference, the option of going straight can be made from either lane. However, if you apply all the 4-way stop rules you shouldn't have a problem.

That's what I thought, too.

The outside lane = straight or right turn and the inside lane = straight or left turn sounds easy. But it doesn't take into consideration someone doing exactly the same thing from your 3 o'clock position, assuming that you entered at 6 o'clock.

[dillywho]

The diagram is correct...thanks for that post. That being said, the speed for the roundabouts is 20 mph, not the 35-50 some are going before getting there. Please, please, please slow down or simply leave earlier.:eek:

[downeaster]

That's what I thought, too.

The outside lane = straight or right turn and the inside lane = straight or left turn sounds easy. But it doesn't take into consideration someone doing exactly the same thing from your 3 o'clock position, assuming that you entered at 6 o'clock.

If the one entering from three o'clock is going to exit at twelve o'clock he stays in the right lane. If he is planning to exit at nine o'clock he should not enter if it will conflict with someone in the either lane (he has no way of knowing where the one in the left lane is going to exit).

The same rules apply regardless of where you enter.

[Mikeod]

Not to beat this dead horse more than necessary, Mike. But it is clear the signs don't make sense to many, many people. I was there for a month, I studied the signs, and I've read what all these folks have said. They are very confusing.
I would be interested in what you would suggest to make the signs more clear. To me, they show two lanes entering the roundabout and show what each lane can do. So, you have to be in the correct lane as you enter in order to go where you desire coming out of the roundabout.

Besides being in the correct lane, the other critical factor in navigating the roundabouts is to NEVER enter if there is traffic in either lane approaching you. Just because the outside lane is clear doesn't make it OK to enter into that lane.

[buzzy]

Today I saw a lady start to exit at the wrong street. So she stopped and backed into the roundabout, then went to the next exit. Glad I wasn't behind her. Some people have no idea that there are other people on Earth with them.

[Joaniesmom]

If the one entering from three o'clock is going to exit at twelve o'clock he stays in the right lane. If he is planning to exit at nine o'clock he should not enter if it will conflict with someone in the either lane (he has no way of knowing where the one in the left lane is going to exit).

The same rules apply regardless of where you enter.
Exactly. :agree: I don't think that part of the equation is mentioned enough.

[JoeC1947]

If the one entering from three o'clock is going to exit at twelve o'clock he stays in the right lane. If he is planning to exit at nine o'clock he should not enter if it will conflict with someone in the either lane (he has no way of knowing where the one in the left lane is going to exit).

The same rules apply regardless of where you enter.

So if the first car enters at 3:00 and exits at 12:00 that means it was going in circles for 9 hours.

[tzangrilli]

Every roundabout has a green sign just before you enter. Right lane to turn right or go straight, left lane to turn left or go straight. 20 Mph speed limit sign also, well before entering. Pretty simple.

[pqrstar]

The key is for the entering car to "yield to BOTH traffic lanes" inside the traffic circle.

All yield signs should have a sign below that that states "YIELD TO BOTH LANES"

that should clarify it.

[downeaster]

So if the first car enters at 3:00 and exits at 12:00 that means it was going in circles for 9 hours.

Can't answer that question as I got dizzy going in circles and lost track of time.

[goodgrief]

To the OP. According to those clearly placed signs you did right as long as the driver entered at the same point you did (bottom) of circle. Both lanes can exit at top. or vise versa. Right lane cannot go 3/4 around in this situation. Sorry thats what is clearly posted! Sorry I just watched one this morning go straight through the circle..entered in the right lane, changed lanes and changed lanes so he didn't have to navigate in a single lane. This will get you killed or a severally damaged vehicle if the situation was right. He did this at several circles....you know who you are if you're reading this. Or...maybe there is more than one if a bunch of you are going "hey thats me". I did force him into a single lane at one point :) Made my day cause I caught up with him and rode through in the left lane right next to him keeping him in his lane :) Teach by showing HAH.

Anyway back to the original post. Folks....I drive the circle correctly and will navigate in the left lane from top to bottom or as a lot say "straight through". If you cut in front me or cause an accident please be aware...you will be held at fault. Everyone who is behind a wheel of a vehicle needs to learn the laws, if you don't know, don't understand, stop by the sheriff's annex and they'll instruct you, give you a pretty little flyer. Its the drivers responsibility to know what they're doing behind the wheel.

And yes the idiot factor has gone up tenfold in the last month.

[daca55]

This roundabout issue will always be a problem and they will always be
unsafe do to the many drivers from different places who never saw a roundabout till they came to TV and also to some point the age of the drivers. I believe the end to this issue is to make the rounderabouts for one lane of traffic and not two. During the busy months we all may have to wait a little but I believe the traffic through the roundabouts will flow better and safer. I'm just saying........

[downeaster]

To the OP. According to those clearly placed signs you did right as long as the driver entered at the same point you did (bottom) of circle. Both lanes can exit at top. or vise versa. Right lane cannot go 3/4 around in this situation. Sorry thats what is clearly posted! Sorry I just watched one this morning go straight through the circle..entered in the right lane, changed lanes and changed lanes so he didn't have to navigate in a single lane. This will get you killed or a severally damaged vehicle if the situation was right. He did this at several circles....you know who you are if you're reading this. Or...maybe there is more than one if a bunch of you are going "hey thats me". I did force him into a single lane at one point :) Made my day cause I caught up with him and rode through in the left lane right next to him keeping him in his lane :) Teach by showing HAH.

Anyway back to the original post. Folks....I drive the circle correctly and will navigate in the left lane from top to bottom or as a lot say "straight through". If you cut in front me or cause an accident please be aware...you will be held at fault. Everyone who is behind a wheel of a vehicle needs to learn the laws, if you don't know, don't understand, stop by the sheriff's annex and they'll instruct you, give you a pretty little flyer. Its the drivers responsibility to know what they're doing behind the wheel.

And yes the idiot factor has gone up tenfold in the last month.

Maybe we should recognize the fact a lot of newer people have never seen a roundabout. They haven't had time to visit the Sheriff's office and have no idea there is a brochure and they have not discovered TOTV. Maybe we can cut them a little slack and stay in the right lane if we are exiting at 180 degrees. Causing an accident that is avoidable makes no sense to me even if I am not at fault (technically).

[Bogie Shooter]

57 opinions and counting...........................

[JoeC1947]

57 opinions and counting...........................

Wait a minute! You can't count what I said as an opinion.....

[pqrstar]

on 12/6 GOODGRIEF WROTE "I did force him into a single lane at one point Made my day cause I caught up with him and rode through in the left lane right next to him keeping him in his lane Teach by showing HAH."

So if he is at fault, did you expect him to repair your automobile???

That may have been a very expensive lesson for YOU!

The No Fault provision is essentially an agreement between the Insurance Companies and the Florida Legislature. Under the provision, Insurance Companies are required to provide a certain level of coverage for their insured if they are involved in an automobile accident, regardless of fault. In exchange, a victim of an auto-accident can only bring a claim against an at-fault party if they have sustained a permanent injury.

[ilovetv]

.......
As I think about this, I think in the future when I want to go straight thru the roundabout, I'm gonna try to be in the inside lane. That will force me to use Russ's rule about not entering when either lane is occupied and will give me the option of making another revolution with no worries if somebody does come up beside me and I'm not feeling good about whether they're gonna exit with me or keep going around...

I love it when a plan comes together :pepper2:

Your thinking is right, but not everybody who comes up beside you in the outside lane is thinking.

I always wait until there are no cars in either lane in the circle to my left before entering. But what's happened various times is that if I enter the rotary in the inside lane intending to go straight (thru) it, a car in the outside lane and slightly beside or behind me decides to cut to the left in front of me or almost t-boning me as I'm about to exit at 12 o'clock. That's why I use the outer lane for entering at 6 o'clock and exiting at 12 o'clock....some bozo often enters at 6 or 3 o'clock intending to exit at 9 o'clock and they cut across your straight-bound exit at 12. It's a heart stopper when they decide to turn left from the right (outer) lane.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

Every roundabout has a green sign just before you enter. Right lane to turn right or go straight, left lane to turn left or go straight. 20 Mph speed limit sign also, well before entering. Pretty simple.

Not all that simple. If you enter the inside lane at 6:00 and are going to take the 2nd exit and someone enters the outside lane at 3:00 and wants to take their second exit, they are going to be on your right when you want to turn right. You'd better be aware that they are there and be very careful before exiting the round about.

[LndLocked]

Not all that simple. If you enter the inside lane at 6:00 and are going to take the 2nd exit and someone enters the outside lane at 3:00 and wants to take their second exit, they are going to be on your right when you want to turn right. You'd better be aware that they are there and be very careful before exiting the round about.

While I agree that care must be taken in this situation ... the person entering at 3:00 would be at fault should they cause an accident as they would have crossed the dashed white center line without a clear right of way.

[Dr Winston O Boogie jr]

While I agree that care must be taken in this situation ... the person entering at 3:00 would be at fault should they cause an accident as they would have crossed the dashed white center line without a clear right of way.

If you look at it that way, The person on the left has also crossed a dashed white center line.


There are two white dashed center lines at each entrance and exit. One that continues around the round about and another that goes to the street on is exiting to.

In my opinion, this problem could be solved by restricting use of the outside lane to vehicles using the first exit.

[Mikeod]

In my opinion, this problem could be solved by restricting use of the outside lane to vehicles using the first exit.
While that is true, it would simply move the problem to the streets approaching the roundabout. Imagine the jockeying for the left lane before the roundabout, especially during the high season. Do you think those that are blocked from the right lane by other traffic are going to turn right and not try to go straight ahead? And, if people can't/won't follow the directions on the signs, or wait until both lanes are clear before entering the roundabout, what makes you think they will honor the right/outside lane must turn right rule?

Really, the only thing you can do is to navigate them properly and watch out for those that are unwilling to follow the rules of the road, same as you do elsewhere

[LndLocked]

If you look at it that way, The person on the left has also crossed a dashed white center line.


There are two white dashed center lines at each entrance and exit. One that continues around the round about and another that goes to the street on is exiting to.

In my opinion, this problem could be solved by restricting use of the outside lane to vehicles using the first exit.

It is not a matter of how I look at it ... it is a matter of legal right of way. A dashed white center line may be crossed ONLY if it is "clear". If a person entering a roundabout in the inside lane crosses a dashed white line into the path of a vehicle, they would be at fault. Just as a vehicle in the outside lane making a "left" crosses a dashed white line, into the path of a vehicle in the inside lane (who is legally exiting the roundabout) .... they would be at fault.

Their are roundabouts in TV that have solid white lines at entrance / exit points. In this case the outside lane NEVER has a legal right to cross that solid line. This forces a vehicle in the outside lane to legally remain there and turn at the first exit. The Springdale roundabout is one example of this.

Naturally, all of this is "legalities" ..... and you can be completely in the legal right of way and be involved in an accident caused by the uninformed, careless and clueless. I watch people all around me while in a roundabout like a hawk, ALWAYS use a blinker when exiting and NEVER take for granted anyone around me will do what they are "legally" required to do.

[Russ_Boston]

Not all that simple. If you enter the inside lane at 6:00 and are going to take the 2nd exit and someone enters the outside lane at 3:00 and wants to take their second exit, they are going to be on your right when you want to turn right. You'd better be aware that they are there and be very careful before exiting the round about.

Can't happen. That second car (the one at 3:00) could not enter the circle since they MUST yield. You already said the car at 6:00 was in the circle.

This is the whole problem in a nutshell. You must yield to ALL traffic before entering. Don't see why people keep putting up scenarios that involve someone not following rule 1.

[Bogie Shooter]

Can't happen. That second car (the one at 3:00) could not enter the circle since they MUST yield. You already said the car at 6:00 was in the circle.

This is the whole problem in a nutshell. You must yield to ALL traffic before entering. Don't see why people keep putting up scenarios that involve someone not following rule 1.

Now Russ, you know the answer to that question. :D

[HMLRHT1]

This whole roundabout talk is just a circle! It won't change folks. Learn it, live it or die from it. It's your choice!

[OldDave]

After reading an unbelievable 70 posts on this, yes some of them mine, I think I've found the nib of gist, as they say. (Well someone said it.)

Early on someone said TV was required to build two lane round abouts because of the county. As I look at how small they are, and how the turns are allowed, this seems to be the problem. They should be single lane and that would avoid all confusion. (But apparently it isn't possible.) I just reviewed several of them on Google Maps, and as it clearly shows you can enter at 6 oclock in the right lane, and keep going on north, but the person in the inside lane coming around toward you can turn right into 3 oclock from that left lane. That is still crazy, and as many people has advised, the only thing you can do is make sure no one is coming when you enter. Of course, what do you do when two cars enter together from 6 oclock and the right hand car plans to go straight and the left hand guy intends to turn right from the left lane.

Mr. Chairman, I move all discussion on this issue cease and we move to an immediate vote...and discuss other sillier subjects. "Is there a second?"

[Mikeod]

[QUOTE=OldDave;591416
Of course, what do you do when two cars enter together from 6 oclock and the right hand car plans to go straight and the left hand guy intends to turn right from the left lane.
[/QUOTE]

Sorry, you still don't understand. In the example above with two cars entering at 6 o'clock, the car on the inside lane CANNOT exit at 3 o'clock. That car has only two choices, exit at 12 o'clock (straight through) or continue around to exit at 9 o'clock.

But your point about not entering the roundabout until there is not traffic coming from you left in either lane is spot on and perhaps the most critical to safely navigate them.