Round-abouts again
 

I know you are probably tired of this issue but let me address something that hasn't been considered very much. Traffic flow would be much smoother, there would be less accidents, and much less confusion if drivers would only do a simple thing. SIGNAL WHEN YOU ARE EXITING THE ROUND ABOUT !!! Why people don't use their turn signals when exiting a round about is a wonder to me...

No it won't.

The only way is to make the traffic circle one single lane.

:22yikes:

That's wrong on so many levels I won't even go into specifics.

Agree...signalling would help. I do it hoping it will catch the attention of the hurried driver who otherwise might cut me off.

Best advice I ever ran across on TOTV was to never drive through or enter a roundabout next to another vehicle.
I always use turn signals to let other drivers know my intentions!

:bigbow::bigbow::bigbow:

They think their going straight. There no straight thru roundabout, you must use you’re turn signal when exiting, but also supposed to stop behind stops signs also which happen as about as often as signaling when exiting roundabouts. Good point, but lost cause.

I signal ever time with my finger...No ones notices.:duck:

Of course signaling is a good thing.

But to be honest, if you obey the two most important rules (imo) of roundabout driving...yield to both lanes of the roundabout before entering and never drive next to another vehicle within the roundabout...potential conflicts have already been minimized even without signaling your exit.

:ho: Well I guess if we are going to rehash this topic again.... it's worth repeating Sumter Co. has a nice guide that tax dollars paid for on how to drive in roundabouts. I would assume it was written by the "experts".(The professional type.... not the TOTV type)

Here is a link:

https://www.districtgov.org/communit...t-02-08-12.pdf

I don't signal because my hands are busy steering my car.

The only time I am in the left lane is when I am going 3/4 of the way around. In that case, my hands are busy steering left around the circle and then I have to steer right to make my exit.

Polar Bear makes a very good point:

Painting the white lines would be helpful.

Not everyone who drives through roundabouts is a member of this forum, and would even know that rules were available from Sumter County. Not everyone who visits the Villages knows that it's the county that makes the rules of these roads, and not the Villages. Some people might think these are owned by the Villages, not public roads. Especially people who are visiting friends for the first time.

People who've lived here, or driven through here a few times, for awhile, should definitely know better. But you're assuming that everyone who drives through or in knows a) to look for the roundabouts, b) that they exist, c) that the rules for them are available from the county (not the town, not the CDD, not the forum, not The Villages Sales office), and d) that the rules her might be different from the rules for the roundabouts where they're from, and therefore they have any reason to check at all.

Well said!
You are correct on every point that you've made.

Of course it will improve the flow of traffic.

The problem if this, you cannot control the behavior of drivers. All the instructions in the world will not make a driver do anything they choose not to do.

If I understand your comment, you never use your signal when exiting a roadway onto another roadway or even you driveway. You are one of those who cause accidents by not indicating your intentions to other drivers.

:bigbow::bigbow:

You did not understand my comment. It only pertained to my non-use of turn signals in a roundabout.

I agree, traffic would move along more briskly if signals were used. You sit there trying to guess who is going to turn as the traffic builds up behind you.

Hope I don’t run out THIS TIME!!!!:popcorn:

Or the hundreds of posts on TOTV......

Count me in as one of those drivers who "cause accidents by not indicating their intentions to other drivers".BTW, I use my directionals all the time with the exception of the RABs. In fact, after driving TV RABs for over 10 years, I have yet to cause one accident. In fact, if I have seen drivers use their directionals a total of maybe 50 times in 10 years, that is probably grossly over estimated.

Does the directional actually automatically cancel itself when exiting a RAB? I wouldn't know as I never have tried it.

Is that a problem?

I am a slow driver and I do not follow other drivers closely. I have never worried about traffic building up behind me.

The roundabouts are not typical inmost North American areas. My husband who drives tour buses all over the continent experienced a bit of difficulty with them. Everyone is used to lights, arrows, turns, etc. This roundabout idea is probably there for a reason but to new people like me until I get used to it -it is just an unsafe nuisance.

The safest driving method in most places is to go with the traffic. Signaling is really a good idea so other people can see your intention. It’s like saying when someone is in your way, “Excuse me” first, instead of just plowing right ahead.

In order not to deal with the traffic hubby always took the highways and main roads to get anywhere in TV that was at any distance. Especially after our real estate agent bombed up and down Morse while texting throughout the whole time. I couldn’t wait to get out of his car. But he was a great agent otherwise.

Are you saying you turn on a directional to enter your driveway?

If you have someone behind you and you are going to apply the brakes and turn then it’s just communicating your intent. If there is no one else around then there is no one to communicate to. Personally, I watch the movement and the angle of the car to anticipate what they plan to do.

I do, because it is wise to do, and it developes a good habit pattern.
I don’t agree with some drivers who feel it is up to them to choose when to use turn signals or not.
I believe turn signals show our intensions to other drivers in our immediate vicinity.

You can still get a "failure to signal" ticket even if there is nobody around.
I always signal, whether it's to turn or change lanes. Even when entering the roundabouts I signal my future intent, so's others can hopefully see what I want to do..it's a habit, second nature.
Steve

When I was learning to drive I was always told to watch out for the other guy......when I got here I found many that are here believe they are the other guy and expected me to watch out for them. Which is why they never cause accidents.

I live by these two rules when it comes to TV RABs. This is my mantra in every RAB thread that has ever been discussed here on TOTV.

I live by these two rules...... I NEVER EVER drive next to anyone in the RAB. I adjust my speed so not to be next to anyone. That is purely defensive driving. I also NEVER EVER enter a RAB when a car is in either one of the lanes. Again....defensive driving.

Anytime in a RAB or regular roadways, when someone has their directional on, I always wait until they actually make their turn before I proceed to move my car forward. I DO NOT TRUST anyone's directional. Too many people forget the directional is on. Have you ever followed someone on the roadway for any length of time with their directional still blinking? I have seen this too many times to ever trust anyone's directional. I have seen too many directionals blinking and the driver does not do what the directional was telling me they were intending to do.

Trust then verify will always prevent an accident. Someone who uses their directional in a RAB will never get me to believe they plan to exit a RAB. When their tires begin to turn in the direction of their exit point and when their car actually makes their exit is when i will know it is safe to proceed.

I take defensive driving to another level I guess. Sorry if I slow the traffic pattern but I prefer to be safe.

You’re not holding up traffic. You’re doing the right thing.

If they’re close enough that you need to see a turn signal to go, then you should be yielding to them anyway. Then if they turn, you go.

This is another example of why signals are a nice courtesy, but not that important if you’re yielding to traffic properly anyway.

Of course I do. Why not. Suppose someone is directly behind you, doesn't it make sense to indicate you are about to slow down and make a turn.

I do the same thing.

A few days ago I was driving north on Morse and I stopped at the Hollsborough RAB because a car was coming thru the RAB in the outside lane.

I remained there until I was absolutely sure the other car was turning to go south on Morse. In the meantime, the guy behind me honked at me. I thought it was pretty funny.

Given the non use of signals freely admitted by many on this post
The hundreds of different personal versions of how to navigate a roundabout.
Given the age of many drivers, their slow reaction times, poor eyesight, the amount medicatiion, booze ingested, I am astounded at the numbers who actually survive driving in The Villages.
The Gods must smile on, and watch over this place!

I agree with you - using turn signals would make ALL the difference. However, do you notice that turn signals are rarely used ANYWHERE?

Roundabout Courtesy
 

I agree and have been doing this for a long time but most people do not. Sometimes a driver will actually switch lanes during the roundabout exit without signaling which of course is quite risky. In addition, as many drivers approach the roundabout, instead of obeying the signs that say "reduced speed ahead" they speed up as if partaking in a race. Go figure.

Simple rules for approaching a roundabout.
The LEFT lane is for going straight and turning LEFT
The RIGHT lane if for going straight and turning RIGHT

Get it??

Ummm...I think that's incorrect.
https://www.districtgov.org/communit...t-02-08-12.pdf
Steve