Traffic Circle Right of Way
 

After another close call I thought I might discuss the right of way rules for traffic circles. It's really very easy. If you find yourself crossing a solid line in a traffic circle (or else where for that matter) you are doing something wrong. If you wish to cross a dashed line in a traffic circle (or else where for that matter) you may do so only if there is no body else in the lane that you wish to cross into. Traffic already in a lane has the right of way. If you wish to remain in your lane and not cross any lines, whether your lane stays in the circle or exits the circle, congratulations you have the right of way, but be very careful. The biggest issue I see are people in the right (outside) lane continuing around the circle, cutting across the dashed line that directs vehicles in the inside lane to exit. In most circles in the villages, the inside lane has the right of way to exit as shown by the lines on the road. There are exceptions of source. The green traffic signs you see as you approach the circles are informational only to help you see what roads are ahead and suggested traffic flow. They are NOT regulatory and do NOT indicate right of way of any mind.

So, stay in your lane, and if you need to cross a dashed line, check that the lane is clear first. Just that easy, but you already knew that didn't you.

" The green traffic signs you see as you approach the circles are informational only to help you see what roads are ahead and suggested traffic flow. They are NOT regulatory and do NOT indicate right of way of any mind."

WHAT?

Here is a simple way to know what to do in a traffic circle. Think of it as a 4 lane intersection. If you approach an intersection and you want to turn right you get in the right lane for your turn, if you want to turn left you get in the left lane. You never turn left from the right lane on right from the left lane in a normal 4 lane intersection. If you are going straight Through the intersection you use either lane. The Traffic circles are the same, follow the rules you use in a normal intersection and you will not have any issues.

If I had a buck for every time I have seen someone go right from the inside lane could buy the most expensive house here for cash.

Absolutely astounds us that the rest of the world has no problems with traffic circles but in the US most have no clue. It is correct to think of it as an intersection and act accordingly. Also USE YOUR BLINKERS/INDICATORS!!

Has reached a point that if anyone is in an inside land near me I expect to see them cut me off.

Yes, I expect the same thing. As I understand the traffic rules in the roundabouts, they have the right to do that.

Times like that wish I drove an M1.

And that explanation is as simple as can be. When we came here 9 years ago, I was not familiar with traffic circles of two lanes. Some dear person on this forum gave me your explanation, and it made perfect sense.


The only thing I would add is that if you're on the inside lane and someone comes up parallel to you on the outside lane, assume they're not doing it right and drop back a bit to let them continue on in their mistake unencumbered.

I find most problems are people not yielding to All traffic in the roundabout before entering, just cause you are in the right lane (outside) and car coming around in the inside lane don’t give you the right away to pull out in front of them when they are exiting.

Then there the ones that enter the roundabout in left lane cut off into right lane and exit back in left lane when going straight through. there no short cut through roundabout.

Then there the ones that enter in right lane and go round to third exit, when they was supposed to exit the first or second exit in the right (outside) lane.

My last bad example somebody enters in the left (inside lane and exits at the first exit when they was supposed to be in the right lane to exit at first exit.

I automatically assume I’m going to get cut-off, pulled in front of and get squeezed in my lane if I let somebody beside me, which I try to avoid at ALL costs.

I make a point to stay in the right lane, assume the everybody else has the right of way and I live to see another day. It is more important to avoid a wreck than to be correct.

Two words...Traffic sign. Look at the sign posted before every circle (and the speed limit) Follow those instructions and you can't miss. I forgot....winter is coming

If you’re going straight through a circle and you enter through the center lane, you stay in that center lane to exit the circle. Two different times I had a driver from the right lane cut directly across in front of me and I had to lock up my brakes to keep from broadsiding them. Bottom line is there are way too many people that don’t have a clue.

That is about the clearest explanation I’ve seen and most people who have replied don’t get it. It’s why there are so many problems. You can turn right from the inside lane most places so the outside lane never has the right-of-way when continuing through the circle and that’s where most of the problems come from. You can see from the responses that almost no one understands that.

all exits are not created equal. try going north on morse and then enter the roundabout and then exit to 27/441 going north. no matter what lane you are in you must crossover.

........and PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE use your turn signals. Unfortunately, the rules to whom these messages apply probably don't read these handy hints. Too bad!

You are correct sir...

You are correct! You do turn right from the inside lane! The first car entering the circle has the right away.

Traffic circles are Trump's fault. :boxing2: :)

Its not the US who has no clue. Its The Villages! I have traveled many places with circles and never have an issue. Get right thru the roundabout smoothly. Here.....well, everyone just does what they want and expects you to get out of their way. Just like shoppers coming out of Walmart. They just walk directly into the parking lot, looking straight ahead and expect you to jam on your breaks. The “entitlement” attitude is everyone of ALL ages

maybe it's the name.....up north we called them 'rotaries', they were much bigger circles with nothing in the center obstructing views, much easier to navigate

but these 'roundabouts' in TV are nothing....if you really want a challenge....fly over to Ireland, where you drive on the opposite side of the road...there's more than a
few roundabouts over there that will test your driving skills...especially if you're driving a rental, using your left hand to operate the stick shift and have no clue where you're going...lol

we ended up going around more than a couple a few times...just for good measure

So? Its just like changing lanes on the road. You LOOK before you change.

Yeah!! Some one who knows how it is correctly done! And explained it clearly. I get tired of these articles that say that if you are in the right lane you can turn on the next one or two turns. That is soooo wrong! Surprising there are not more accidents.

If I had my way I would get rid of traffic circles. Why? It is confusing to many people. Hence this creates a dangerous situation. Safety must always come first.

Always use your right turn signal when exiting a roundabout, even if you are going straight.

Last week I drove down a road I hadn’t driven on since last year and discovered a couple new traffic circles. Using them was SO much easier and safer for making left turns from a stop sign, with fast traffic coming from two directions without stopping.

[QUOTE=davem4616;1834055]maybe it's the name.....up north we called them 'rotaries', they were much bigger circles with nothing in the center obstructing views, much easier to navigate

but these 'roundabouts' in TV are nothing....if you really want a challenge....fly over to Ireland, where you drive on the opposite side of the road...there's more than a
few roundabouts over there that will test your driving skills...especially if you're driving a rental, using your left hand to operate the stick shift and have no clue where you're going...lol

we ended up going around more than a couple a few times...just for good measure

Same here! “Keep circling, I’ll check the map!” This was before GPS. Even worse was two lane roads more narrow than my tiny driveway with stone “walls” on one side and a cliff drop to the ocean on the other! ;-)

And use signals when exiting or staying In the center lane. This allows others to see your plans.

Everybody..
 

Ah, but the rest of the world DOES have problems with traffic circles, just like we do here. The "advice" in the OP is well stated: DON'T cross a solid line (but expect that others WILL do so,) and cross dashed lines with caution (but expect that others may be careless.) And YES - DO USE YOUR BLINKERS!

You are causing a problem if you are going to 3/4 of the way around the round about.

[QUOTE=JanetMM;1834079]Here is one for you. I used to drive around this quite often when I lived in Manila. It goes from 6 lane to 3 in the blink of an eye. Many Filipino drivers are under the impression that the lane lines are to be straddled.

https://i.imgur.com/XZyho4V.png

Rules for circles in Marion County are not the same as Sumter County. Know each counties rules.

If people are confused by roundabouts, they shouldn't be driving.

Round abouts? Ours are nothing compared to this one in England. Look very closely at it.

https://i.imgur.com/WFvDJFU.jpg

And using a signal when crossing the broken line is wise to do for the uneducated driver.

Thinking of starting a new business running a demolition derby.

So will get a bunch of older American drivers from here and bring them over to Ireland give them an old jalopy and off we go.

:bigbow::bigbow:

Wow do they station tow trucks to haul off the wrecks?

My approach to roundabouts is to let the car next to me go first while I slowly go round so that if he is cutting across he/she doesn't hit me. Works beautifully.

You are correct and that rule is key. Vehicles already occupying the roundabout have the right away over vehicles entering

You don't have the right to continue to the 3rd. exit in the outside lane. If you are in the outside lane you must leave the traffic circle no later than the 2nd exit.