Traffic Circle Speed Limits
 

Perhaps this has been covered (probably many times), but I didn't find it.

As one approaches most traffic circles, there is usually a traffic sign with a yellow diamond containing a traffic circle indicator above a typical speed limit sign, indicating a speed limit of 20 miles per hour.

It seems that most people loosely interpret those signs to mean the speed limit within the traffic circle is 20 mph.

Another interpretation might be that the speed limit sign is indeed a "normal" speed limit sign. By normal, I mean that it indicates the start of a new speed limit. In this case, the speed limit changes at the sign from 35 mph to 20 mph. That means that once the sign is passed the speed limit is immediately 20 mph, not only within the traffic circle, but also on the approach to the traffic circle at any point past the sign. That further implies that one must be doing no more than 20 mph when the speed limit sign is passed until another speed limit sign changes the speed limit again.

My observations suggest that no one, except me, has ever considered the latter interpretation, and many drivers barely make it into the 20s as they enter the traffic circle, with others never slowing down at all.

I realize this is a question for law enforcement, but I'm curious whether anyone else has wondered about this.

Gil Chapin

Per Ai below. Having said that have you ever wondered why there is always that semi truck that overturns on a curve with a suggested yellow speed sign all around the curve?
“A yellow speed limit sign indicates an advisory speed, meaning it's a suggested safe speed for a specific condition, not a legally enforceable speed limit. These signs are typically used to warn drivers of hazards like curves, construction zones, or areas with reduced visibility. While not a legal requirement, exceeding the advisory speed and causing an accident could lead to liability for the driver.”

The speed limit sign is standard black and white. The yellow sign is a warning that the circle is ahead.

The question is whether the combination indicates the speed limit is 20mph only within the circle or whether it becomes 20mph at the sign? I haven’t really worried about it.

Who cares??? You are merely asking how quickly or how far in advance one must slow down. I doubt anyone is going 35 right up to the point of entering the RB anyway.

I wonder if the rain will stop by 7PM:duck:

Frequently Asked Questions Frequently Asked Questions


This kind of addresses this .

If not the limit should be around 10 mph.

Happens often. Yesterday, nearing a RB in right lane at 35, a car sped around me at high (45-50?), cut in front of me in the right lane. No sign of slowing, braking pushing in ahead of car coming around. He went straight ahead into the center lane, then cut back to the right lane to exit. Basically "straighten out the curve" of the traffic circle. These are community streets and roads, not race courses.
One incident I know, but we see idiots behind the wheel every time we go out. Can't wait for ai/robot chauffeur where every cyberdriver has the same safe view of every situation.

If you drive the traffic circles at 10 mph then you are part of the problem not part of the solution. I try to get in and out of a roundabout as quickly as possible driving as close to 20 mph as possible. Also , all the turn signals being used improperly in the traffic circles is overwhelming. If you are in the proper lane for your exit there is no need for the use of blinkers. If you trust someone’s turn signal in a roundabout you’re rolling the dice!

Having been a deputy sheriff, I can say that, in Arkansas at least (where I was a LEO), the speed limit is in effect at the sign. I've known other LEOs who were sticklers for this (running up their ticket score) and others who were a lot more lenient and let you coast down to the limit once you passed the sign as long as it was safe.

Traffic circles have speed limits? I’m a whole lot more worried about those that change lanes while IN the circle. Twice recently other cars not staying in their lane and trying to take me out while in the circle. Meaning, them changing lanes while in the circle. A clear violation, where is Popo when you need them?

I believe the 20mph is for the roundabout, because there is no speed limit sign when exiting the roundabout indicating that you can resume 35mph.

According to the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD), which has been adopted by all 50 states, speed limit signs are to be rectangular in shape, with black markings on a white background. These are the only "speed limit" signs that are enforceable. Any other sign relating to speed, yellow for example, are advisory only and cannot be enforced as a violation.

How about 5?? How about 2???? How about you have to get out of your car and push it around the RB????? :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

No surprise. Remember, whatever rule you make, reasonable or ridiculous, or sign that is put up, there will always be idiots doing something stupid

He was traffic violator and should got ticket…. Yep, hardly nobody get traffic violation in villages that’s why the violators drive like Indy car drivers.

I like the ones that stop before entering roundabout with NO traffic in sight looking to left. These are probably same ones that don’t stop at stop signs or pull put into intersection before A driver only has to yield to all traffic coming around roundabout not stop then look, should have been looking before you get there. Then there ones that stay in right lane going to 3rd exit total idiots looking to get hit or cause accident.

No, my interpretation slow down approaching roundabout, 20 MPH maximum in roundabout, and resume speed limit after roundabout unless otherwise posted.

Wow
 

And I thought no one saw me..

People actually worry about roundabout speed limits? Just move and get outta there! Don’t overthink it.

I care
 

I live in St John. When approaching the okahumka RB from the north and taking the third exit to the Okuhumka gate, cars approaching the RB from the south are traveling at high speeds exceeding 50.

Who has the right of way sir?
Is the approaching and speeding vehicle or the vehicle in the RB? I have had to stop for these jerks playing chicken. In the last month there have been two accidents at the exit from this RB. So I care about speeding traffic approaching the RBS.

And if the Costco will open soon.

RESPECTFULLY
I disagree with slowing
down to 20 mph at the sign.

the MUTCD, FDOT and IMSA classify this Yellow Background w Black Lettering Diamond shaped type of SIGN as “Advisory”, aka: a Warning to Traffic Conditions the motorist is Approaching, and …

… the Fact that there is a diagram of a Roundabout above the [advised] speed limit provides the reason for this posted sign.

this is NOT an opinion:
Presently Employed as

Transportation Engineering Technician Class II
City of Ocala Engineer’s Office
w “IMSA Traffic and Signage” Certification

As the officer said to me as he was handing me my ticket, “you can’t go through the door until you open it.” In other words the speed limit starts at the sign.

Roundabouts
 

There is nothing wrong with roundabouts, the problem is too many people not knowing how to drive in them. Making a right turn into a village from the left lane and cutting in front of someone in the right lane is totally unacceptable.

I see this all the time. People driving in the center (using both lanes) around the roundabout to "straighten " it. Very dangerous. I dont get the hurry. Meggison road over near Lake Okahumpka seems to be a fun "challenge " for many...they try to see how fast they can go around the curves. I've seen people go at least 70. Im a sure one day we will see someone lose control and land on the golfcart path. Never seen a cop on that road and I travel it everyday.

My Vehicle reads the warning signs and start to slow down. Once the white speed limit is in view slows down to posted speed limit. Excellent feature for School zones.

What is your “NOT an opinion” of the situation we have where the speed limit sign is black and white?

Haven’t worried about it but believe your interpretation of it is wrong. Within the traffic circle the speed limit is 20 mph and then back to the speed limit on the street which is 35 mph.

Circles are inside out. Assuming a two land circle, the inside land, number 1 lane, gets the right of way. It must be this way, else the car in lane 1 may be stuck in that lane for a long time if there is traffic.
The outside land, number 2 lane, must yield to lane 1 but has the right of way over traffic outside the circle.
Lastly, outside the circle must yield to both lanes inside the circle. In that way, it is like an on-ramp for a highway.

The dotted lines in the circle show where lane 1 can exit, crossing over lane 2. All lanes should signal their exists, like on all other parts of the road, but it is especially important when there are cars in the other lanes and/or waiting to enter.

No you have not. Cars in the Tour de France take corners at an average speed of 25 mph, and they are designed for cornering.
70 mph is a ridiculous speed to claim. 40 maybe, if the care is designed with little or no lean like a Mini Cooper, but absolutely not 70.

You are right to be concerned! Speeders, tailgaters, and others seem to like showing off their idiocy and lack of consideration or respect for others by trying to intimidate others. They intentionally put others at risk, often for their very lives.

Yes, serious individuals do realize that the 20 mph caution is there because that is what is recommended safe speed is for the average car/driver under optimum conditions. Just like posted speed limits are for average car/driver under optimum condition. You can go slower for safety under less than good conditions (darkness, fog, rain, snow, etc.)! But, only authorized emergency responders (police, fire/rescue, ambulance) may exceed the posted legal speed limit in performance of their duties. Driving is potentially deadly. Don't under think it!

Sadly, most don't have that feature.

Many traffic rules are simply "unenforceable"
 

Many speed signs seem to be "suggestions". What I am concerned about is the level of traffic noise which has been amplified by the reduction of natural sound barriers such as trees which have been cleared. But more importantly, there are folks with cars that have added exhaust sound enhancers, exhaust sound roarers, exhaust sound speakers for the individual that wants to sound like they are at NASCAR. I don't understand why we need mufflers with all these accessories of noise. It is disenchanting that this goes unchallenged because I have noticed several cars just cruising with these accessories. Florida mufflers are suppose to be around 68 decibels but this exceeds this as well. And I would imagine no one is interested in enforcing this.

I'm confused also???

I think people stay in the right lane (instead of using the left lane when entering a RB and planning to exit at the 3rd exit) because people complain when a car crosses in front of them from them to exit at the 3rd exit.

One of our car's features is that it recognizes speed limit signs and automatically adjusts the car's speed. It automatically slows to 20 when it passes that sign and increases when it passes the speed limit sign after exiting the RB.

Now that’s one feature I *really* don’t like…. ever since the time I was driving on the highway at 60mph and it picked up the 20mph sign on the frontage road. That was not fun.

Yes, the yellow sign is "warning" that you are approaching a RB. The black on white rectangular speed limit sign is just that---an official and legal speed limit, which technically begins at the sign. And that is not "an opinion", that is the law. And I am not certified in "IMSA Traffic and Signage". Would you have felt better if they didn't put the two signs on the same pole but different ones?