Lane "surfing" in roundabouts
 

I've noticed quite a few drivers making multiple lane changes within a roundabout. Wonder why they do this, as it can be pretty dangerous, particularly if they aren't the only vehicles in the roundabout. The situation I am writing about is when a driver enters the roundabout from the right or left lane, immediately changes lanes within the roundabout, then changes lanes again as he exits that roundabout. Of course, there are no turn signals evident during any of these lane changes.

Because they are stupid............

Here we go again:Screen_of_Death:

Cannot have a roundabout discussion without me. OK, I'm done.

They obviously do not know how to navigate a roundabout.

:popcorn::popcorn::popcorn:

Is this a rhetorical question?? Can't answer it as we don't know what the persons are thinking!!! Remember we're in "high season"...LOTS of new folks here or ones unfamiliar with the roundabouts! Just drive defensively!

I didn't pose it as a question. However, it can certainly be viewed as rhetorical, anyway. Unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be limited to high season, albeit there is more of it now, simply do to higher volume. We all need to drive defensively, everywhere!

It sounds like the driver was just too lazy to turn the wheel a little more and crossed lanes rather than changing lanes.

Round About Lane Changes
 

We've seen some really close calls while drivers have been trying to exit the roundabouts. You really have to pay attention as some people just "don't get it" and sometimes just don't seem to care. I value my health/life and the appearance of my car (i.e., no dings!).

Remember when exiting 3/4 of the way around, you're to be in the left-lane and crossing the right lane. Doesn't make sense to me...but have been told that's the way to do it. The traffic in the right lane will be cited "IF" they t-bone you at this time of exiting! That's why one checks their blind spots for cars!

The sheriff could cure all the driving problems in 2 weeks. Just write some tickets and people start to pay attention.

One thing is for sure, TV needs to train & regularly review the basic roundabout rules with their own employees. When we were there for a LSV in December BOTH our trolley bus driver AND our sales rep were all over the roundabouts changing lanes willy-nilly like they owned them. I couldn't believe it!

But of course, I already knew the rules thanks to reading the numerous threads on roundabouts by the fine folks here at TOTV. You all are the greatest!

Rroundabouts do need careful navigation but I see nothing wrong with crossing the lanes if there are no other cards around you or coming into the roundabout. I do it but never when other cars are present. Just makes sense and there are dashed lines that mean you can cross lanes.

I learned if going straight always move to the right lane until round, if not your chances of getting into trouble increases 10 fold.

Traffic circle 101
 

First, have a grandchild explain the diagram on the green sign that is just before every round a bout.
Second, if turning left use the left lane, if turning right use the right lane, if going straight use either lane.
Pretty simple, they are no different than any intersection that has two lanes going in each direction.

Yes!!! Fantastic and totally accurate description of how roundabouts should work. I don't know why people can't grasp the concept - it really is no different than any other intersection, except its in the shape of a circle instead of a square.

Round about lane changes
 

I guess you are talking about people like me. When we are going more than one exit we get in the left lane and then get off at the appropriate exit. WE NEVER CROSS THE SOLID WHITE LINES which is what people are doing when they ride the whole way around in the right lane of a round about.

I thought this thread would end early, since we covered this all before. Boy was I wrong.:popcorn:

I think speed is a factor, they drift lane to lane.

I disagree completely, if your in the left lane trying to go straight some dummy will turn left and cut U off or hit you.

Agree that's the way it is designed to work, but tooooo many don't get it.

they must be from new jersey, home of the traffic circle. if you have never driven in new jersey and navigated one of the traffic circles you are in for a treat. the objective is to merge right into the circle(no yielding allowed), change lanes as often as you deem necessary, and exit as fast as you can.....and all of this is done without using turn signals or mirrors....just swivel your head around as much as your neck muscles allow! and it also is an added treat in that you can curse as much as you can and use all sorts of gestures. it also helps if you have your music turned up and the bass is a-thumping loudly!

Yes, that's the way to do it.

Reminds me of the old Freehold circle of yore. Alas, they got tired of all the excitement it caused and it is now no more.:clap2:

I always make sure I am staggering any car that is in the RAB with me. This way there is no possibility of a T-bone accident.

Also...I have the mirrors set on my car so I have no blind spots at all. (Watched a video on YouTube which explained how to do it) I've been using this method for nearly two years now and having no blind spots in a car is like having eyes in the back of my head.

If one could peak at the speedometer of the multiple lane changers, you'd have the answer; you can't remain in the same lane in a roundabout if you're going 35 mph.

Ahh, I hadn't thought of that one!

It's just about impossible to take a rab at 35mph unless you have a very nice sports car.

I agree. Also, I do think drivers have a tendency to "straighten out" a curved road.

Like a Miata :coolsmiley:

These circles are to small to be used the right way. There is suppose to be some lane changing when navigating them but the diameter is to small and not enough lanes. Drive up in Mass and some are a eight of a mile circumference. But just watch out.

Drivers
 

Everybody out of my way. "I pay my taxes and will drive where and how I want to drive" Don't worry the cops are chasing the speeding golf carts.:boxing2:

I agree with others who have said on this same subject, one lane RABs in TV would be the answer. No chance for T-bone accidents and the RABs would be safer to navigate. Everyone takes their turn entering and exiting would be a breeze because there would be no other cars to deal with.

The argument for one lane only RABs is that would slow the traffic in heavily traveled areas. Personally, I would rather deal with the additional wait time to enter a RAB than to have accidents happen because folks are unaware of how to navigate the RABs.

We would not get anywhere during the winter with 1 lane rabs. Personally, I don't see the rabs as the issue but rather the people using them. The rabs work well but too many people are distracted while driving or don't care or don't take the time to learn. Like someone else said, you can't fix stupid.

My biggest issue with stupid drivers is the Morse and Stillwater rab and the bypass on Morse right before the bridge. People coming up Stillwater want to take the bypass right after the rab so they stay in the right lane of the rab and go 3/4 of the way around. That makes it very difficult for a smart driver navigating the rab properly to use the bypass.

I know what you're talking about at that spot. Of course, the effected drivers could simply stay in the left lane which also would take them across the bridge (albeit without the bypass). Some drivers drive like they think that if they can't get into that bypass that they are doomed to a fate worse than death.

OK, let's assume we have one lane roundabouts. You would either have to create a merge situation on roads to reduce the traffic to one lane entering the roundabout. Now try to get onto Morse from Stillwater, or Odell, during the high season. It's bad enough with two lane roundabouts. You say that you wouldn't mind extra wait time entering the roundabout, but that supposes you are already on the main road. For people entering from a secondary road, it will become next to impossible to enter which will affect even getting out of your neighborhood side streets. Now, what are the paramedics going to do with traffic backed up like that?

Or, instead of a merge on Morse (or Buena Vista) you have two lanes of traffic entering the one lane roundabout. Who goes first, left lane of right lane? Or do they get out of their cars and duke it out? And, with the high flow of traffic in the one lane roundabout, when do they even get a chance to enter?

The roundabouts are here to stay as they are presently constructed. The design was a requirement in order to build TV as it is. All studies have shown roundabouts to be safer than regular intersections. The problem isn't the roundabout, or its design, its the people who can't seem to understand the signs or just don't care.

Why should an affected driver have to compensate for an inconsiderate driver? That's part of the problem with this country, we're always compensating for idiots and they don't learn or care. People need to FOLLOW THE RULES! I refuse to compensate but I will take evasive action if necessary to avoid an accident.
There's a funny word "accident"

Yup...guilty as charged. I much prefer using a bypass as they are few and far between here in TV. If it is there, I MUST use it.

Agree there would have to be a merge to go to one lane and that did cross my mind before you mentioned it here. Also, I thought about two lanes approaching a one lane RAB....treat it as a four way stop sign or a flashing red light as each lane would take their turn. Right lane enters, then left lane enters, then right lane enters etc., etc. I honestly do not think the back up of cars would be that bad if every driver honored that practice.

I was not aware that these RABs are here to stay as they are constructed and this was a requirement of TV. If that is the case, then the discussion of one lane RABs is futile. It was just a thought.

I've noticed that if 2 cars enter the RAB at the same time, one in each lane, they wind up automatically staggered. Seems to work fine.