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.