[iandwk]

I am new to TV and am a mite confused about the traffic circles. What is the proper use of them? What lane should one be in? Who has the right of way? I have seen folks in the outside lane almost hit folks in the inside lane who were exiting the circle. Not being sure who would be blamed in an accident in one of the circles, I try to be super alert. I'd much rather go around again if I have to to in order to avoid being hit or hitting someone. I imagine it to be much more of an issue in the winter.

[Taj44]

Originally Posted by iandwk

I am new to TV and am a mite confused about the traffic circles. What is the proper use of them? What lane should one be in? Who has the right of way? I have seen folks in the outside lane almost hit folks in the inside lane who were exiting the circle. Not being sure who would be blamed in an accident in one of the circles, I try to be super alert. I'd much rather go around again if I have to to in order to avoid being hit or hitting someone. I imagine it to be much more of an issue in the winter.

You've got that right - with more people in the winter, especially seasonal types who aren't that familiar with the circles it gets to be a problem. The way the traffic circles work is this: if you are going straight or turning right - stay in the right lane. You also have the right of way to go straight if you are in the left lane (but you run the risk of being hit by people in the right lane who are there improperly). If you want to turn left i.e. go 270 degrees around the circle then exit,you must be in the left lane. The big thing to avoid is going 270 degrees around the circle in the right lane, because you will cut off the people in the left lane that are going straight. Think of the circle as a normal intersection. In a conventional intersection you wouldn't turn left from the right lane, so you don't do that in the circle either. Hope this helps.

[Bogie Shooter]

All of the above and yield upon entering. Assume the other driver doesn't know how to drive in a roundabout....give them plenty of room.

[ejp52]

http://sumtercountyfl.gov/DocumentView.aspx?DID=77

This video from Washington state was very helpful to me in understanding how to navigate the roundabouts: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/eesc/CAE/des.../mpg_index.htm

[swrinfla]

iandwk:

Ed (that is ejp52) is right. Best source.

Three key rules:

Always yield to traffic already in the circle.

Always watch out for the other guy whether he's in the circle with you or not, as he probably hasn't a clue!

Always signal your intentions.

SWR

[2Wheels]

Never go thru the circle next to another car (always stagger position), this leaves you room to maneuver and avoid crossover accidents. Most drivers "get it" but there are always a few that don't, so watch for them.

[NJblue]

I agree with all of the above. There are some who insist that they are in the right by staying in the outer loop regardless of where they are going. While they are in the wrong, it's best to keep an eye out for them and avoid them. Rule number one in a circle: never drive as if you have the right of way just because you do - the other guy may think he has the right of way.

[KayakerNC]

Originally Posted by Julie

This video from Washington state was very helpful to me in understanding how to navigate the roundabouts: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/eesc/CAE/des.../mpg_index.htm

Thanks for the great video.

[iandwk]

Originally Posted by ejp52

http://sumtercountyfl.gov/DocumentView.aspx?DID=77

I had read the brochure, but it seems to me that no one is following the rules. That's the reason I asked if there was a particular etiquette that has developed in TV, but I think it is pretty much that most of us are cautious because of the minority who think they own the road. I have NEVER seen a turn signal. I've been cut off when making a left from the inside lane while using a turn signal by people who are obviously going straight through the roundabout (bypassing the road that I was turning left on and exiting on the road I originally entered from). They were legally staying in the right lane to go straight and I was legally in the center lane turning left. Therein lies the problem. We were both in the correct lane for our intended turns and still almost collided. I yielded when I saw what he was going to do (he was behind me half a car length and I saw him in my right side mirror) and avoided an accident. I had my right turn signal on and felt that I was in the right of way. I started this post without thinking to search for others of a similar nature, and have since read the other threads. No one has mentioned this scenario. It is this situation that concerned me. I am not as concerned about right and wrong as I am about someone plowing into my wife's side of the car and injuring her.

[billethkid]

are of the mind set the right away is theirs to take. These drivers are complimented by those that pay no attention to rules of the road what so ever...and then there are the ever present ones who are in a hurry and drive far to fast for the roads and beyond their ability.

Having been hit twice here in TV....even with defensive driving...

then there is the group that just cannot see.....that is no exaggeration.

btk

[SABRMnLgs]

Just like when I learned to drive at age 16, I ALWAYS use my turn/directional signal when turning, entering or exiting from a road. I have noticed in the last 4-5 years it seems very few folks use this piece of equipment. Either in la-la land or out of town. It's the law and if I were a cop, the tickets I could write for this offense.
I also have seen people wait until they get to their turn nefore putting their signal on. The Florida Highway Traffic Handbook states, "You must turn on your direction signal approximately 500 feet prior to making your turn or entering, exiting a highway." That is such a joke in this state.

[Bob S]

Iandwk,
You have me confused. How can you make a left from the inside lane? You can only make a right from the circle.

If you were already in the inside lane intending to make a right, the outside lane vehicle should have not entered the circle. You have the right of way to exit right.

[NJblue]

Originally Posted by Bob S

Iandwk,
You have me confused. How can you make a left from the inside lane? You can only make a right from the circle.

If you were already in the inside lane intending to make a right, the outside lane vehicle should have not entered the circle. You have the right of way to exit right.

It took me awhile to figure this out as well. I think this would be an example of what he talks about:

Suppose Car A is going southbound on Morse and wants to take a left onto Odell Circle. Meanwhile Car B is heading northbound on Morse and wants to continue north on Morse.

Based on the rules, Car A should be on the inner part of the circle in order to progress 270 degrees to take the "left". However, car B has the option to be in either the inner or outer part of the circle since he wants to go straight through. In this case Car B chooses the outer lane.

We now have the situation where Car A is in the inner lane but must cross over the outer lane to make his turn onto Odell. If Car B does not yield sufficiently to Car A as Car A passes the northbound entrance to the circle, there will be insufficient spacing between the two cars when Car A has to cross over the outer lane to make his turn. Hence, it will appear as if Car A is cutting off Car B. In reality, Car B would be at fault since he did not properly yield to Car A. Car B should wait for Car A to completely pass him before he enters the circle.

[ABC]

Absolutely correct, Traffic Circles work perfectly as long as everyone respects "Right of Way" this means giving way to traffic already on the circle regardless of which lane they are in, just wait till they pass you before entering.

ABC