[memason]

Reading this thread has been very interesting... My opinion is that the reason folks don't know the proper driving procedures for navigating a roundabout is because they were never taught how. Who was required to navigate through a roundabout, when they took their driving test? How many questions are on the drivers exam, concerning roundabouts or who might or might not have the right of way ?? Exactly...no one! But, how many know the rule for a 4-way stop ???

I was in England, just before the holidays. Just getting out of Heathrow, I probably drove through 8 to 10 roundabouts to get to the M25.... Oh, by the way, you enter on the left side and go around clockwise. Many have 5 to 6 exits and anywhere from 3 to 5 lanes of traffic and they are very busy. I must tell you, it's an exciting adventure, if you have not driven on the left side of the road for a while!

Someone commented that the arrows for both lanes indicate straight. That would be a huge problem in a roundabout and hence, people wouldn't necessarily know which lane to be in to exit. In all the roundabouts I have been in, in Europe, the outside land is always marked with a right turn arrow. If there are 2 lanes to exit to, then the next inner lane has a straight/right turn arrow. I cannot remember the lane markings in TV, since it's been a couple years since I was there. However, the lane markings could have a big impact on how people drive in the roundabouts... If nothing else, most people know which lane to be in, given the markings. We did learn that in Drivers Education... :-) I have to believe people would do the right thing, if they knew what that was. As for the people not yielding, looking, stopping, etc. they would do that no matter a roundabout, 4-way stop, traffic light, blinking light, whatever... Some people are just plain bad drivers.

I'm planning to be there within about a year, so I hope you guys get this figured out and fixed, before I get there...

Just my 2 cents on roundabouts and I love 'em. They kinda get my Mario Andretti blood flowing!

[F16 1UB]

memason,

I can't believe in your lifetime that drivers will figure out round-a-bouts in TV. They have a tough enough time going straight in 3 lanes.

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

What is different?

Notice the different marking on various rotaries in the Villages. They are different. Some direct you to stay on in inside lane, others direct you to exit immediately, others have broken lines indicating that you may pass.

The Washington State Video is for large circles where the traffic always exits at the first exit from the outside lane. Then the inside lane stays inside until the second exit or more.

Ours are different. This has been discussed here many times. Sheriff's officers have been quoted here as saying that the traffic patterns here are different.

[Dirigo]

Originally Posted by dominick

"Hinky" is a slang word to describe someone whose actions are nervously cautious, hesitant or reluctant.

hinky can also mean suspicious.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by Talk Host

Notice the different marking on various rotaries in the Villages. They are different. Some direct you to stay on in inside lane, others direct you to exit immediately, others have broken lines indicating that you may pass.

The Washington State Video is for large circles where the traffic always exits at the first exit from the outside lane. Then the inside lane stays inside until the second exit or more.

Ours are different. This has been discussed here many times. Sheriff's officers have been quoted here as saying that the traffic patterns here are different.

If you compare the traffic patterns in the video and the pamphlet posted on districtgov they are the same. So if the painted lines do not match the pamphlet how can the newbies get it right? I still belive, yield, right lane right turn and thru, left lane thru and left turn or u turn.....and you will never go wrong.

[uujudy]

Originally Posted by l2ridehd

Round about rules are really simple.

1. Always yield to cars already in the round about.
2. Going 90 degrees, always enter on the right and exit from the right.
3. Going 180 degrees, enter from either lane and exit from that same lane.
4. Going 270 degrees, always enter from the left and exit from the left.

If everyone followed those rules, there would be no accidents.

l2ridehd, I think you should make #1 Bold and Red, since it's the most important rule (imho). A visitor was complaining to me about always being cut off by other drivers in the roundabouts, and she said she really didn't understand how to prevent that from happening. From what I've learned from this forum, I told her that as long as she doesn't enter the roundabout when another car is coming, she'll be fine. She looked very shocked, and said, "You mean I have to wait until it's clear?"

[ceejay]

Originally Posted by rockaway

We have lived in TV for 5yrs. and have never seen the level of bad
and dangerous driving that is taking place this winter.
TV needs to do a better job of educating "birds" "renters" & new residents
on driving around here or someone is going to be killed.

I agree! I was driving home from work yesterday down O'Dell Circle...traffic was quite heavy due to the beautiful weather (FINALLY!). Golf carts here, joggers there, cars everywhere! Not one, not two, but THREE golf carts in less than a mile stretch literally darted out onto O'Dell from the side streets BETWEEN two cars. Had those cars NOT slammed on their brakes, those carts and their drivers would have been flat as pancakes!
Patience is a virtue...

[jkomoros]

I think the contractors in The Villages are a bigger problem than snow birds. Yesterday I was caught off by a pick-up pulling a large trailer like yard guys use. I was in the left lane going straight and he was in the right lane. He completely disregarded me, and because he was so long, he cut me off for several seconds. Not only are they disregarding the rules, but they are generally speeding.

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

If you compare the traffic patterns in the video and the pamphlet posted on districtgov they are the same. So if the painted lines do not match the pamphlet how can the newbies get it right? I still belive, yield, right lane right turn and thru, left lane thru and left turn or u turn.....and you will never go wrong.

Drive around the entire Villages and you will see that the lane markings are different in different circles. I've taken the time to do that. It's confusing.

[gary42651]

I grew up in Jersey and roundabouts where everywhere, but do to the increase in population and traffic, and with the amount of accidents, they are all being replaced with traffic lights. Its much safer.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by gary42651

I grew up in Jersey and roundabouts where everywhere, but do to the increase in population and traffic, and with the amount of accidents, they are all being replaced with traffic lights. Its much safer.

.....and time consuming and gas consuming and now opportunities for red light runners.

[RichieLion]

As a retired Tractor-trailer driver with over 40 years of experience driving in the congested Northest, my advice would be to go slow and assume the worst of the driver you are about to encounter. Rushing around just gets you in trouble and you save maybe 1 or 2 minutes? ...... maybe? Take it easy, and give way and live to drive another day.

[coffeebean]

My husband was in the left lane of the roundabout, preparing to make a left turn (using the 3rd exit from his entrance into the roundabout). Along came a car in the right lane proceeding around the roundabout in that lane. As my husband began to exit the roundabout in the left lane, the car in the right lane nearly collided with our car in the passenger side. I and my sister, in the back seat, saw what was happening and we screamed to alert my husband. He did avoid the accident but ever since then, I do not want to drive in the left lane of a round about, EVER. I feel I have more control and the ability to avoid any altercation by always driving in the right lane of the roundabouts. I drive slowly and with EXTREME caution as I have seen some close calls in those roundabouts.

[Pturner]

Hi Coffeebean,

I know what you mean about not wanting to use the right lane. Problem is, if I stay in the right lane 3/4 around the roundabout, I would be breaking the rule-- according the the TV roundabout brochure-- and could cause an accident myself.

To illustrate, lets call your husband Driver A and the driver with whom he nearly collided Driver B.

If I stay in the roundabout 3/4 around, and another driver-- lets call him Driver C-- lawfully exits from the left lane 1/2 way around, I could be doing to Driver C exactly what Driver B did to your husband.

I've read that roundabouts are safer. They do seem confusing though. Plus, if I understand Talk Host right, not all the roundabouts in TV even work this way.

I wonder what percentage of accidents in TV happen in roundabouts. Now that would be some meaningful news reporting. Yikes, better not start down that road again (so to speak).

[chuckinca]

Roundabouts are a no win situation . . . you're damned if you do it right and you're damned if you do it wrong!

Where else do make a right turn from the left lane (and hope that the guy in the right lane is turning right just before you do).


.