Originally Posted by Villagerjjm (Post 1571657)

The .pdf brochure covers almost all of the "etiquette" of the traffic circles except for one point that needs a lot more emphasis: USE YOUR SIGNALS !!!!

Originally Posted by j_vermilya (Post 1617343)

It would help if everyone would just follow one simple rule, NEVER change lanes in a roundabout, yes, even when you are thinking it will help you line up better to the resident gate. NEVER do this. NEVER

Originally Posted by Jazuela (Post 1617528)

This is illogical. If it's a two-lane circle with arms coming and exiting off in all 4 directions, then the only way you can get from the inside lane to any of the arms is to cross into the outside lane.

That means - quite literally - changing lanes. Even if it's for just a split second, you are, by definition, changing lanes the moment you move from your inner lane onto one of the exit arms.

Going south to north on an inside lane. You're going just fine. But then someone who is coming in from the east, and heading west, on the OUTside lane..which he has the right to do - will be already in his own lane when you are trying to cross that lane onto the northern exit.

Regardless of "who has the right of way" this makes for awkward driving. In addition, it requires that the person on the inside lane - change lanes - in order to get out of the circle.

If you didn't change lanes you would just continue around the circle and never leave it. You're also crossing the outside lane while in the process of entering the circle, to get into the inside lane.

Originally Posted by kappy (Post 1492850)

If you look at the roundabout brochure, it specifically states that you should “Never change lanes in a roundabout”. This means that if you are going 3/4 around, you should enter a gate in the visitors lane. The statement is written in red on the brochure. If you follow the lines that show a left hand turn, (3/4 around), you’ll see the line going into the visitors’ gate.

Originally Posted by CFrance (Post 1493049)

We go round-a-bout on this issue every year.

I still say, you cannot be in the left lane and get to either of the entrances without crossing over the right lane. I think the statement means not to change lanes while driving inside of the roundabout. Once you're in whatever lane you entered in, stay there till you exit. Obviously, you have to cross over the outside lane from the inside lane in order to exit the roundabout. Both visitor's and residents' gates are on the right.

Originally Posted by Jazuela (Post 1617528)

This is illogical. If it's a two-lane circle with arms coming and exiting off in all 4 directions, then the only way you can get from the inside lane to any of the arms is to cross into the outside lane.

That means - quite literally - changing lanes. Even if it's for just a split second, you are, by definition, changing lanes the moment you move from your inner lane onto one of the exit arms.

Going south to north on an inside lane. You're going just fine. But then someone who is coming in from the east, and heading west, on the OUTside lane..which he has the right to do - will be already in his own lane when you are trying to cross that lane onto the northern exit.

Regardless of "who has the right of way" this makes for awkward driving. In addition, it requires that the person on the inside lane - change lanes - in order to get out of the circle.

If you didn't change lanes you would just continue around the circle and never leave it. You're also crossing the outside lane while in the process of entering the circle, to get into the inside lane.

Originally Posted by CFrance (Post 1508120)

I may be putting too fine a point on it, but if you are in the inside lane, there is no way you can enter either gate, resident or visitor, without driving over the outside lane.

Originally Posted by Amb3rTastic (Post 1508129)

ALWAYS check your blind spots!!!!

Originally Posted by bikeman (Post 1195546)

This SUV tried to run over one of our cyclist the other day. Going north on Buena Vista by the Savannah center round about, our group after stopping to let other cars clear, started north again. That is when this SUV came up from behind us in the left lane and crossed in front of our lane to turn right on El Camino Real just missing the lead rider by inches, and mean inches. Had he not turned his from wheel to the right just a little, he would have been hit. No telling what injuries might have occurred if the contact had happened. Fortunately, the last cyclist had a camera going and we were able to get the license number. We called the Sumter County police, and officer Wills, to report the incident. We were not looking to ticket the driver, but to let him/her know that crossing two lanes at a high rate of speed is jeopardizing the safety, and maybe the life of these cyclist. The officer refused to help even after giving him the license number. I wonder if the same officer would have shown any interest if this SUV had collided with the bicycle? I guess someone has to be injured before this officer would help with the situation. If you know this person, please notify them that what they did was totally wrong, and could have cost someone their life just to make the turn 5 seconds earlier. They never stopped, or even acknowledged any wrong doing. Even after giving the Sumter County officer the license number he refused to do anything telling me that Florida license plates has 6 numbers/letters not 5. I know that vanity plates in Florida can have less than 6. I am not sure why he chose not to pursue this problem, or at least make a call telling them they are now being watched and should be more considerate of cyclist. Here is a picture of the SUV. Please let me know if you know this person. License # SJE IT
Thanks for caring,
Attachment 58250

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter (Post 1651694)

I assume you late posters to this thread (Feb '19) read the previous 132 posts, to be sure of your position………
.:a040:

Originally Posted by l2ridehd (Post 1651684)

I honest and truly do not get why this is so hard. It's just a traffic light replacement. If in doubt look at the green signs before every circle to see how the traffic flow should go. They all have them. Yield always to traffic in the circle.

A roundabout is nothing but a traffic light replacement. Treat it that way. If turning right enter on the right. If turning left enter on the left. If going straight through use either lane. So simple.

If you were coming south on Morse and hit the light at 466. Would you stay in the right lane to make a left hand turn? That is what your doing if you go 3/4 the way around a circle in the right hand lane.

Would you enter the traffic light intersection on a red light? Would you enter if another car was in the intersection? That is what your doing if you don't yield to both lanes for cars already in the circle.

It's a traffic light replacement, treat it that way and everything works. And we will all be safe.

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter (Post 1651694)

I assume you late posters to this thread (Feb '19) read the previous 132 posts, to be sure of your position………
.:a040:

Originally Posted by j_vermilya (Post 1657974)

I repeat, one simple request, you are to never change lanes in a roundabout. Every day, people in the inside lane move to the outside lane as they are getting ready to exit, I guess because often the resident lane for the gates is on the right? NEVER change lanes in a roundabout

Originally Posted by Jazuela (Post 1658001)

In order to exit, you have to cross the outermost lane. That lane continues around the circle and the only way out of the circle is to turn RIGHT. Turning right, in order to get to the exit, no matter which gate you go through (and even if there is no gate on the other side), requires that your vehicle turns onto the outermost lane on your way out of the circle.

This is simple science and math. It's basic geometry. It is also why people get annoyed when someone says "don't ever move to the outermost lane." You have to, or you'd continue going around in circles forever. That is the nature of a circle.

Originally Posted by Jazuela (Post 1658001)

In order to exit, you have to cross the outermost lane. That lane continues around the circle and the only way out of the circle is to turn RIGHT. Turning right, in order to get to the exit, no matter which gate you go through (and even if there is no gate on the other side), requires that your vehicle turns onto the outermost lane on your way out of the circle.

This is simple science and math. It's basic geometry. It is also why people get annoyed when someone says "don't ever move to the outermost lane." You have to, or you'd continue going around in circles forever. That is the nature of a circle.

Originally Posted by Marathon Man (Post 1658249)

You are mis-understanding the post that you were replying to. Many drivers will move from the inside lane to the ouside lane BEFORE reaching the exit lanes. They do this because they feel that they must line up to the exit lane leading to the 'resident' gate. It is truly a lane change and not crossing the lane. They are in the inside lane and end up taking the right hand exit. Not good, but all to common.

Originally Posted by Polar Bear (Post 1195558)

If there had been a collision, the officer would have had something to investigate.

Originally Posted by Two Bills (Post 1853075)

You should not enter roundabout until both lanes to left are clear.
The other driver on inside lane should have exited into the visitors lane before crossing to resident lane.
But you should not have entered before he passed anyway.
Two No No's