[USOTR]

The round abouts would be a whole lot safter if patrons would remember the speed limit is 20 mph and as you stated USE turn signals.

[rsmurano]

I can’t believe we are trying to justify making the 1st exit from the left lane. That is against the law and you can’t justify doing the wrong thing by putting on a turn signal. If I’m in the right lane, I can take the 2nd exit and if you want to turn into me, I will make sure your insurance company buys me a new car for ignoring traffic laws that are spelled out on a sign before each roundabout.
You will not be trying to fix my car, you will be buying me a new car. So if you can’t learn traffic laws and how to correctly navigate a roundabout, maybe you shouldn’t be driving.

[kayak]

Unbelievable, so much OPINION about roundabouts. Opinions do not matter. Find out how it works and then travel legally in and through the roundabout.
It is illegal to change lanes in a roundabout. Period.
It is a major revelation to some people that the left lane is an exit lane. Amazing how often someone gets mad at someone because they exited from the left lane.
If you think you have to change to the right lane to exit you are wrong.
If you think you can get in the right lane and go to the third and fourth exits you are wrong.
If you think you can get in the left lane and take the first exit you are wrong.
It does not matter what your opinion or rationalization is. Legal is legal and illegal is illegal. Learn how it works.

[Janie123]

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

She wasn't exiting at the gate exit. She was exiting onto El Camino Real. She had come FROM the gate, gone around. I was entering from the opposite direction, at 441. I was going around 2 exits, she was going around 3 exits. I saw her coming when she had just passed Paige Place, and she was in the inside lane. I was heading around from the outside lane, and knew there would be plenty of room, and time, for both of us to do our thing.

But as I was in the process of entering the roundabout, SHE cut over to MY lane, while she was still circling the roundabout. Which is something you're not supposed to do.

Even if she was going through the gate - the INSIDE gate is the visitor's gate - and the gate guy doesn't check to see if you're a resident or guest, he just opens the gate to let you through. So it wouldn't matter if she was headed all the way around (effectively performing a U-turn). She was in the inside lane, she should've stayed in it.

Sounds like she did not yield to you as she was chaining lanes but you too were crossing a dotted line and were in the wrong as well.

Google Maps

[Janie123]

Originally Posted by kayak

Unbelievable, so much OPINION about roundabouts. Opinions do not matter. Find out how it works and then travel legally in and through the roundabout.
It is illegal to change lanes in a roundabout. Period.
It is a major revelation to some people that the left lane is an exit lane. Amazing how often someone gets mad at someone because they exited from the left lane.
If you think you have to change to the right lane to exit you are wrong.
If you think you can get in the right lane and go to the third and fourth exits you are wrong.
If you think you can get in the left lane and take the first exit you are wrong.
It does not matter what your opinion or rationalization is. Legal is legal and illegal is illegal. Learn how it works.

Wrong.. it is legal to change lanes as long as the lines are dotted and use your signal. There are many times you enter in the left lane from a 4 lane road and need to exit to a single lane. Do not cross solid white lines.

[jimmy o]

Originally Posted by Amylag

I would like to put it out there to folks that are in the far-left lane coming into the roundabout and then decide to get off in that same left lane crossing over the right lane traffic that a directional WOULD BE HELPFUL!!!!!!! As a matter of fact, a DIRECTIONAL WOULD ALWAYS BE HELPFUL.

It’s not that they decide to exit from that lane, it’s the correct and lawful way to do it. But I agree they should use their turn signal.

[opinionist]

The inner lane seems like an accident waiting to happen.
I always leave space in front of me for someone to cut in front to exit.
I am amazed that on a road like 441, people will cut across multiple lanes all at once to barely make an exit.

[Sully2023]

Originally Posted by Amylag

I would like to put it out there to folks that are in the far-left lane coming into the roundabout and then decide to get off in that same left lane crossing over the right lane traffic that a directional WOULD BE HELPFUL!!!!!!! As a matter of fact, a DIRECTIONAL WOULD ALWAYS BE HELPFUL.

I believe I understand what you are talking about. Directional arrows should be used (painted on the road) in the roundabouts at each opportunity for the driver to exit the roundabouts for both lanes showing what actions the driver can take when inside the roundabout. It would be very helpful. Most people do not see the small green signs before entering the roundabouts as to what actions you can take before entering the roundabouts.

It was not until I watched a Randy Nelson utube video on line that it made sense to me.

I am always extra cautious when entering and exiting the roundabouts. I’ve been cut off several times from drivers turning off when they should not be turning.

[jimmy o]

Originally Posted by Janie123

Wrong.. it is legal to change lanes as long as the lines are dotted and use your signal. There are many times you enter in the left lane from a 4 lane road and need to exit to a single lane. Do not cross solid white lines.

Janie you need to take the Roundabout class. You never change lanes in a roundabout. The dotted lines are for the person entering from the right lane in case they’re going straight to second exit. Number ONE rule of roundabouts, Do Not Change Lanes.

[defrey12]

Originally Posted by gorillarick

I think the opposite is even worse, you're in the right lane and you cut in front of me (in the left) to go left.

Several close calls in both situations. Plan Ahead !
You could also look before you turn your wheel.

THERE’S A SIGN PRIOR TO ENTERING EVERY ROUNDABOUT. IT TELLS YOU WHICH LANE TO BE IN! READ IT PRIOR TO ENTERING THE CIRCLE. Think of a “circle” as a four-way intersection, because IT IS! You DO NOT turn left from the right lane, nor do you turn right from the left lane when traversing a “circle”. PERIOD. NOR should you change lanes abruptly in a circle—go around again. It’s a circle.

[mike234]

Originally Posted by Amylag

I would like to put it out there to folks that are in the far-left lane coming into the roundabout and then decide to get off in that same left lane crossing over the right lane traffic that a directional WOULD BE HELPFUL!!!!!!! As a matter of fact, a DIRECTIONAL WOULD ALWAYS BE HELPFUL.

if you want to ride through a rotary, 2 abreast, good luck...you are doomed....

[Miboater]

I used to have to go to England for work so I'm very familiar how to drive in roundabouts. One of my first experiences in a roundabout here was I was in the left lane and a little old lady was in the right lane. She was a little ahead of me coming up to a roundabout and instead of staying to the right she cut across to the left lane almost taking out my right fender and proceeded back to the right lane seemingly to avoid making turns. When I beeped my horn when she almost hit me a little middle finger comes out the her window. I knew then I wasn't driving in England anymore and have been very cautious ever since.

[srswans]

No. You were wrong to enter the roundabout. The main rule in roundabouts is to yield to traffic already present.

Originally Posted by OrangeBlossomBaby

Yesterday I drove across 441 to the roundabout at El Camino Real,…

I got into the roundabout while someone on my left IN the roundabout was starting their approach toward my location, and they were in the inner "left" lane. They tried to go into MY lane -…

[srswans]

Directionals are confusing on straight roads with simple left/right turns. Relying on someone’s directional, or lack thereof, to decide when to enter a roundabout is risky.

Simply yield to traffic already present and skip the optimizations.

Originally Posted by Amylag

I would like to put it out there to folks that are in the far-left lane coming into the roundabout and then decide to get off in that same left lane crossing over the right lane traffic that a directional WOULD BE HELPFUL!!!!!!! As a matter of fact, a DIRECTIONAL WOULD ALWAYS BE HELPFUL.

[srswans]

Nicely stated! If you change lanes, in the dashed portion, after clearing #2, then it is more obvious to waiting cars that you are exiting at #3.

Changing lanes lets you get into the resident gate in many roundabouts. Our resident gate has a lower red button than the visitor gate and it is easier to reach.

(Also, the visitors gate can be backed up with traffic.)

After reading this thread, I will also try signaling after clearing #2 to see if that stops waiting cars from cutting in front of me.

Originally Posted by fdpaq0580

#2 sounds very simple. But, is it?
You approach the RB from the inside (#1) lane intending to exit at exit 3. Passing exit/entrance 1 you travel in the center (#1) lane.
As you approach exit 2, you have options. Go straight ahead, which requires you to enter lane 2 to cross to your exit.
At this point I feel it is important to state that all entrances and exits must spend some time in the outer lane of the RB.
So, central lane (#1) decides to continue to exit 3. You can continue in the center lane. But if you continue as if you were going straight ahead, you will notice that you cross a broken line going into the outer lane. Once in the outer lane, you will notice that there is now a broken line on your left. A broken line can be crossed, so can't you make your lane change at that point? After all, there should be no traffic trying to pass on your right as going straight at exit 2 is one of your options.
Seems actually a better option than trying to cross 2 lanes at once at exit 3, as I often see cars approaching from lane 2, pushing in expecting center lane traffic to continue in the center going around.
Just a different point of view.