PLEASE. READ this and PRINT this.

Do I sense an increased level of frustration?:eek:

:wave::loco::confused:;) !!!

Try this. May have to cut an paste.
http://www.districtgov.org/PdfView/P...daboutBrochure - FINAL070908.pdf'&ql=standard

Try cut and paste.

Choosing the wrong lane to enter the roundabout is not what’s causing the majority of the accidents. It’s failure to yield until both lanes are free that’s causing most of them.

And why is that? Because it’s counterintuitive to what you’ve been doing all your life. Think about it. When you’re heading home from work in heavy traffic and you’re entering the highway on an entrance ramp., do you wait until both lanes are free or just the right hand lane?

Nuff said?

You are right. Probably why there are Yield signs when approching the roundabout......if only everyone could read.

Thanks Bogie, It takes me to the VCDD page but there is nothing on it. So.... If I go to the home page where do I go from there?

ummmm Wait... maybe I should rephrase that!

What link do I click on?

But there are usually yield signs on the highway entrance ramps too. Sign or no sign, the errant drivers really believe they are doing the right thing when they wait for the right lane to be free without regard for the vehicles in the inner left lane. IMHO, those of you that try to simplify the problem by saying “just treat it like an intersection” are missing the point.

Just saying.

http://www.districtgov.org/

scroll down to Sumter County roundabout brochure...click

Here's a good link for the roundabout brochure:

http://www.districtgov.org/PdfView/P...27&ql=standard

Bill :)

Did you not realize that turn signals on auto sold in Florida are optional equipment. :a20:

Why are there 2 lanes in the roundabouts? Had a person in the center lane cut me off to make the right turn onto Morse. I expected it so avoided an accident.

IMHO one lane would be sufficent to keep moving until the desired path is reached......

Hedoman, If you are in the right lane unless you are exiting at the first exit past your entry point you are technically making a left turn and the car in the center lane has the right of way. The best strategy is to try to stagger your car going around.

Two rules for the roundabouts:

Rule number 1 - Don't hit another car.

Rule number 2 - Don't get hit by another car.

Simple enough.

:laugh:

I guess it's not funny, but... :1rotfl::1rotfl::1rotfl:

:a20:

Y'all are crackin me up.

Thank you, that is very helpful to people new to roundabouts!!

You had to do this post, you did it on purpose right?........just to get them all riled up.:cus:

Yupper, time to wake up TV :cus: :cus: :cus: :cus:

Interesting Article and Audio about Roundabouts
 

How about a little side bet on the number of posts? BTW all posts will be similiar to the other 5 threads on roundabouts................no new information.

You may be right, but there are more and more people joining TOTV and moving/visiting here that don't even know we have roundabouts until they get here. Safety refreshers are never a bad idea, even in the form of another thread on an old subject. Some people don't know there are previous threads on a particular subject. Just my opinion.

Roundabout newbees
 

Roundabouts can be tricky to navigate, especially when speed is involved. Please keep in mind that newbees may be unfamiliar with the roads in TV and really unfamiliar with roundabouts, making it especially challenging for everyone. We ask for a "break" (no pun intended) when we are driving the roads you are all so familiar with. Yes, you will be impatient and perhaps mumble a few unkind words under your breath, but just remember you were there once too! And as for the golf cart paths? We'll need a break there too. I, for one, will be totally new to driving a golf cart around and will certainly be a slow poke for a bit, but better be safe than sorry. Just a heads up when we all arrive to be greeted by "the friendliest place around". :)

Can you give us advanced warning when you will be in the roundabouts and cart paths?:eek:

nah, even I didn't read THIS far in the thread!:evil6:

no problem, just do what everyone else does when they drive here...close your eyes! :22yikes:

You made me laugh! I'll put a sign on the back of the cart saying "give me a break, I'm new to The Villages"!!!

How About A Villager Learner's Sign on Carts/Cars?
 

The UK requires that new drivers mount a large red L on their vehicles to signify to other drivers that they are still learning. Perhaps, a parallel situation? Drivers new to The Villages would mount large roundabout circle on their vehicles until they pass a "roundabout" driving test. Impossible to make it happen, but it's a thought.

Don't worry if people pass you on the golf cart paths when you first move to TV. Several people passed me on the paths when I rented this year. I was in TV to enjoy myself; I was not in a race to get anywhere. And when I entered the roundabouts, I kept my eyes open and watched for the other cars and sudden lane changes by other drivers.

I close my eyes AND accelerate!

:laugh:

Soooo, YOU'RE the one

In the past I've seen lots of people (in the right hand lane) make that 3/4 left on me and I'm careful to look for it. But tonight someone made a 1/4 right on me from the inside lane. Took all my willpower not to intentionally drive him into oncoming traffic!!

From now on I enter alone!

ALWAYS be on the lookout, but just remember: 5/4 of people don't understand fractions.

I agree totally! The Villages is NOT the place for roundabouts. Too many of us have neck and shoulder problems that prevent us from turning our heads quickly to check for traffic. Eyesight can be diminished by now and some will even be experiencing much slower reaction times while driving. This is an elderly community, no matter how many of us do not feel old. Why was no thought given to how confusing a roundabout can be for seniors? Why is there a "left lane" in a roundabout when there is never a "left turn"? Perhaps roundabouts work in other parts of the world or in areas where there isn't an elderly population. Expecting a group of people, whose average age is over 66, to be able to navigate through these 2-lane circles is unrealistic. Add in the many, many visitors who come here every year who are not familiar with our streets, let alone roundabouts. Add in the "locals" AND residents whose mission it is to get from one area in The Villages to another in the shortest possible time. When I look at the big picture I see nothing but a recipe for disaster. If there HAD to be roundabouts here one lane would have been sufficient and would have prevented many, many of the accidents and near-misses we are experiencing every day. How easy it would be if all we had to do was yield to those in the roundabout and enter when it is safe to do so. All vehicles would be in the one and only "right lane" so there would be no cutting off as drivers try to exit from a left lane. The crux of the roundabout problem boils down to one main issue: Having a left lane when there are NO left turns, anywhere. I am no engineer but this makes absolutely no sense to me. All roundabouts need to be reworked to eliminate the left lane. We all would feel a whole lot safer and our visitors and guests would have a much easier time driving in this community. I realize from reading the many posts here that some residents feel that roundabouts are not a problem. They are a huge problem when you consider the age of our population and the fact that this is a retirement community. If you are lucky enough to have the reflexes, eyesight, and mental capacity that you had at 30 you are very fortunate and you are in a very tiny minority. The fact is that most of us are dealing with the problems of aging. Putting us in a roundabout, in a left lane that leads to no left turn is asking for accidents and injuries.

The roundabouts are not going to be changed. The two lanes were a county requirement due to the density of the development. Roundabouts are increasing around the country. There are just a few basic tenets to negotiating a roundabout.

1.. Entering: Enter a roundabout in the proper lane for the direction you will be heading. Right lane for right turn or straight (continuing on the current road). Left lane for continuing or turning left (3rd exit). Same as a regular intersection. Never enter a roundabout when there is traffic to your left, even if one lane is clear. Always approach a roundabout with the expectation you will have to yield, not that you will yield only if you absolutely have to.

2. In the roundabout: Do not change lanes except to exit at the third exit, which usually requires crossing the outside lane. Use your signals in case someone doesn't follow the rules above. Your side mirror is your friend.

3. Take it slow and watch for the other guy. Just basic defensive driving.

:popcorn:

That's a real gem.

How did you get that close to the offending driver? Yield?

:agree:Good advice

Hundreds of views and posts regarding roundabouts and it comes to this.
A very simple and understandable explanation. All the other offerings are a waste of time. Good Job!