[downeaster]

I have often wondered why a definitive explanation was never available. Well it is, for Sumter County anyway.

Here it is: http://www.districtgov.org/images/Wh...INAL070908.pdf

I believe this is much the same as most localities.

Caveat!!! Don't count on everyone observing these instructions. Most Villagers have their own interpretation of "Roundabout Etiquette" or the lack thereof.


DC

[Indy-Guy]

Check out this site about roundabouts.

http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/eesc/CAE/des.../mpg_index.htm

[Talk Host]

The information contained in the Olympia video surfaces here from time to time. Please be careful, as the information contained in it does not apply to the round-a-bouts in the Villages. Additionally, the rules for the round-a-bouts here seem to vary from location to location.

[Sidney Lanier]

The rules for roundabouts seem to vary from individual to individual as well....

[F16 1UB]

Vehicle requirements to navigate in the Roundabouts should consist of reinforced roll cage, 6 point seat belt, HANs (Head And Neck restraint) device. Rosary, Bible, or whatever else makes you feel safe. I can only imagine the traffic conditions come winter time. :yikes:

F16

[Donna]

Lets not forget your own personal Paramedic...

[Peachie]

By all means, Donna! I think roundabouts are a breeze... drive around the circle at high speed in the right land and save the left lane for swerving out of the way. ;D

[mac9]

I lived in NJ, the state of the original highway "circles." After years of accidents and complaints, NJ started removing the circles about 25 years ago. I was fascinated when I moved to TV that they were here. The same problems from NJ have emerged here. Very few drivers believe that those on the circle have the right of way. According to the Olympia site, they improve on congestion. Why do I find that so hard to believe?

[smalldog]

The Villages Florida
Smalldog Sez If you value your day and Vehicle hog the dividing line so some immature individual doesn't get all twisted and try to cut in front of you >
any horn blowers should be signaled with the Hawaiian good luck symbol ;D

[JohnN]

I've not had a bit of trouble in the roundabouts,
however I tend to drive slow, safe, and be plenty patient with those in a hurry.
As noted above, I think many individuals have their own interpretations of what's proper.

Now I've driven the european centrums, and I thought they were much wilder.
I'd close my eyes and hit the gas there!!!

[Talk Host]

Originally Posted by mac9

I lived in NJ, the state of the original highway "circles." After years of accidents and complaints, NJ started removing the circles about 25 years ago. I was fascinated when I moved to TV that they were here. The same problems from NJ have emerged here. Very few drivers believe that those on the circle have the right of way. According to the Olympia site, they improve on congestion. Why do I find that so hard to believe?

Did they replace them with those wonderufl "jug Handles" ;D

[downeaster]

Talk Host, for the uninitiated maybe you would explain what a "jug handle" is. As a former (twice) resident of the Garden State I am very familiar with them but hesitate to try to describe them with out graphics and I wouldn't know how to do that here.
BTW, I like roundabouts better for keeping traffic flowing. I am very familiar with there use in the UK as they are used extensively there. Over there they are all familiar with them and understand how to use them. That's not to say they don't have their share of idiots!

DC

[JohnN]

downeaster,
I'm not a NJ-ite but have driven there. From an outsider perspective, a jughandle seems to be a way to take 3 rights (via a curve - the handle) in order to make a left turn.

[mac9]

Yes, they did use jug handles. On most major highways, there are no left turns. One must make a right turn into a "jug handle" which then curves around and across the road from which you would have made a left turn. Sounds complicated, but it did seem to work. There seemed to be fewer accidents than that which had occured on the circles.

[ricknelli]

It would really be great if everyone in The Villages was aware of and adhered to the proper roundabout etiquette. The following url is a link to the Sumter County Roundabout Brochure which is standard in the State of Florida.

It should be distributed to every Villages resident.

http://www.districtgov.org/images/Wh...INAL070908.pdf