[EdV]

Good points.

One of the reasons for taking the photos was to exercise my camera so it would be ready for me at the TOTV Crispers extravaganza. But more importantly it was a response to those that suggested I was wrong about how often the basic roundabout rules are broken.

But after all is said and done by all of us, the unfortunate conclusion is that the roundabouts are what they are and are unlikely to be changed, just like the people that use them.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by Lou and Carolyn C.

I understand the basic concept with regards to the Roundabout (RAB), however one thing does confuse me and I know I’ll be chastised by those who have “COMPLETE UNDERSTANDING” OF THE RAB, but here goes:

Say I’m approaching a RAB in the left lane and I know I will be exiting at the 3rd exit into a residential gate where there are two lanes, one for visitors and the other for residents, well being a resident I may choose to use the residence side of the gate, Right?? So if I’m exiting from the inside RAB lane toward the gate, which would be the left hand lane entering through the visitors side, here is the problem for me, as I would need to switch lanes and get in the right hand (residents side) in order to use my residence pass, I’m always nervous switching over to the right hand lane fearing that I’m going to get hit by another vehicle on my right. Signed Nervous Nelly!!

EXACTLY how I feel. I never approach any gate in the left lane because I NEED to be in the right lane to go through the resident entry.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by memason

Congratulations! In this example, you navigated the RAB properly . If you want to go through the resident gate, merge over to the right lane, after you've cleared the RAB.

However, you realize that you can go through either gate, right? Your gate pass works on either of the gates, so if you can't merge to the right, just use the left gate. In fact, it's sometimes faster to go through the left gate at busy gates, like St. Charles at Miona Rec. Center.

Going through the visitor's side at a manned gate, do the gate attendants expect you to stop to speak to them? I always feel as though I should stop for them.

[chuckinca]

Using the visitor gate doesn't mean you can't still use all the amenities.

You don't have to have a discussion with the gate attendant either.

.

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by Pturner

Wow! A roundabout thread with only five posts!

Um... what the heck was I thinking?

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by Pocadot55

I read somewhere that if you are in the right lane and bypass an exit you must be careful that the car in your left lane isn't exiting at the next exit. If he does and you broadside him, you will be at fault. I think that was in the paper last week. It's worth checking out. Everyone, please be careful. A few seconds may be the difference between ...........

I always make sure I stagger with other cars in the RAB. This way, the car in the left lane in the RAB with exit ahead of me, therefore I avoid an accident.

[FMF Doc]

Originally Posted by Pturner

Um... what the heck was I thinking?

[George Bieniaszek]

HA HA!! We are at over 140 posts regarding RAB's!!

Can we hit 200 posts???

[Pturner]

Originally Posted by kathy and al

At the risk of sounding totally uninformed, I need to ask when you might need to" make a left hand turn" at any roundabout and when might you be able to "go straight through" at any roundabout. Since both of these sound impossible, it would seem that the right hand lane is the only one to be in????

Hi Kathy and Al,
As Memason has wisely stated, approach the RAB as if it worked the same way as any other intersection-- because it does.

So...

• If you go 3/4 around the RAB, it's exactly the same as making a LEFT turn at any other type of intersection.
• If you exit the RAB onto the same road from which you entered it, it is the same as "going straight through" the intersection.

CMANN's earlier post is also succinct and worth repeating:

Originally Posted by CMANN

easiest roundabout rules.

Vehicles in the roundabout have the right-of-way.

Drive single file in the roundabout, no passing allowed.

When approaching your exit, always use your turn signal to let other drivers know you intend to exit.

[NJblue]

I recognize that things are not likely to change. I also recognize that if drivers do what they are supposed to do, the RABs are fairly safe. Further, I believe that even if drivers don't do what they are supposed to do, if you drive very defensively in a RAB, you're probably going to be OK.

With that said, I'm not sure I'm in agreement with the county that stipulated that dual lane RABs were essential for proper traffic flow. Where I used to live there was a community college whose main entrance was of a semi-busy county road. For years a traffic light was used to control traffic at the intersection and for years the backups would be horrendous and there were many very serious accidents at that intersection. They finally replaced the light with a single lane RAB - end of problem. The traffic flow is significantly smoother and safer and the single lane handles traffic ten times worse than anything we ever see in TV.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by EdVinMass

... I just went down to the El Camino/Morse roundabout and in the course of 7 minutes snapped these 19 drivers entering the roundabout with other vehicles already approaching.

I see nothing wrong with many of the photos you have presented. RABs are busy most times with traffic constantly coming around. How in the world is anyone going to get anywhere if they wait for the RAB to be completely vacant of any cars??? There are many RAB that have buildings in the middle which block your view of a vehicle that is at your 180 degree entry point.

Just curious...how long does it take you to drive from 466A to 466 on Buena Vista or Morse??? I would venture it takes you much longer to drive those stretches of road than it does the majority of the drivers here in TV. You can sit an wait for a VERY long time for a totally empty RAB.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by Pturner

When approaching your exit, always use your turn signal to let other drivers know you intend to exit.

Unfortunately, most drivers don't use directionals when exiting RABs....not that I have noticed. I always assume any car in the RAB with me will be exiting at any time...therefore, I drive very defensively in the RABs.

[coffeebean]

Originally Posted by NJblue

I recognize that things are not likely to change. I also recognize that if drivers do what they are supposed to do, the RABs are fairly safe. Further, I believe that even if drivers don't do what they are supposed to do, if you drive very defensively in a RAB, you're probably going to be OK.

With that said, I'm not sure I'm in agreement with the county that stipulated that dual lane RABs were essential for proper traffic flow. Where I used to live there was a community college whose main entrance was of a semi-busy county road. For years a traffic light was used to control traffic at the intersection and for years the backups would be horrendous and there were many very serious accidents at that intersection. They finally replaced the light with a single lane RAB - end of problem. The traffic flow is significantly smoother and safer and the single lane handles traffic ten times worse than anything we ever see in TV.

Seriously...if we all waited for the RAB to be totally void of any of car (which is what another poster insists we must do) then that is essentially treating the RAB as having a single lane. Where is the benefit for traffic flow of having two lanes in the RABs?

[EdV]

Originally Posted by coffeebean

Seriously...if we all waited for the RAB to be totally void of any of car (which is what another poster insists we must do) then that is essentially treating the RAB as having a single lane. Where is the benefit for traffic flow of having two lanes in the RABs?

Is that a collective groan I hear from the dual lane crowd?

[blessinn]

i think a bigger problem in roundabouts is people who do not seem to know the difference between Yield and Stop. Also, if you can't make a turn from your lane because of another car blocking you just circle around again... hardly a huge problem if you ask me.