The second lane is specifically for contractors to enter and exit the roundabout at any speed.

Not easy to describe.

I enter the circle at 6 oclock, circle and exit at 9 oclock. Only after I've exited onto the short runway of vis/res gates, can I legally merge into the right lane. Traffic coming from 12 oclock can enter and exit the roundabout in a second or so completing a right turn into the resident lane.

They are entering the lane to the resident gate at the same time I am trying to merge into it, moving from a position behind and right of me and into the classic blind spot. I am now physically ahead of them in the left lane trying to merge, and even though they entered the circle after me, once they've exited and are in the right lane, they claim the right of way, where a mere an instant before had looked as if a safe merge could be executed.

Where did this directive come from??

:ohdear::shocked:What difference does it make....?! Visitor or Resident gate! Just drive with caution and defensively and you will be fine..! Don''t make a big deal out of something that is fairly simple if you're paying attention!!

This just makes so much sense. Thanks.

It was a joke. That is the way they act.

Excellent! I totally agree! I always use turn signals also so others that may not be paying attention know what my intentions are! Alas turn signal use around here is almost none existent!, but that's another subject ;)

Your description makes perfect sense. You are describing someone entering the roundabout at 12:00 in a dangerous fashion maybe? They must give you room to pass the enter point knowing you may turn right.

I have not experienced that often (if at all). I look at it this way, if I have room to safely exit the round about from the left lane, no one will get to my blind spot. They cannot be that close or I could not safely exit for fear of right hooking them.

I merge to the right lane as soon as I am out of the roundabout. Truth be told I make my intentions pretty clear on my way OUT of the roundabout which is bending the "best practice", but IMO safer :throwtomatoes:.

I guess that some residents are too proud to be seen in a visitor lane.

This is without question the single most INCORRECT thing that can be done in a traffic circle! You are in effect, making a left hand turn - from the far outside lane - across all the other lanes of traffic.

The roundabouts should be 1 lane. All turns are right hand turns on a roundabout. HELLO

I never enter a round-a-bout when there is a car coming in either lane because you never know where the person on the inside lane intends to exit. Yield to those coming before you and there is no problem.

I just realized you were talking about exiting, not entering. But the same holds true - yield to those already in the circle because I believe it is legal to cross the dotted line to get into the lane you wish to exit from.

But they are not one lane and there are signs posted before that one that shows which is the proper lane to use for the road you wish to exit onto. To purposely use the wrong lane because you think it is more convenient or logical is the primary reason for vehicle conflict in the roundabouts.

The roundabouts are never going to be one lane. The guide details the proper lane usage. Those that think they know better than to follow the signs and guide are creating the problems.

And the comment about making a left turn from the right lane is accurate. It is best to consider a roundabout to be a regular intersection. To make a right turn, you would use the right lane entering it. To go straight, either lane. To make a left turn, use the left lane.

The people who moved from South New Jersey can tell you how to drive in a circle and how to exit !!!! When you are going to a gate-stay on the right lane, Oh Ya ! If you have TURN SIGNLES in your Car, Motorcycle or Golf cart PLEASE USE--USE THEM.

That's absolutely NOT what to do when you're going 3/4 the way around the circle. And if you hit someone exiting the inside lane, you are at fault.